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The Best 81 Accounting Degree Programs in 2024

January 26, 2024 | Admin

Online Accounting Degrees
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In order to provide prospective students with the best chance at having a great education, we have compiled this list of the top accounting degree programs in the nation. Some schools may excel at online programs while others may focus exclusively on the traditional, on-campus aspect of higher education. Regardless of the delivery format, these schools excel at providing a quality education for their students.

Online schooling programs are becoming more and more accessible, providing students great flexibility in earning a degree. The ability to access schoolwork and classes online whenever schedules permit, allows students to earn an income or to juggle a family while still going to school.  Learn what’s the difference between accounting and finance.

Top 5 Accounting Degree Programs

Rank School Location
1Penn State World CampusState College, Pennsylvania
2The University of MemphisMemphis, Tennessee
3Auburn UniversityAuburn, Alabama
4Colorado State University – GlobalAurora, Colorado
5Mercer University Atlanta, GA

Although online bachelor programs demand great self-discipline, they can also provide a very rewarding experience. Many top programs certified by highly esteemed accreditations offer associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting which will prepare students to succeed in a career as an accountant, auditor, budget analyst, CFO, and more. The following is a brief overview of the best accounting schools in the US listed in no particular order. Without further ado…

The Best 81 Accounting Degree Programs

1

Penn State World Campus

  • State College, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 38%
penn state world campus

Penn State World Campus is one of the best online schools for accounting. It is the official online program offered in connection with the University of Penn State. The University offers a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an 18 credit emphasis in accounting for a deeper understanding of financial accounting and managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, and systems and controls. Penn State’s same renowned professors who teach on-campus classes will teach the courses offered online. Students are required to earn 120 credits to graduate. Penn State offers extensive financial aid options. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business recognizes this as a top accounting program.

School Overview

Tuition: $555 per credit hour or $6,742 per semester (undergraduate)
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2

The University of Memphis

  • Memphis, Tennessee
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
University of Memphis

The University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business and Economics offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in accounting. Students can complete this degree entirely online, or through a combination of taking online and on-campus classes. The school will also accept a limited number of transfer credits from other universities. Online orientation/training classes and other resources are offered online to prepare students. The University of Memphis is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

School Overview

Tuition: $420 per credit hour (online)
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3

Auburn University

  • Auburn, Alabama
  • Graduation Rate: 75%
Auburn University online accounting degree

At Auburn University students can earn their Bachelor of Science in accounting and Master of Accountancy (MAcc) and have the option of taking classes either online or on campus. The online B.S. in accounting degree is specifically designed for working professionals who want to prepare for the CPA exam or are looking to change career paths and already have an AACSB accredited business degree. In only 30 semester hours (or five semesters) these students can complete the online B.S. in accounting at Auburn University while working full-time.

School Overview

Tuition: $775 (undergraduate) or $875 (graduate) per credit hour
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4

Colorado State University – Global

  • Aurora, Colorado
Colorado State University-Global Campus online accounting degree

Colorado State University – Global offers students a Bachelor of Science in accounting that will help them expand their professional horizons by gaining professional knowledge in legal compliance, ethics, leadership, and more. The ACBSP accredited program is available entirely online and consists of 17 three-credit core courses as part of a full 120-credit bachelor’s degree. There are 20 online specializations accounting students can choose from that are 15 credits each.

School Overview

Tuition: $350 per credit hour (undergraduate)
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5

Mercer University

  • Atlanta, GA
Mercer University online accounting degree

Mercer University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting that requires a total of 120 credits for students to graduate. There are both an on-campus and an online/evening option available. Students will take classes such as Accounting Information Systems, Principles of Management, Macroeconomics, Tax Accounting, and Auditing among others. Mercer also has a Master of Accountancy degree students may pursue. Mercer’s student-to-faculty ratio is below the national average, sitting at 13 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,190 per credit hour (on-campus full-time undergraduate)
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6

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

  • Birmingham, Alabama
  • Graduation Rate: 52%
University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama offers a bachelor’s degree in accounting and will accept up to 90 transfer credits from another accredited college or university. Students can complete their accounting degree in as few as 73 credit hours. The accounting diploma does not differentiate between online students and on-campus students, and UAB invites all of its students to attend graduation on campus. After completion, accounting students should be prepared to take the CPA, CISA, CIA, CFE, and CMA exams. The university also offers a master’s program for those who want to further their education.

School Overview

Tuition: $347-$437 per credit hour (depending on undergraduate or graduate status)
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7

Northeastern University

  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Graduation Rate: 84%
Northeastern University online MBA programs

Northeastern University, located in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a Bachelor of Science in finance and accounting management. The university requires 163 quarter hours for graduation and anticipates that full-time students will complete the degree in four years. This unique program allows accounting major students to customize their education according to preference by taking elective courses in taxation, finance strategy, international finance, and accounting information systems. Northeastern is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

School Overview

Tuition: about $378 per credit hour
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8

Emporia State University

  • Emporia, Kansas
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
Emporia State University online accounting degree

Emporia State University’s School of Business is accredited by the AACSB, an honor less than 5 percent of business schools worldwide get to showcase. This lends some prestige to its Bachelor of Science in business in accounting degree as well as its 30-hour Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program. Only the master’s program is available online. Several class examples include Accounting Information Systems, Income Taxation of Individuals, Auditing, and Cost Accounting.

School Overview

Tuition: $3,393 per semester (undergraduate)
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9

Regis University

  • Denver, Colorado
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
regis university

Regis University offers a unique program to students who want to accelerate their accounting education. It has one of the best accounting graduate schools in the country. Students can complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees together at an accelerated and more affordable accounting degree. Undergraduate students are required to complete 128 credits to graduate and students who choose to combine their undergraduate and graduate degree are required to complete 152 credits to earn both degrees. The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association both accredit Regis University.

School Overvew

Tuition: $1,102 per credit hour (part-time undergraduate)
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10

Lehigh University

  • Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 89%
Lehigh University online accounting degree

Lehigh University has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting that will help students prepare for work in the accounting field. During the sophomore year of the undergraduate program, students can participate in summer and winter leadership programs and externships to familiarize students with career options. The summer after junior year will find Lehigh accounting majors typically participating in well-paid internships that lead to entry-level jobs upon graduation. Lehigh also has several special programs that can augment the accounting program including the Conference on Accounting Professionalism, The Accounting Club, Beta Alpha Psi, and the Segal Speaker Series.

