Best Master’s in Accounting Programs of 2023

University of Florida's Master of Accounting program is geared toward students with a strong undergraduate background in accounting who want to take their skills and employability to the next level. As a student enrolled in UF's Master of Accounting program, you can choose one of three tracks: Auditing, Taxation, or no concentration. The no concentration track enables you to decide whether to pursue a more generalist curriculum or whether to assemble a set of electives that suits your particular accounting interests. Classes are held during the day on a full-time basis at the campus in Gainesville, Florida. Upon completing the master's program, you will have met the requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam in Florida.

Franklin University's esteemed Master of Science in Accounting is affordable by design. As of 2022, the entire program costs $20,100 to complete, which is much more affordable than many comparable programs. But when selecting a graduate program, it's important to consider not just cost but also value. Franklin's Master of Science in Accounting is IACBE-accredited, takes 17 months to complete, is taught by faculty who are real-world practitioners, and can be completed entirely online. Depending on your professional goals, you can choose to pursue one of two concentrations: Financial Operations Focus or Taxation. Franklin partners with many workplaces to make their tuition even more affordable, so it's possible that your employer or affiliation with a professional organization can lower your tuition burden further.

Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business offers a high-quality Master of Accounting degree program that focuses not just on accounting principles but also key business skills and concepts. As a Master of Accounting student, you will complete foundational and advanced coursework in accounting and get to choose among dozens of business electives. This helps you tailor your learning to your individual goals and enter the job market as a more well-rounded, dynamic candidate. Ohio State's program prioritizes relationship cultivation and service in the community. Twice a year, all enrolled students, faculty, staff, and local accounting professionals (alumni included) gather to perform a day of service in the Columbus community.

University of Virginia's Master of Science in Accounting program is a nine-month, 30-credit, STEM-designated program that numerous media outlets have recognized for its excellence. In 2017, Public Accounting Report ranked University of Virginia's program #2 in the Top 25 Master's in Accounting Rankings for Schools with Fewer Than 17 Full-Time Accounting Faculty. In 2021, TFE Times ranked the program #7 of Best Master's in Accounting programs, and in 2019, NASBA Report ranked it #13 in the First-Time CPA Pass Rate category (out of 758 institutions). From the outset of the program, you can choose to specialize in financial reporting and assurance or tax consulting, making your degree as career-relevant as possible. You can also take part in UVA's storied tradition of student-run organizations that span nearly every interest.

North Carolina State's Master of Accounting program boasts a 96% to 100% job placement rate, with most, if not all, students securing a job by graduation. The program is accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and is STEM-designated. The curriculum centers on experiential learning, ensuring that you know how to link theory and practice. You can choose between two career tracks - the public accounting track and business and industry track - and you have the further option to choose a specialization as well: tax strategy, information technology, or enterprise risk management. Throughout the program, you can work closely with a career counselor and faculty mentors to help you chart your professional path. At the start of the school year, you can participate in a one-week intensive data analysis bootcamp.

Michigan State University's slogan for their Master of Science in Accounting program is "accelerate your career in one year." A year truly can make a big difference in your employability and earning potential when you use the time to earn a career-oriented degree like MSU's Master of Science in Accounting. This on-campus program offers rolling admissions and three start times per year, so you won't need to wait long when you're ready to begin. The program has a placement rate of 92% and is a targeted recruiting school for Big 4 accounting firms and other highly regarded national and regional companies. Approximately 80% of MSU's graduates pass the CPA exam on the first try compared with 54% nationally.

Texas A&M's Mays Business School offers a high-quality Master of Science in Accounting degree that allows you to choose one of two tracks: Assurance Services/Information Management or Tax Consulting/Financial Planning. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas A&M's program #13 nationally among public universities, and the school boasts an 79.4% first-time pass rate for the CPA exam compared with the national rate of 54%. As a Texas A&M student (and eventually an alumnus), you get to join the powerful Aggie Network, which can continue to open doors at any stage of your career, even long after graduation.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis offers a Master of Science in Accounting through the esteemed Kelley School of Business. The degree can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, so it could be a good fit if you want an on-campus program you can complete alongside a full- or part-time job. In fact, IUPUI's program builds outside work experience into the curriculum through its Learning in a Professional Environment (LIPE), which enables you to earn up to three credit hours for accounting-related work experience you gain while earning your master's in Accounting. Besides the required core courses, you get to customize your degree path by choosing from elective options in accounting, business, and/or taxation.

Florida State University offers several different degree paths, depending on your goals and previous education. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting or another closely related field, you can pursue a one-year Master of Science in Accounting. If you majored in a field unrelated to accounting as an undergraduate, then you can, in collaboration with FSU's advisors, design a suitable learning path to complete the required foundational accounting courses before formally beginning the master's program. If you are an FSU undergraduate studying accounting, you can also look into the Bachelor of Science/Master of Accounting Pathway, an accelerated program for high-achieving FSU accounting students in their junior year that allows students to complete graduate coursework while you're still earning your bachelor's degree. This can save you both time and money.

University of Maryland's School of Business has a Master of Science in Accounting program that strongly emphasizes advanced concepts and technology. You learn about artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, cybersecurity, machine learning, MindBridge Analytics, Alteryx, Microsoft SQL, and much more. You can even choose a specialized career path and further tailor the curriculum to your intended profession. Options include Public Accounting, Audit Analytics, and Tax Analytics. UMD has an outstanding 100% placement rate for both domestic and international graduates. As a student, you have access to one-on-one CPA advising and can take courses that can be applied toward the CPA requirement. Many recruiters from top-name accounting firms visit UMD and hire graduates of the program.