If you’re interested in business, enjoy crunching numbers, and have a talent for solving problems, accounting may be a strong option for your educational future. Graduates from accounting degree programs find successful careers as accountants, accounting managers, and forensic accountants, as well as corporate controllers, auditors, and chief financial officers (CFO). In 2022, the average starting salary for careers requiring a bachelor’s degree in accounting was $78,000.
The cost of an accounting degree can vary widely from one school to the next. In 2022, the average cost of tuition and fees for a four-year accounting degree program was $16,618, while postgraduate degrees in accounting cost an average of $19,749. These fees may be higher if you plan to live on campus or need to purchase supplies, but ultimately, the cost of a degree in accounting is an investment in your future career.
How to Choose an Accounting Degree Program
Choose your area of study
Accounting degrees are available as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, so think about how you’d like to spend your time at your chosen institution — and what you’d like to do after you graduate. The coursework and career paths for accounting degrees generally point to two different tracks: certified public accountant (CPA) and master of business administration (MBA).
CPA accounting tracks involve more focused math and computer science coursework. These accounting degree programs come through a college of science and tend to include degrees such as:
- Associate of Science (AS) in accounting
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in accounting
- Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc or BAcy)
- Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA)
- Master of Science in Taxation (MST)
- Master of Accountancy (MAcc or MAcy)
- Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc or MPAcy)
Students who earn an accounting degree through a college of arts learn to use a broader application of accounting in the business world. They take more electives and courses in liberal arts to prepare for a career in business administration. These degrees include:
- Associate of Arts (AA) in accounting
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in accounting
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BBA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in accounting
Graduates of accounting degree programs may also earn professional certifications to work in specialized positions like CPA, certified financial analyst (CFA), certified internal auditor (CIA), or certified management accountant (CMA).
Research schools and programs
To ensure that your time, money, and hard work are well-spent, choose an accounting degree program from an accredited institution. Programmatic accreditation agencies such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) verify that accounting programs within a business school are committed to high levels of academic integrity and student success. For agencies that accredit an entire institution, consult the U.S. Department of Education’s list of institutional accrediting agencies.
Students who want to take math-based accounting programs should inquire about the mathematics and computer science classes at their chosen school. For students interested in pursuing a future MBA, learn more about the school’s business classes. Research each program’s faculty and successful graduates whose careers you’d like to emulate.
Also, consider practical factors in your choice. If you can attend school full-time but need to live on campus, look into housing options at your desired institutions. If you’re a part-time student looking to advance your career with an accounting degree, consider a school with night classes or flexible schedules.
Narrow your list to two or three programs. If you can, tour each school — walk through the campus and ask questions to tour guides, current students, and advisors. Talk to an admissions counselor or program representative about the requirements of your degree and how to best succeed at their school. If you can’t visit a school in person, take a virtual tour and stay in email contact with the admissions office.
Prepare for tests and applications
When you’re ready to apply to one or more programs, visit the school’s admissions page for a list of requirements and a link to the application. Make sure that your test scores (including the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT) meet the requirements. Retake any tests as necessary, and ensure that your verbal scores are as competitive as your math scores to set yourself apart from fellow applicants with lower verbal scores.
Talk to your current school to get letters of recommendation and sealed transcripts of prerequisite programs. If you’re currently working in an accounting-related job, ask for a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or employer that addresses your accounting skills. Any experience you have in the field is an indicator that you’ll succeed in an accounting degree program.
Select your program
When it’s time to choose between two or more programs, revisit your career aspirations and interests. Compare each program’s coursework and faculty. Consider which program best meets your needs and preferences, including factors like cost, location, and special features like a strong alumni organization or certain level of prestige.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Estimate how much your accounting degree program will cost, including tuition, fees, room and board, educational supplies, and any other expenses that may come up.
If you need help paying for your degree, see how much financial aid you can receive with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If you have a job, ask if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program. For information about other funding options, contact your school’s financial aid office.
Best 50 Accredited Accounting Degree Programs
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
This list features some of the best accounting degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, regionally accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education. Many of the options on our list also have programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), both reputable organizations that assess business programs for educational excellence.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for on-campus students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of accounting degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From an Accounting Degree Program?
Accounting degree programs build students’ critical thinking skills with courses in financial analysis, taxation, risk management, and accounting principles. Two-year accounting degree programs focus on bookkeeping and clerking skills to prepare students for jobs in these fields, while four-year programs prepare students to pass the CPA exam and work in higher-profile accounting positions, such as auditors or chief financial officers (CFO).
Postgraduate accounting degrees take one to two years to complete, and they apply previous accounting experience and skills to advanced accounting and business concepts. Students who earn an MSA, MBA, or any other master’s degree in accounting leave their schools prepared to be industry leaders.
Potential courses you’ll take in an accounting degree program
- Financial Accounting. Students master technical accounting skills, such as financial statement analysis and financial reporting. They work with income statements and statements of cash flows to make inferences about the relationship between business and accounting.
- Taxation. Study the foundations of taxation, income tax, taxation of transactions, and the multiple ways tax laws can affect how a business runs. The scope of a taxation course ranges from small businesses to large corporations, applying the same concepts at each level.
- Business Law. In a business law course, students examine how business enterprises and ethics work within the legal framework. The curriculum in this area addresses business law in the context of real estate, contracts, torts, and the Constitution.
- Auditing. Students apply the foundations of accounting to external and internal auditing processes. They make connections between these practices as they study auditing principles and reporting requirements.
- Information Systems. For students pursuing careers in financial reporting, an information systems course focuses on using databases, financial software, and other informational technology to analyze financial transactions.
Accounting Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an accounting degree program?
Application requirements and deadlines for specific accounting degree programs are usually listed on a school’s website. Common requirements include minimum GPA and test scores, transcripts, a personal essay, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
If you have any questions about the application process, contact the admissions office at your prospective school. They may have additional recommendations for your specific accounting degree program — and ways to set your application apart from others.
How much does an accounting degree cost?
The cost of your accounting degree program depends on the school you choose. Tuition and fees for an associate degree in accounting cost an average of $3,859 in 2022. The average cost for a bachelor’s degree was $16,618, and the average cost of a master’s degree was $19,749. Other costs associated with an accounting degree may include room and board, transportation, materials and supplies, and general living expenses.
How long does it take to earn an accounting degree?
It takes two to six years to complete a full accounting program, depending on the level of the degree you’re earning. Associate degree programs require 60 credit hours and last between two and three years, while 120-credit bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to complete. Master’s degrees in accounting take two years (30 to 60 credit hours) after a four-year bachelor’s degree, unless you take an accelerated one-year program.
These timelines are adjustable depending on your schedule needs. Part-time accounting degree programs take longer to complete, while taking additional credit hours during a grading period can accelerate your program time.