School Overview

Tuition: $52,480 per year
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11

Northern Illinois University

  • DeKalb, Illinois
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
northern illinois university online accounting degree

Northern Illinois University offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy but is most recognized for its 30-credit Master of Accounting Science (Leadership) program. This program works to combine professional accounting knowledge with the leadership and professional skills needed to be successful in a variety of career paths. More than one-third of enrolled students receive graduate assistantships where they work with accounting faculty doing research or teaching classes. These students receive a monthly stipend and carry a partial tuition waiver.

School Overview

Tuition: $349 per credit hour (part-time undergraduate)
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12

University of Houston – Victoria

  • Victoria, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 52%
University of Houston-Victoria online accounting degree

The University of Houston – Victoria offers students a 120-credit Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. The required business core classes are available online, though the accounting classes themselves will need to be taken on the Victoria or Katy campuses. Students wishing to meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam can pursue additional education by taking UHV’s global MBA program with an emphasis in accounting.

School Overview

Tuition: $198 per credit hour (undergraduate); $333 per credit hour (graduate)
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13

DeSales University

  • Center Valley, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
DeSales University online accounting degree

DeSales University is a medium-sized, private, four-year Catholic university. Its online accounting degree has a total of 120 required credits, but many students don’t know that DeSales actually accepts up to 75 transfer credits and lets students earn credits for prior experience. Examples of required courses include Corporate Financial Reporting, Federal Income Taxation, Auditing,  and Managerial Accounting. DeSales’ student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1 sits below the national average.

School Overview

Tuition: $474 per credit
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14

Rider University

  • Lawrence Township, New Jersey
  • Graduation Rate: 66%
Rider University online accounting degree

Rider University offers high-quality accounting programs at the undergraduate and graduate level and offers a concentration in business forensics for bachelor’s students and in forensic accounting for master’s students. Both the business and accounting programs are accredited by AACSB International, an honor few business schools can claim throughout the world. Students looking for a more flexible option can pursue Rider’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree online which can be completed in 16 months.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,180 (part-time undergraduate) or $1,060 (graduate) per credit
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15

Lakeland University

  • Plymouth, Wisconsin
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
lakeland university online accounting degree

Lakeland University has been nationally recognized several times for its Bachelor of Arts in accounting degree which is available at all LU centers as well as online. It requires 60 credits of accounting and business courses on top of university core classes. Several required courses include Federal Taxation of Individual, Cost Accounting, Marketing Principles, and Advanced Financial Reporting. Lakeland University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1 and over 95 percent of students are working or pursuing a higher degree in six months or less after graduation.

School Overview

Tuition: $485 per credit (online undergraduate)
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16

Lipscomb University

  • Nashville, Tennessee
  • Graduation Rate: 58%
Outdoor view of college building

Lipscomb University offers students an incredible undergraduate degree in accounting which will help students attain the outstanding academic credentials needed to sit for the CPA exam. Lipscomb’s accounting program is one of the most respected programs in Tennessee and one that has long-standing partnerships with some of the largest firms in the country. There’s a 100 percent placement rate for accounting graduates which allows students the opportunity to join other recent accounting grads who have earned a job and master’s degree, right out of the gate.

School Overview

Tuition: $16,040 per semester (undergraduate)
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17

Sacred Heart University

  • Fairfield, Connecticut
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
Sacred Heart University online accounting degree

At Sacred Heart University students can pursue a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in accounting. Students who know they want to get both can apply for the accelerated BS/MSA program that will help them achieve their goal in five years instead of the traditional six. The master’s degree in accounting offers a concentration in forensic accounting and international accounting and can be taken in a blended online and on-campus format.

School Overview

Tuition: $600 (part-time, undergraduate) or $905 (graduate) per credit hour
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18

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

  • Pembroke, North Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
University of North Carolina at Pembroke

The Association for Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recognizes the University of North Carolina at Pembroke as one of the top programs in the United States. Students are required to take 24 credit hours of accounting specific classes. The program is designed to prepare students to take the CPA exam in North Carolina upon graduation. Students will also be prepared to start at an entry level in public, private, or governmental accounting or to further their education in a graduate program.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,801 per semester (resident, 12+ credits)
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19

Fairfield University

  • Fairfield, Connecticut
  • Graduation Rate: 82%
fairfield university online accounting degree

Fairfield University has both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in accounting. The undergraduate degree will prepare students for careers in public and private accounting, internal auditing, and government and not-for-profit accounting among a wide range of corporate positions. The graduate degree is a full-time, cohort program that gives students the option to choose between an assurance or a taxation track. It requires a total of 30 credits and will help students with an undergraduate degree meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam.

School Overview

Tuition: $725 per hour (undergraduate, part-time) or $925 per credit hour (graduate)
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20

Brescia University

  • Owensboro, Kentucky
  • Graduation Rate: 28%
Brescia University Online accounting degree

Brescia University’s 128-credit Bachelor of Science in accounting is available online and most courses are offered in an accelerated eight-week format. This program design was built specifically with working adult students in mind. BU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and some of the required classes include Managerial Accounting, Auditing, Management Information Systems, and Financial Concepts. Detail-oriented students looking for a stable occupation with room to grow would do well to consider this accountancy program.

School Overview

Tuition: $425 per credit hour
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21

Grand Valley State University

  • Allendale Charter Township, Michigan
  • Graduation Rate: 66%
Grand Valley State University online colleges in michigan

Grand Valley State University provides a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in accounting that supplies students with a solid foundation for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). That foundation will also help them with career opportunities in corporate accounting, auditing and taxation, and management of business, government and nonprofit organizations. To meet the required hours of coursework to sit for the CPA, students can pursue the Master of Science in accounting or the specialized Master of Science in taxation degrees offered by GVSU’s Seidman College of Business.

School Overview

Tuition: $498-$525 per credit our (part-time undergraduate)
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22

Texas Wesleyan University

  • Fort Worth, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
texas wesleyan university online accounting degree

Texas Wesleyan University has a 124-credit Bachelor’s of Business Administration with an accounting major that will have students taking classes such as Cost Accounting, Auditing, and Federal Income Taxation among others. TWU also has a certificate program for those who already have a BBA who wish to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Students will take advanced accounting courses that are required by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) in order to sit for the CPA exam. Some credits can be transferred for students who are receiving the accounting certificate and received a BBA from a different college or university in the United States.

School Overview

Tuition: $952 per credit hour
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23

Berea College

  • Berea, Kentucky
  • Graduation Rate: 63%
berea college online accounting degree

Berea College offers students a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. For students looking to be a public accountant and take the CPA exam, Berea offers students the option to extend their undergraduate studies for an additional term or two in order to meet the 150-hour requirement and become eligible for certification. Admission to Berea College is highly competitive, but once in students will benefit from a phenomenal student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: Free
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24

Ohio Dominican University

  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
Ohio Dominican University online accounting degree

Ohio Dominican University is a Catholic liberal arts university that offers a Bachelor of Science, a minor, and certificate in accounting. Students who pursue the 120-credit bachelor’s degree have the option of choosing an auditing or taxation specialization. The program is available on campus as well as online or in the evenings to best accommodate adults in continuing education who have a need for a more flexible schedule. ODU also has an MBA 4 + 1 option for students who wish to receive their B.S. and MBA in five years. ODU’s student-to-faculty ratio sits below the national average at 13 to 1, allowing students more quality one-on-one time with their professors, and has been considered a military friendly school for nine consecutive years.

