Top 25 Best Accounting Colleges and Schools for 2024

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If you’re looking to enter college and earn yourself an accounting diploma from one of the best accounting bachelor's programs online, you may be wondering where the best place would be to start this step in your academic career. If that’s the case, then you’re in the right spot. Not only have we listed the top colleges and universities for an accounting degree in the US, but you’ll also be able to compare them based on school size, tuition, graduation rate, etc. Take a look through our list and see if you can find the best school for you, whether it’s the most prestigious, the most likely to get you a job, or just the closest one to home.

Choosing the right institution to pursue an education in accounting is a substantial decision that can shape your career trajectory. The best accounting schools distinguish themselves through rigorous curricula that not only prepare accounting students for the CPA exam but also equip them with a comprehensive understanding of business principles and financial management. When you consider these top-tier programs, you're looking at colleges and universities that have earned their reputations for excellence through high placement rates in prestigious firms, expert faculty, and strong professional networks.

Your journey towards a successful career in accounting starts with selecting a program that aligns with your professional goals and learning style. Accredited institutions that rank highly for their accounting major programs often provide a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring that you are well-versed in the latest industry practices. Additionally, these premier schools offer a variety of specializations, from managerial accounting to auditing and tax accounting, which can enable you to tailor your educational experience to suit your interests and career aspirations.

It's important to assess each school's resources, such as career support services and alumni networks, as they can play a crucial role in your post-graduate success. The schools that come out on top in rankings typically facilitate substantial connections with the business world, thereby offering you a clear pathway to internships and employment opportunities. Deliberate on what each program has to offer and consider how it fits into your broader career plan, because the choice you make today can be instrumental in defining your future in the world of business and accounting.

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Top Accounting Schools Overview

Selecting the right accounting program is crucial for your educational and professional future. Top schools offer robust curricula and outstanding reputations which help launch successful careers. University HQ helps you find these top accounting colleges through our unique ranking system.

Program Rankings and Reputation

When you examine program rankings, you'll notice names like the University of Pennsylvania, Rice University, and the University of Michigan often at the top. Organization such as University HQ provide annual rankings, making it easier to identify which institutions stand out. The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan are often listed among the best for their accounting programs.

Diverse Accounting Degree Programs

The best schools, including those mentioned earlier, offer varying levels of accounting degrees. Whether you're seeking a bachelor's degree to start your career or aiming for a master's degree to deepen your expertise, these institutions cater to your academic needs. Traditionally, programs cover essential accounting major principles, with opportunities for specialization in areas like forensic accounting or international finance.

Financial Considerations

Understanding the costs associated with earning an accounting degree is vital. Tuition varies widely between colleges, so consider the return on investment. For example, programs like Brigham Young University may offer more affordable tuition. However, an institution like the University of Pennsylvania, while potentially more expensive, may provide broader networking opportunities and higher salary potential upon graduation.

Top 25 Best Campus Accounting Schools

1

Rice University

Score: 92.84

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,128
- Out-of-State: $58,128
Net Price: $19,902
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 8,672
Undergrad Students: 4,494
Graduate Students: 4,178
Grads Salary: $92,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

2

University of Pennsylvania

Score: 91.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,104
- Out-of-State: $66,104
Net Price: $26,123
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 96%
Total Enrollment: 28,201
Undergrad Students: 11,250
Graduate Students: 16,951
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

3

Washington and Lee University

Score: 90.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,525
- Out-of-State: $64,525
Net Price: $24,733
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 95%
Total Enrollment: 2,243
Undergrad Students: 1,867
Graduate Students: 376
Grads Salary: $90,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

4

Vanderbilt University

Score: 89.26

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,946
- Out-of-State: $63,946
Net Price: $25,606
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 93%
Total Enrollment: 13,710
Undergrad Students: 7,151
Graduate Students: 6,559
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

5

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Score: 89.21

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,228
- Out-of-State: $58,072
Net Price: $19,318
Acceptance Rate: 18%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 93%
Total Enrollment: 51,225
Undergrad Students: 32,695
Graduate Students: 18,530
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

6

University of Notre Dame

Score: 87.67

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,693
- Out-of-State: $62,693
Net Price: $28,474
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 96%
Total Enrollment: 13,105
Undergrad Students: 8,971
Graduate Students: 4,134
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

7

Washington University in St. Louis

Score: 87.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,982
- Out-of-State: $62,982
Net Price: $23,432
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 17,012
Undergrad Students: 8,132
Graduate Students: 8,880
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

