Best Accounting Degree Programs of 2023
All sectors of the economy need accountants and auditors to manage, analyze, and track financial records. Prepare for a career as an accountant or choose to practice a specialty such as risk management or auditing information technology with a degree in accounting.
Why This Matters
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ACCOUNTANTS WILL EXPERIENCE 6% GROWTH IN THE NEXT DECADE
Globalization, paired with complex regulatory and tax systems, is expected to keep the demand for accountants consistent, with a growth rate of 6% projected over the next ten years.
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THE AVERAGE ACCOUNTANT SALARY IS OVER $75,000
Workers whose jobs consist of accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services earn, on average, $77,250. This is over $30,000 more than the average for all occupations.
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THERE WILL BE 1,531,600 ACCOUNTANTS IN THE UNITED STATES BY 2031
Demand for accountants means there’s a good chance you will be able to find an entry-level position in the field. Accountants work for both the public and private sectors.
Our Research
This list features some of the best accounting degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are available at accredited institutions, including The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), both reputable organizations who assess business programs for educational excellence and a commitment to quality education.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student 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 the 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..
The Top 50 Accounting Degree Programs to Consider
What You Should Know About This Degree
When considering a degree in accounting, you might also look into earning a finance degree. Finance deals with the movement of money, whereas accounting handles the tracking of money. Both programs include coursework in accounting, economics, and statistics. If you’re interested in budgeting and long-term financial planning, you should consider a degree in finance. If you want to be a certified public accountant, it will be helpful to study accounting because of the additional preparation it gives you for the CPA exam.
Every accountant who files a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission must hold a CPA certification. The certification process includes passing a national exam and meeting state requirements. All states use the CPA exam administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The certified management accountant designation is awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants and requires passing an exam and pursuing continuing education coursework.
There’s upward mobility in accounting, and entry-level accountants can advance to senior positions. Some high-profile employers prefer that their accountants have a master’s degree in accounting or business administration as well.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching accounting programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Most accounting degree programs require students to have at least a high school diploma or GED. You must also show proficiency in mathematics, and previous coursework in statistics and business can provide an advantage.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? An online accounting degree includes 120 credits and takes about four years to complete. Associate degree programs take one to two years to complete and cover basic accounting, taxation, and financial analysis. Although you’ll have the skills for some entry-level accounting positions, you won’t be able to pursue graduate studies with this degree.
While researching programs, be sure to keep track of application deadlines and any additional items that need to be sent along to show your qualifications. Information about deadlines and required documents can be found in the admissions area of the school’s website.
It’s important to consider your accounting degree’s cost and submit any applications for financial aid on time. If you’re looking for financial support, examine other funding opportunities such as scholarships and grants.