School Overview

Tuition: $720 per credit hour (undergraduate)
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25

Trinity University

  • San Antonio, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 77%
Students walking on college campus outdoors

Trinity University offers students a five-year accounting program which includes a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Science in accounting. At Trinity, students will start to engage with the accounting profession during their junior year, with a series of student-firm events and special topics courses that educate students about the many opportunities in the profession. Most accounting students at Trinity serve paid internships with the Big Four and other national firms and accept their permanent employment offers prior to applying for and beginning their fifth year of study. Once started, the rigorous master’s program can be completed in two semesters.

School Overview

Tuition: $41,344 per year
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26

Loyola Marymount University

  • Los Angeles, California
  • Graduation Rate: 83%
Loyola Marymount University online accounting degree

Students at Loyola Marymount University can receive their Bachelor’s of Science in accounting and can even go on to get their Master’s of Science in accounting if they so choose. The bachelor’s program requires students to complete 126-130 credits and has an 80 percent success rate in helping graduates start their graduate studies or careers in accounting at entry-level professional positions. A unique characteristic of LMU’s Department of Accounting is the Paul A. Grosch Lecture Series that they organize, which brings prominent executives and local business leaders to campus to recount their experiences and share their knowledge on some of the biggest issues in accounting, ethics and global business today.

School Overview

Tuition: $45,460 per year (full-time undergraduate)
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27

Northwestern College

  • Orange City, Iowa
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
online colleges in iowa

Northwestern College’s bachelor’s degree in accounting is built upon a liberal arts approach and requires 52-54 credits on top of the general education course requirements. The CPA exam pass rates of NWC’s accounting graduates are consistently among Iowa’s best. Students in this program will take classes including Cost Accounting, Individual Income Tax, Auditing, Entity Tax and Law, and Business Law, among others. NWC has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $650 for students taking 1-5 credits, $950 for students taking 6-11 credits
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28

Florida Tech Online

  • Melbourne, Florida
Florida Tech Online

Florida Tech offers a bachelor’s degree in accounting online. Students can specialize their education in various concentrations including cost accounting, auditing, compensation and benefits, and more. The program also helps students tailor their education according to their interests by allowing students to choose 15 credit hours from various elective courses. The institution is recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

School Overview

Tuition: $510 per credit hour
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29

California Baptist University

  • Riverside, California
  • Graduation Rate: 58%
California Baptist University masters in psychology

CBU is one of the best accounting schools in California. Students at California Baptist University are required to take 63 units in order to graduate. CBU’s bachelor program prepares students to go on to take the CPA and CMA and to start entry level work in public, private, governmental, managerial, and non-profit accounting. The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,171 per credit hour (traditional undergraduate)
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30

University of Texas at Tyler

  • Tyler, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 58%
University of Texas at Tyler Online accounting degree

The University of Texas at Tyler offers students a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in Accounting as well as a Master’s in Accounting. Students wishing to qualify for the CPA exam are encouraged to take the 30-credit hour MAcc, which can also help them qualify for advanced positions in accounting. Two emphases are available within the MAcc including Internal Assurance and Consulting, and Oil, Gas, and Energy Accounting. UT Tyler has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,120 (undergraduate, 15 credits) or $5,362 (graduate, 9 credits) per semester
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31

Elon University

  • Elon, North Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 82%
Elon University online accounting program

Elon University offers both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Accounting. The undergraduate degree has a strong liberal arts background and seeks to prepare accounting students for entry-level positions in business and industry. Students will take courses that focus on topics such as financial and cost accounting, as well as an introduction to taxation, auditing and ac6ounting information systems. Accounting majors are required to complete at least one internship for academic credit. The M.S. degree will enhance the knowledge gained in a student’s undergraduate degree as well as help those who are seeking to become CPAs and work in public accounting. Students can choose concentrations in auditing or taxation. The Love School of Business is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

School Overview

Tuition: $1,100 per credit hour (part-time students)
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32

Bemidji State University

  • Bemidji, Minnesota
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
Bemidji State University online accounting program

Bemidji State University has their Bachelor of Science in Accounting available to students on campus and online. The same highly credentialed and experienced faculty members teach classes on both platforms, bringing quality education to every class. Ideally, students will have an associate of arts degree or will have completed the MN Transfer Curriculum before beginning the courses in the B.S. Accounting Program. BSU’s student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1 and over 80 percent of students receive financial aid at BSU.

School Overview

Tuition: $267 per credit hour
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33

Gardner-Webb University

  • Boiling Springs, North Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
Gardner-Webb University online accounting degree

Gardner-Webb University has a B.S. in Accounting for undergraduate students, a B.S. in Accounting that’s part of the degree completion program, and a Master of Accountancy degree. The bachelor’s degrees require 60-61 credits on top of GWU’s required general education. The master’s program will provide students with sufficient educational experience to meet the North Carolina State Board of Public Accountancy’s 150-hour requirement to obtain the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination. GWU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $482 (undergraduate), $422 (degree completion), and $550 (graduate) per credit hour
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34

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

  • Alva, Oklahoma
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Northwestern offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting or Business Administration. The university offers an online orientation preparation class to all online students introducing them to the basics of being an online student. The online classes are designed to allow students flexibility in pacing their own assignments and learning. Some classes are offered during a 16-week course, while others are offered on an accelerated 8-week program. The university requires students to take some exams on the NOSU campus in a proctored environment. Most general education classes are not offered online, so NOSU online is designed best for students who want to finish an accounting degree. The university does not cap the number of transfer credits it accepts from other accredited secondary schools.

School Overview

Tuition: $295 per credit hour for online in-state undergraduate students; $337 per credit hour for in-state graduate students
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35

Grove City College

  • Grove City, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 80%
Grove City College online accounting degree

Grove City College’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting requires a total of 128 credits, 70 of which are major related. The exceptional quality of the GCC’s accounting program can be determined by looking at the CPA scores of its graduates. The college’s accounting graduates ranked 11th in the nation on the 2016 CPA examination among medium-sized programs, which is the fourth time in five years that GCC’s graduates have been in the top 25 nationally.