8

University of Virginia

Score: 87.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,986
- Out-of-State: $58,014
Net Price: $19,469
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 95%
Total Enrollment: 26,082
Undergrad Students: 17,444
Graduate Students: 8,638
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

9

University of California-Irvine

Score: 87.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,237
- Out-of-State: $45,014
Net Price: $14,033
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 35,937
Undergrad Students: 28,662
Graduate Students: 7,275
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

10

University of Southern California

Score: 86.2

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State: $68,237
Net Price: $36,808
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 92%
Total Enrollment: 48,945
Undergrad Students: 20,699
Graduate Students: 28,246
Grads Salary: $92,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

11

University of Florida

Score: 85.87

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State: $28,659
Net Price: $11,740
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 90%
Total Enrollment: 55,211
Undergrad Students: 34,552
Graduate Students: 20,659
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

12

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Score: 85.65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State: $39,330
Net Price: $10,614
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 31,705
Undergrad Students: 20,029
Graduate Students: 11,676
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

13

Emory University

Score: 85.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,774
- Out-of-State: $60,774
Net Price: $26,680
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 90%
Total Enrollment: 14,841
Undergrad Students: 7,101
Graduate Students: 7,740
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

14

Lehigh University

Score: 85.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,180
- Out-of-State: $62,180
Net Price: $30,453
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 7,394
Undergrad Students: 5,624
Graduate Students: 1,770
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

15

University of Washington

Score: 85.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State: $41,997
Net Price: $10,603
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 52,319
Undergrad Students: 36,213
Graduate Students: 16,106
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

16

Villanova University

Score: 85.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,701
- Out-of-State: $64,701
Net Price: $34,837
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 10,383
Undergrad Students: 6,989
Graduate Students: 3,394
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

17

Georgetown University

Score: 85.11

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,081
- Out-of-State: $65,081
Net Price: $35,566
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 96%
Total Enrollment: 20,984
Undergrad Students: 7,900
Graduate Students: 13,084
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

18

New York University

Score: 85.08

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,438
- Out-of-State: $60,438
Net Price: $29,499
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 59,144
Undergrad Students: 29,401
Graduate Students: 29,743
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

19

University of California-Davis

Score: 84.49

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,247
- Out-of-State: $46,024
Net Price: $17,385
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Retention Rate: 92%

Graduation Rate: 86%
Total Enrollment: 39,679
Undergrad Students: 31,532
Graduate Students: 8,147
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

20

The University of Texas at Austin

Score: 84.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,678
- Out-of-State: $42,778
Net Price: $17,434
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 88%
Total Enrollment: 52,384
Undergrad Students: 41,309
Graduate Students: 11,075
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

21

University of Maryland

Score: 84.08

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,505
- Out-of-State: $40,306
Net Price: $16,210
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 40,792
Undergrad Students: 30,353
Graduate Students: 10,439
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

22

Binghamton University

Score: 83.94

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,363
- Out-of-State: $29,453
Net Price: $19,535
Acceptance Rate: 42%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 18,312
Undergrad Students: 14,402
Graduate Students: 3,910
Grads Salary: $90,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

23

Boston College

Score: 83.82

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $67,680
- Out-of-State: $67,680
Net Price: $30,559
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 15,287
Undergrad Students: 9,982
Graduate Students: 5,305
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

24

Purdue University

Score: 83.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State: $28,794
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

25

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Score: 83.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,205
- Out-of-State: $40,603
Net Price: $13,376
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 48,956
Undergrad Students: 36,306
Graduate Students: 12,650
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Academic Excellence and Curriculum

When choosing a school for your accounting degree program, the variety of majors and hands-on learning opportunities are pivotal in shaping your expertise and career readiness.

Accounting Majors and Specializations

Your journey in accounting starts with selecting a major or specialization that aligns with your career goals. Degree programs might include a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting, or even a PhD for those inclined toward academic research. Within these programs, courses cover an array of topics, from basic principles to advanced financial analysis.

Bachelor's Level: Fundamental accounting principles, tax accounting, auditing
MBA Level: Advanced management accounting, strategic cost analysis, international accounting
PhD Level: Research methodologies, statistical analysis in accounting

Undergraduate programs often offer study abroad opportunities, allowing you to understand accounting in a global context, which is invaluable in today's interconnected market.

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Internship and Hands-on Learning Opportunities

To enhance your employability, seek programs that incorporate internships or project-based learning. Internships provide you with practical experience, networking opportunities, and could potentially lead to job offers post-graduation.

Internship Examples:
- Big Four accounting firms
- Corporate finance departments
- Non-profit organizations

Hands-on projects may involve real-world case studies or simulations. Such experiential learning ensures you're not only theoretically knowledgeable but also proficient in applying accounting practices in professional settings.