School Overview

Tuition: $560 per credit (part-time)
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36

The College of New Jersey

  • Ewing, New Jersey
  • Graduation Rate: 86%
The College of New Jersey online accounting degree

The College of New Jersey’s Bachelor of Science in Accountancy is one of the best programs in the nation and can boast the No. 1 CPA pass rate in the state. Students who wish to reach the 150 required cr7dit hours to sit for the CPA exam can pursue a second major, a minor, or electives to round out their accounting curriculum. Students who want to specialize in financial sector audits or accounting positions at financial services firms and industrial corporations are encouraged at TCNJ to pursue a minor in finance in addition to a major in accounting.

School Overview

Tuition: $448 per unit
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37

Davenport University

  • Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
Davenport University Online accounting degree

Davenport University not only offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting but also a BBA in Accounting Fraud Investigation and a Master’s in Accountancy. Students pursuing the BBA in Accounting can choose from two specialties including Internal Auditing or Management Accounting. Accounting students at DU also have the opportunity to participate in the Voluntary Tax Income Assistance (VITA) program that adds valuable experience to a student’s portfolio. The BBA in Accounting can be completed on campus or online.

School Overview

Tuition: $707 per credit hour (online undergraduate)
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38

Muhlenberg College

  • Allentown, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 83%
Muhlenberg College online accounting degree

Muhlenberg College’s accounting program provides students with a strong liberal arts education while obtaining knowledge and skills in accounting, finance, economics, and business. Courses focus on broad accounting concepts and issues but also help students develop the technical, communication, and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the professional world today. Internships, study abroad experiences and even spending a semester in Washington, DC are available options.

School Overview

Tuiton: $25,048 per semester
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39

Dickinson State University

  • Dickinson, North Dakota
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
Dickinson State University online accounting degree

Dickinson State University has a 121-credit online Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree with a corporate or professional track that students can choose from. Students who earn this degree will have fulfilled the educational requirements to take the professional examinations required to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and 121-128 of the total 150 hours of education required to apply to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Students can take additional electives to reach that 150-credit hour requirement.

School Overview

Tuition: $273 per credit hour
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40

William & Mary College

  • Williamsburg, Virginia
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
William Mary College

The College of William & Mary offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Business Administration with a degree in Accounting. Students can choose from nine concentrations including a Business Analytics, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Innovation & Design, Management and Organizational Leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain Analytics, and Sustainability concentration. A two-semester Master of Accounting (MAcc) is also available with several concentrations including Academic, Audit & Assurance, Experiential, Taxation, or Valuation & Advisory Services.

School Overview

Tuition: $11,022 per semester for full-time undergraduate students
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41

Bellevue University

  • Bellevue, Nebraska
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
Bellevue University online accounting program

Bellevue University offers students a Bachelor of Science in Accounting that’s accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Students can choose to emphasize in Business Finance or they may minor in tax accountancy. The program is accessible online as well as on campus to accommodate students’ personal and work life. Bellevue has a Master of Science in Accounting for students who wish to pursue further education. Undergraduates are allowed to take up to 12 credits of specifically defined graduate-level accounting courses during the last year of their undergraduate degree (90 credits or above).

School Overview

Tuition: $298 (on campus) or $410 (online) per credit hour
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42

Middle Tennessee State University

  • Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
middle tennessee state university online accounting degree

At Middle Tennessee State University students have access to both a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a Master of Accounting degree. The bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 120 credits and is meant to help students who desire to pursue the following professional certifications: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Auditor. The Master of Accounting degree requires a total of 30 credit hours. Students may elect to complete a tax or assurance specialization by taking twelve credit hours of tax or assurance coursework as part of their 30 credit hour program. Accounting students graduating from MTSU have abundant career opportunities in the growing metropolitan area.

School Overview

Undergraduate Tuition: $413 per semester credit hour up to 12 hours / $94 per credit hour over 12 hours
Graduate Tuition: $610 per semester credit hour up to 10 hours/ $212 over 10 hours
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43

Villanova University

  • Villanova, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 90%
Villanova University online accounting degree

A major in accounting at Villanova University will provide students with a solid foundation for almost any business career and the tools necessary to understand business, communicate with executives, and handle demanding tasks. Thanks to the electives students can choose from, students can take classes in topics they are interested in such as Accounting for Real Estate, Fraud Examination, or International Accounting. Students at VU benefit from a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1, and over 90 percent of all accounting majors are employed by graduation.

School Overview

Tuition: $2,921 per credit
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44

University of Utah

  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
University of Utah

Students can choose to pursue a 122-credit B.S. or a B.A. in Accounting at the University of Utah and have the option to do so full-time (two semesters) or part-time (four semesters). Students can also choose from three concentrations, including the Financial/Audit track, the Tax Track, or the Accounting Information Systems track. The U of U also offers students the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in accounting that can be completed in two semesters of full-time study or four semesters of part-time study. Evening classes are available.

School Overview

Tuition: $7,956 per semester
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45

Bentley University

  • Waltham, Massachusetts
  • Graduation Rate: 89%
Bentley University online accounting degree

Bentley University was actually founded in 1917 as Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, which means their accounting degree is well established as one of the best in the country. Students can choose from four emphases including Cost Accounting, External or Internal Auditing, Financial Accounting, or Information Technology. Bentley University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1, and 99 percent of the class of 2016 was hired or accepted to graduate programs within 6 months of graduation.

School Overview

Tuition: $48,180 per year
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46

Oklahoma Christian University

  • Edmond, Oklahoma
  • Graduation Rate: 48%
Oklahoma Christian University online accounting degree

Oklahoma Christian University offers a 126-credit Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting that will prepare students for entry-level positions in public, private, or governmental accounting. Students wishing to reach the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA can take additional undergraduate courses or can enroll in OCU’s MBA program the final semester of their senior year. Several offered courses include Financial Accounting Statement Analysis, Income Taxation, Ethics and Auditing Concepts, and Management Information Systems.

School Overview

Tuition: $11,230 per semester (full-time undergraduate)
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47

Appalachian State University

  • Boone, North Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 70%
Appalachian State University online accounting degree

Appalachian State University has a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting that students can complete, as well as a one-year Master of Science in Accounting degree that’s available after graduation. The BSBA has a 53-credit business core and in addition to those, students will take key accounting courses which include Cost Accounting, Individual Income Taxation, and Intermediate Accounting among others. Appalachian has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1 with an average class size of 27 students.

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48

University of North Carolina – Wilmington

  • Wilmington, North Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
University of North Carolina at Wilmington online accounting degree

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington offers students a Bachelor of Science degree with an accountancy concentration as well as a Master of Science in Accountancy. In North Carolina, students may sit for the CPA exam once they have an undergraduate degree but must have 150 hours of coursework, 30 of which must be accounting specific, to actually be licensed. UNCW has a 95 percent placement rate at graduation.

School Overview

Tuition: $4,400 (full-time undergraduate) or $4,720 (full-time graduate) per year
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49

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

  • St. Mary’s, Indiana
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
saint-mary-of-the-woods college online accounting degree

For SMWC’s accounting major, 51 credits are required on top of the university core classes. Students may choose an Entrepreneurship or Professional Prep concentration. Though the bachelor’s in accounting degree requires a total of 125 credits, students wishing to prepare for or take the CPA exam can arrange to modify their major and take additional classes to meet the CPA requirements in their state.

Tuition: $496 per credit hour
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50

Florida National University

  • Hialeah, Florida
Florida National University building outdoor view

Florida National University’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting is offered online and on campus. This 120 credit program prepares students for entry level positions in the field of accounting and advanced education. The program prepares students to pursue advance education in accounting or related fields and with additional required courses can make students eligible to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Exam or to practice as a CPA in the State of Florida. Some required courses include Income Tax Accounting, Government and Institutional Accounting, Strategic Management, and Ethics and Social Responsibility. All courses can be accessed through the Blackboard online learning platform.

School Overview

Tuition: $550 per credit hour
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51

Southern Oregon University

  • Ashland, Oregon
  • Graduation Rate: 38%
Southern Oregon University online accounting programs

Southern Oregon University offers two tracks in their accounting program including public accounting (36 credit hours) and management accounting (24 credit hours). The public accounting track is best for students who would like to be a private, public, or governmental CPA. Students are given the flexibility of completing their program only online, or through a combination of online and on-campus classes. South Oregon offers elective courses in corporate law, nonprofit accounting and financial management, and taxation of corporations. Students are required to earn 225 credits to receive their CPA license. The university also offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting program for students with a bachelor’s degree but does not require students to have completed their graduate studies prior to starting the program.

School Overview

Tuition: $165 (undergraduate) or $421 (graduate) per credit hour
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52

Xavier University of Louisiana

  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
Xavier University of Louisiana online accounting degree

Xavier University of Louisiana is historically Black and Catholic and was founded in 1915. It has a 121-credit hour accounting program with a curriculum that is designed to help prepare students to pass the CPA exam. Areas of study will include tax accounting, governmental accounting, cost accounting, and auditing, on top of regular business core classes like computer information systems, statistics, macroeconomics, and business law.

School Overview

Tuition: $21,212 per year
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53

Southern Illinois University

  • Carbondale, Illinois
  • Graduation Rate: 63%
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale online accounting degree

Southern Illinois University’s bachelor’s degree in Accounting can be completed online or on campus and is divided into three segments. The first is the University Core Curriculum, the second is the Professional Business Core that’s required of all business majors, and the third is the Accounting Core that includes essential accounting material required for the professional study of accounting. Students preparing for a career in public accounting should know that Illinois, and most other states, require 150 hours of college credit to sit for the CPA exam. Students wishing to do this will need to complete a fifth year of study and the Master of Accountancy degree. Specialized courses of study in taxation and audit/systems are available.

School Overview

Tuition: $362.30 per credit hour
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54

Stetson University

  • DeLand, Florida
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
Stetson online accounting program

Stetson University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy program (available online) for students interested in a career as an accounting, financial or management professional. Some required courses include Financial Accounting, Individual Taxation, Database Management, and Accounting Information Systems among others. Stetson is one of 180 elite business schools worldwide with a School of Business Administration that is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

School Overview

Tuition: $1,337 (part-time undergraduate) or $1,009 (graduate) per credit hour
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55

Marist College

  • New York State
  • Graduation Rate: 83%
Marist College online accounting degree

Marist College has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Professional Accountancy (MSPAccy). They can be taken individually, or students desiring to complete both can enroll in a Dual Degree Program in Accounting that allows students to graduate with their bachelor’s degree a semester early and jump right into the master’s degree. With this option, the master’s degree only requires an additional 30 credits, putting students into the 150-credit range where they are eligible to take the CPA exam. Several required courses include Cost Accounting, Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis.

School Overview

Tuition: $39,600 per year
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56

University of Texas – Arlington

  • Arlington, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
University of Texas-Arlington online accounting degree

University of Texas – Arlington offers a 122-credit Bachelor of Science (or Bachelor of Business Administration) degree in Accounting that prepares students for accounting careers in industry or government and allows students to choose from three elective business tracks including Finance Industry, Information Systems, and Sales and Marketing. Graduate programs are also available for students to complete. For students who choose to receive both an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting, a fast track and a professional track are available so students can complete less coursework to complete both degrees.

School Overview

Tuition: about $824/credit (average of $10,250 per year)
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57

Assumption University

  • Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
Assumption College Online accounting degree

Students at Assumption University can get a major or minor in accounting, and undergraduate students can even do AC’s 5-in-6 program where they can receive their B.A. in Accounting and their MBA in five years instead of the traditional six. This lets likely CPA candidates begin their MBA coursework during their senior year and satisfies the required 150-college credit hours to be eligible to sit for the certified public accountants (CPA) exam.

For students looking to attend graduate school, Assumption University also offers an Accelerated MBA Accounting Track which allows students to earn an MBA rather than an MSA, making it a more well-rounded degree, and allows them to complete their 150-hour requirement for their CPA license. This program costs just over $25,000 (and even less for Assumption students that take advantage of the ability to take 2 courses as undergraduate seniors). That’s about half the cost of most of the other master’s programs in the area that are intended to get students their 150 hours.

School Overview

Tuition: $40,208 per year
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58

Wright State University

  • Dayton, Ohio
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
Wright State University online accounting degree

Wright State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in Accountancy that will educate students for professional careers in public, industrial, governmental, and not-for-profit accounting. WSU also has a Master of Accountancy program that will help students meet the requirements to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Graduates from WSU’s master’s program have the highest CPA pass rate in the state of Ohio. The Raj Soin College of Business is AACSB accredited.

School Overview

Tuition: $4,627 (full-time undergraduate) or $6,940 (full-time graduate) per semester
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59

Southeast Tech

  • Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Southeast Tech online accounting degree

Southeast Tech’s Associate in Applied Science in Accounting degree has been nationally ranked before and is available both online and on campus. This two-year, 66-credit program will prepare students to work as an accounting assistant, a billing clerk, a management trainee, a bookkeeper, and other positions in the finance field of work. Examples of required courses include Business Law, Advanced Computer Applications, Income Tax, Financial Management, and Payroll.