When researching degree-level rankings or major-specific rankings, consider how well these programs integrate practical experiences within their curriculum, as these will be crucial to your development as an accounting professional.

Accounting Admissions and Enrollment

When you're exploring your options for the best accounting programs, understanding the admissions landscape is crucial. You'll encounter a range of acceptance rates and enrollment statistics that can influence your decision on where to apply.

Acceptance Rates and Enrollment Statistics

The acceptance rate of a college or university is a significant factor in the admissions process, as it indicates the competitiveness of the program. For instance, some prestigious institutions boast low acceptance rates, reflecting a high level of selectivity. Here's an example:

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton): Acceptance rate 6%
Undergraduate Enrollment: approximately 10,000 students

This can be compared with schools that have higher acceptance rates, possibly suggesting a less competitive or more inclusive admissions process.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Admissions

Your status as an in-state or out-of-state applicant may affect your admissions chances and tuition costs. In-state accounting students often benefit from lower tuition rates and potentially higher acceptance rates at publicly funded universities. Consider the following:

University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business): Favorable admissions rates and tuition for in-state students
California University of Pennsylvania: Offers both in-state and out-of-state enrollment options, with tuition costs varying accordingly

Public colleges and universities commonly have a mandate to prioritize in-state students, which can affect the admissions pool and makeup of the student body.

Campus Resources and Student Life

When choosing a university for accounting, consider how campus resources and student life can enrich your educational experience. Faculty support, advising quality, and extracurricular opportunities are pivotal factors that can impact your college decision.

Faculty and Advising

At the University of Notre Dame, the Mendoza College of Business prioritizes mentorship and guidance. You'll encounter:

A dedicated advising staff committed to your academic and career planning.
Faculty and staff who are experts in their fields, offering you a wealth of knowledge and real-world perspectives.

Advising at Notre Dame is more than scheduling classes; it's a comprehensive support system to help navigate your academic journey.

Extracurricular Opportunities and Networking

Your student life extends beyond the classroom. Notre Dame offers:

Numerous accounting clubs and business associations for networking.
Events like guest-speaker series, workshops, and seminars that connect you with professionals in the field.

Engaging in these activities enhances your resume and prepares you for the accounting profession through practical exposure and networking opportunities.

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Career Prospects and Outcomes for Graduates

When considering an accounting degree, your future career prospects and outcomes are crucial. Know that your path may lead to robust salaries and diverse career options, with certifications further enhancing your qualifications.

Alumni Success and Salaries

At top business schools like Villanova and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, you can see a high placement rate for accounting graduates. Salaries, a direct indicator of success, vary based on the school and the geographical location. For example, within six months of graduation, Villanova University's Class of 2022 had a placement rate of 99%. Additionally, at universities with prestigious accounting programs, such as the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, alumni often command competitive salaries reflecting the quality of their education.

Certifications and Continuing Education

After completing your degree at an accredited accounting school, obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license can significantly elevate your career and salary prospects. Continuing education is vital for maintaining certifications like the CPA, as the accounting field regularly updates its practices and standards. Moreover, additional certifications like CMA (Certified Management Accountant) may cater to specialized career paths within accounting and finance.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

When pursuing an undergraduate accounting program, understanding your financial aid options and available scholarships is essential. Financial aid often includes loans, grants, and work-study funds, which can help offset the cost of tuition and fees.

Loans are borrowed funds that you must repay, typically with interest, after graduation. Conversely, grants are forms of aid that you do not need to repay. Common grant sources are federal and state governments, as well as individual colleges. The type and amount of grants available can vary significantly between institutions. Additionally, work-study programs allow you to take on part-time work related to your field of study, while earning money to cover your educational expenses.

Scholarships present another avenue for financial assistance. Many schools and external organizations offer scholarships based on merit, financial need, or specific criteria such as your field of study or demographics. For example, some accounting departments and professional societies provide scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 to eligible students.

To determine your net price—the actual amount you'll pay after financial aid—use the net price calculators available on many schools' websites. Moreover, up to 45% of applicants to certain accounting programs may receive some financial assistance, making top schools more affordable.

Types of Aid	Description	Repayment Required
Loans	Borrowed money to cover educational costs.	Yes
Grants	Financial gifts based on need or other criteria.	No
Scholarships	Merit or need-based awards given by various entities.	No
Work-Study	Part-time work for students, contributing to their income.	No

Ensure to review each school's financial aid policies and scholarship opportunities to capitalize on the aid available to you.

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25 Best Accounting Schools and Universities in the U.S.