School Overview

Tuition: $114 per credit hour
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60

University of Evansville

  • Evansville, Indiana
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
University of Evansville online accounting degree

At the Schroeder School of Business (AACSB) at the University of Evansville, the accounting program has a 98% placement rate with average starting salaries above $52,000. The program focuses on experiential learning and boasts an impressive 100% internship completion rate. Recent enhancements include a 12 credit hour internship which allows students to work for a Big Four or regional accounting firm during the semester, an accounting advisory board, and an accounting club which connects students to industry leaders. The Schroeder School also has graduate program agreements with the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Schroeder’s accounting program was ranked #1 nationally among over 500 small universities by Master of Finance Degrees and the Schroeder School is the nation’s fastest riser (+38) places in the 2018 US News & World Report Rankings.

School Overview

Tuition: $990 per credit hour (part-time undergraduate)
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61

Austin Community College

  • Austin, Texas
Austin Community College online accounting degree

Austin Community College’s accounting department is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), is ranked in the top 10 for CPA exam rates in Texas, and has been named one of the best accounting schools in Texas. At ACC, students can earn an associate degree as an accounting specialist, and accounting tax specialist, or an accounting technician. The student-to-faculty ratio at ACC is 22 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $67 per credit
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62

Fairleigh Dickinson University

  • Teaneck, New Jersey
  • Graduation Rate: 39%
Fairleigh Dickinson University online accounting degree

Farleigh Dickinson University’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting is accredited by the AACSB and requires a minimum of 120 credits. Several required courses include Accounting Information Systems, Auditing Concepts, and Fundamentals of Federal Taxation, among others. Students wishing to pursue a master’s degree are encouraged to FDU’s BS-MS accelerated degree program. The M.S. in Accounting at FDU has two tracks—one for students who have an undergraduate degree or emphasis in accounting and one for students who don’t but still want to do graduate work in the accounting area. The school also offers a remote-online MS in Taxation Program.

School Overview

Tuition: $38,418 (undergraduate) per year; $990 (graduate) per credit
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63

West Texas A&M University

  • Canyon, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
West Texas A&M University online accounting degree

West Texas A&M University offers a 120-credit B.B.A. in Accounting that students can take alone or as a blended program with WTAMU’s master’s program, resulting in an M.P.A. as well. Students who are interested in public accounting or industry-oriented specialization are encouraged to consult with their academic advisers early in their programs so they can take required courses and electives that will give them relevant experience.

School Overview

Tuition: $4,064 per semester (undergraduate)
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64

Western Illinois University

  • Macomb, Illinois
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
Western Illinois University online accounting degree

Western Illinois University’s Bachelor of Business with a major in Accountancy is student-centered and promotes academic excellence, professional and personal growth, collegiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct. Students who complete the four-year Accountancy program will be able to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Fraud Examiner, and other certification examinations. To meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), students can choose to complete a fifth year of education and earn WIU’s Master of Accountancy degree. Qualifying students may even enter the Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program in Accountancy which allows students to begin their graduate studies during their senior year.

School Overview

Tuition: $285 (undergraduate) or $324 (graduate) per credit hour
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65

Colorado Christian University

  • Lakewood, Colorado
  • Graduation Rate: 38%
Colorado Christian University

CCU offers a Bachelor degree program in Accounting and MBA in Advanced Accounting. Students can complete their undergraduate degree in 120 credit hours. The University allows students to transfer 31 previously earned credit hours from a prior secondary school. The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association recognize Colorado Christian University. Students who choose to complete both a BS in accounting and an MBA with a specialization in Advanced Accounting will complete 150 credit hours and will be prepared for Colorado CPA licensing.

School Overview

Tuition: $455 (online full-time undergraduate) or $555 (online part-time undergraduate) per credit hour
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66

Ohio Northern University

  • Ada, Ohio
  • Graduation Rate: 77%
ohio northern university online accounting degree

Ohio Northern University’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) has been nationally recognized before and continues to be a program of the highest quality. Students will take courses offered in forensic accounting and audit services (FAAS track) and may choose a 12-month or a 24-month program, whichever is most convenient. ONU’s MSA program combines both online and traditional classroom instruction. While in the program, students will have the ability to complete certain professional certifications, free of charge, such as CPA review materials, a built-in certified fraud examiner exam as a course final, and reimbursement of the costs associated with these types of exams.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,310 per credit hour
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67

Brigham Young University – Idaho

  • Rexburg, Idaho
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
Brigham Young University - Idaho online accounting degree

Brigham Young University – Idaho offers students a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting that focuses on analytical, interpretative, and communication skills. Rather than specializing in tax, financial reporting or other regulatory requirements, students pursuing the accounting major will have sufficient background to recognize and anticipate important accounting issues and the training to do research to find the answers needed by the decision-making team. Some required courses include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Income Taxation, and Auditing among others. All accounting majors are required to complete an internship before they graduate.

School Overview

Tuition: $167 (LDS) or $334 (non-LDS) per credit hour
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68

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

  • Valdosta, Georgia
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College online accounting degree

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College prepares students for a variety of careers in accounting in today’s technology-driven workplaces and is offered on the Valdosta and Coffee campuses as well as online. Upon completion of the program, students will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting. Several required courses include Financial Accounting, Spreadsheet Applications, and Computerized Accounting.

School Overview

Tuition: $89 per credit hour
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69

Rhodes College

  • Memphis, Tennessee
  • Graduation Rate: 79%
rhodes college online accounting degree

Rhodes College is a national, four-year, private, coeducational, residential college committed to the liberal arts and sciences. It only has two graduate programs, one of which is a Master of Science in Accounting. With fewer programs to focus on, these master’s degrees have reached a level of high quality that can’t always be found in other colleges. The 32-credit M.S. in Accounting has been around for 21 years and can boast 100 percent job placement for its graduates. Rhodes also has a phenomenal student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $46,194 per year
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70

Clarion University

  • Clarion, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
Outdoor view of college campus

Clarion University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/accounting with a concentration in CPA or industry is available both on campus and online. Many students also pursue the Master of Science in accounting (MAcc), which provides the additional 30 hours needed to receive the CPA certificate. They are currently #1 in the CPA Exam pass rate in the state of Pennsylvania.

School Overview

Tuition: $312 per credit hour
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71

Georgia Southwestern State University

  • Americus, Georgia
  • Graduation Rate: 31%
Georgia SouthWestern State University online accounting degree

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) offers their BBA in Accounting both on campus and online. Online classes are ideal for students who are working professionals, military members, transfer students or returning students seeking alternative routes to degree completion. It’s easiest for these students to transfer to GSW if they already have an associate degree in business. Such students can receive college credit for relevant work experience. GSW has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1. The School of Business Administration is accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

School Overview

Tuition: $199 per credit hour (online undergraduate), $216 per credit hour (on-campus undergraduate)
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72

University of New Orleans

  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
University of New Orleans online accounting degree

The University of New Orleans is one of 180 schools worldwide that has received the AACSB International accounting accreditation. UNO offers programs within the accounting program that can supplement students’ degrees. There’s also a CPA Preparation Program (Pre-CPA) that’s offered for students in different disciplines who need to obtain the necessary coursework to qualify to take the CPA exam. Students may also earn a certificate from the Internal Auditing Endorsed Program (IAEP), which is only offered in select universities in the country.

School Overview

Tuition: $963 (1-3 credits) or $1,894 (4-6 credits)
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73

Culver-Stockton College

  • Canton, Missouri
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
Culver-Stockton College

Culver-Stockton offers a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA in Accounting. Classes at Culver-Stockton are offered on an accelerated 8-week program. Most students at Culver-Stockton complete 150 credit hours so they are prepared to receive their CPA license. All Culver students also complete an internship that the on-campus Career Service Center helps to arrange. Culver is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

School Overview

Tuition: $395 per credit hour (online, undergraduate); $500 per credit hour (graduate)
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74

Oklahoma State University

  • Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • Graduation Rate: 63%
Oklahoma State University online accounting degree

Oklahoma State University has a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. in Accounting available for students. The B.S. in Accounting requires a total of 120 credits for graduation, which falls short of Oklahoma’s required 150 hours of education to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. Students desiring to become CPAs should take additional coursework or enter the MS program to meet the requirements to sit for the CPA.

School Overview

Tuition: $173 (undergradute) or $223 (graduate) per credit hour
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75

University of Tennessee – Knoxville

  • Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
University of Tennessee - Knoxville online accounting degree

Students who choose the University of Tennessee – Knoxville to pursue accounting will find they have several undergraduate options. UT-Knoxville offers students a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. This degree lets students choose from a collateral option, an integrated business and engineering program, or an international business concentration. UT-Knoxville has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $12,970 per year (undergraduate)
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76

Endicott College

  • Beverly, Massachusetts
  • Graduation Rate: 80%
Endicott College Online accounting degree

Endicott College has a 125-credit Bachelor of Science in Accounting that includes a plethora of general business and accounting classes that will prepare students to take the CPA exam. Among classes such as Business Analysis and Research, Corporate Tax Accounting, and Auditing, all students must complete an internship and a thesis in order to graduate. Endicott has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $16,175 per semester
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77

Stark State College

  • North Canton, Ohio
Stark State College Online accounting degree

Stark State College offers an associate degree in accounting that meets Ohio’s General Code requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Exam-takers must have a minimum of an associate degree with an emphasis in accounting, an acceptable score on the GMAT, and four years of approved work experience. Students interested in accounting at Stark State College can choose a general degree in accounting or one that emphasizes accounting services for health administration. Five certificates are also available for students to choose from if they want.

School Overview

Tuition: $170 per credit
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78

Ashland University

  • Ashland, Ohio
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
ashland university online accounting degree

Ashland University claims that it can get students a B.S. in Accounting, multiple internships, CPA exam ready and an MBA in five years. For students up to the challenge, the B.S. in Accounting requires 120 credits and includes classes like Auditing, Forensic Accounting, Cost Management, and Federal Income Tax Business Entities, among others. AU’s average class size is 20 students and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $913 per credit hour (part-time undergraduate)
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79

Vance-Granville Community College

  • Henderson, North Carolina
Vance-Granville Community College

The accounting program at Vance-Granville Community College is one of the nation’s best associate degrees in accounting. All courses are offered on campus and some are offered in the evening or online. On top of a solid business and finance foundation, accounting students can also expect to round out their curriculum with classes in communications, computer applications, financial analysis, critical thinking skills, and ethics. VGCC has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

School Overview

Tuition: $76 per credit hour
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80

Indiana University Northwest

  • Gary, Indiana
  • Graduation Rate: 22%
indiana university northwest online accounting degree

The B.S. in Business degree at Indiana University Northwest has a concentration in Accounting/Financial Information Systems for students interested in pursuing the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) designation and for students who are interested in the Certified Financial Management (CFM) or the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation. Students who wish to pursue the CPA in Indiana need more than a bachelor’s degree and are encouraged to continue with the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Ac­counting (PBCA) programs in order to fulfill these requirements. A total of 120 credits are required in this program which is accredited by the AACSB.

School Overview

Tuition: $7,207 per year (full-time undergraduate)
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81

Wayne Community College

  • Goldsboro, North Carolina

Wayne Community College has an associate degree in accounting that was designed to help students better prepare for future careers in the finance field. It can be completed in two years, and students will receive quality one-on-one time with their professors and benefit from the 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Required classes include Business Income Taxes, Business Law, Payroll Accounting, and Accounting Software, among others.

School Overview

Tuition: $2,524 per year
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Here’s our guide for a masters degree in accounting:

  • Masters in Accounting guide
  • Associate degree in accounting guide
  • We’ll provide additional guides for future accountants on how to prepare for the CPA exam
  • See our methodology page for more information on how these schools were ranked

Why Pursuing an Accounting Degree Is A Worthwhile Investment

Pursuing a degree in accounting may seem like a long and tedious journey, but the rewards are worthwhile. If you are looking for a job that will pay you well, accounting is one.  Recent studies hold that even in a challenging time, accountants remain to be in high demand.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% increase in accounting job opportunities in the next ten years. Meaning this field is going to offer over 150,000 new job opportunities in a decade. Plus, accounting ranks as one of the top degrees that promise vast job opportunities, especially at the entry-level positions. All these only prove the sense why many college students are going after this course.

But apart from the extensive job opportunities, is the accounting profession beneficial in the long end? Salary is one of the major concerns for every student outside there. Apart from getting a job fast, every student will want the job to pay well at the same time. A bachelor’s degree in accounting alone offers students the noble chance to earn an average salary of $69,350 annually.

This amount increases depending on the experience and advancement of your academic career. Another benefit you get with various levels of degrees is the increased professional contacts. The accounting field is full of specialists in the private and public sectors who might be willing to help newcomers advance their careers.

Today, whether you chose to pursue your accounting degree program online or in-person, the result is the same. Perhaps the biggest difference touches on the experience you will have during these accounting courses. For instance, an online bachelor’s degree may subject you to on-hand experience challenges, but it comes with a host of benefits. One advantage of online accounting courses is that they are relatively cheaper compared to on-class programs.

So, when you are looking for ways to prepare financially for your online accounting degree program, the options for realizing this are endless. Planning on how to get financial aid before joining through scholarships can come a long way to make a big difference. Furthermore, you will want to research all the available school programs and their tuition fees. This latter option will give you an insight into the online program that meets your budget.

Benefits of Pursuing a Degree in Accounting

Do you know an accounting degree gives you an endless list of career options? Several reasons make this course suitable for different students because it accompanies various concepts and more.  It’s worth pursuing the accounting program because professional accountants are trustworthy and ethical, hence highly respected. Studying to get a bachelor’s degree in accounting is worth every minute and penny spent.

Benefits of an Accounting Degree

An accounting certification offers several benefits to accounting major scholars. Below are some of the benefits it offers.

  • Job Opportunities: The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job opportunities in this field will increase by 10% in the next ten years. Because jobs are plenty, the accounting field is expected to increase by 140,000 jobs in the next decade. Despite the challenges in other occupations, job opportunities in accounting are always promising. Again, the job outlook for accounting students isn’t dependable on hiring trends. 
  • Career Prestige: Accountants, especially those at senior levels, are reputable and respected. Those working in prestigious firms tend to enjoy this career more. However, passing the CPA exam or obtaining a master’s degree makes the accounting career more distinctive. 
  • Salary Potential: According to the Association of International Certified Public Accounts (AICPA), accountants earn between $54,750 to 208,000 depending on their work level and the firms they work for. Accountants earn a significant salary that exceeds the median salary of most occupations. However, accountants who are more experienced and have senior roles earn a higher salary. Accountants with an advanced degree and who have certain certifications earn almost a six-figure salary. 

Benefits of Online Degree Programs

Is digital deterrence confusing you about choosing to study an online accounting degree? Students should turn a deaf year and enroll for an online bachelor’s degree because there are more benefits than anyone can imagine! Online learning is a great alternative for college life, especially for those who want to avoid crowded learning and commuting.

  • Technology Competency: Laptops, desktops, eReaders, tablets, and smartphones are the gadgets used in online learning. Students who use these gadgets become technology wizards after a short time. The software in these gadgets helps students discover educational and productive applications for online degree programs. These students also develop research skills that help them learn extensively about their degree programs online.
  • Timely and Manageable: Despite learning online to attain a degree program, participation and time management skills are essential. Interaction between the student, the instructor, and the peers is vital. Before engaging in online learning, students are given guidelines to guide them about the particular program. Students participate in online learning at certain time intervals. Thus, they can engage in other activities hence balancing between work and online programs.
  • Digital Communication: Mostly, students communicate with school officials through a student email address. Also, there’s a private channel to communicate through the mail. Through social media, students connect in faculty accounts and follow other students or an influential accounting professional. Again, SMS notifications keep the online learner’s updated if anything comes up regarding their online degree program.

How Can Earning an Accounting Degree Prepare You for a Career?

If you are thinking of majoring as an accountant, you are on the right track. Students studying accounting have lots of jobs awaiting them. However, those with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree get better jobs that pay excellent salaries. Students get quick degrees within four or five years of studying.

Jobs You Can Do with Your Accounting Degree

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s in accounting degree have multiple career options, including:

  • Forensic accountant
  • Environmental accounting
  • Actuary
  • Financial analyst
  • Public accounting
  • Personal financial advisor
  • Management accounting
  • Financial accounting

Jobs for accounting majors are widely spread. However, certain skills are needed to work in all accountancy jobs. While studying, students should also focus on gaining technical skills. Earning an accounting degree prepares students for a career in several ways, including:

  • Gaining quantitative and numerical skills
  • Confidence in arguing and negotiating cases. You need to practice the skills of negotiations to ensure the results are perfect.
  • They become aware and knowledgeable regarding various business organizations and proficient in public accounting.
  • They gain skills in entrepreneurship and can comfortably advise small and large business owners.
  • Proficiency in both oral and written communication. Oral communication skills help them convey complex messages to the audience in a way everyone can understand. Written communication skills help accountants to write messages that have credibility and clarity.
  • Analytical and problem-solving ability. An accountant can also act as a financial analyst and find any data problems in the company financial statements and solve them, ensuring a smooth work process.

Cost of Earning an Account Degree Online 

Technology has advanced, and some students prefer schooling online instead of traditional schooling. Fees vary between online schooling and on-campus programs. Before students decide whether to choose online programs, they should consider a few factors, such as cost and resource availability. 

Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees

Students who study to attain a bachelor’s degree online enjoy several benefits such as convenience, a unique learning environment, and flexible hours. However, online schooling costs vary depending on the school. According to U.S. News data, the average cost of an online bachelor’s degree varies between $38,496 to 60,593.

The cost of tuition varies in public and private colleges. In-state students at public colleges pay an average of 38,496, while out-of-state students pay an average fee of $54,183. In private colleges, students pay an average of $ 60,593 as tuition fee for an online program. 

What Goes into the Total Cost of an Accounting Degree Online?

A budget is required of students before they apply for an online degree in accounting. Students should consider the total cost needed and apply to a college they can afford. Online research can help students know the cost of an online accounting degree in various colleges and what they can afford to pay for the accounting program.

Average Cost of College for an Accounting Degree Online

The National Center for Education Statistics recently reported that all schools’ average college cost was $20 234. At Colorado State University, for example, students can apply for an affordable accounting program. They pay $350 per credit, $10,500 per year, and $42,000 for four years of study. At Southern New Hampshire University, students pay $960 per course, while in England College of Business and Finance, students pay $975 per course.

How Can You Financially Prepare for an Online Accounting Degree?

Do you know that you save lots of money when you study for an accounting degree online? Costs on transportation and housing are eliminated since there’s no need to commute to campus. Whether students enroll in an affordable online bachelor program or an expensive online program at advance collegiate schools, they should consider their financial preparation to avoid interfering with their budget. This approach also applies to online master’s programs.

  • Find Affordable Online Accounting Degree Tuition Fees: Several prestigious colleges offer cheap online accounting degrees. Students should filter several colleges and choose those whose accounting tuition fee is affordable to ensure that they can afford to pay for the online accounting program until they graduate.
  • Choose Only Online Fully Accounting Programs: Students either choose a blended course or a fully online accounting program. Students who select a blended course need extra money to attend on-campus programs and housing. Those who choose a fully online accounting program don’t need to commute or worry about housing.
  • Look for Financial Aid from the College of Your Choice: Thousands of students rely on financial aid from the university or college they have chosen. They contact the university of their choice and then submit their application for financial aid before the deadline. However, the universities determine whether the students are eligible for financial aid or not. Eligible students are chosen depending on several factors, such as students’ investments and savings.
  • Look for Merit-Based Scholarships: Most universities offering merit-based scholarships consider academic results and ignore financial needs. These scholarships are awarded to students as incentives; hence they don’t need to apply. Students who perform better academically have a higher chance of getting a merit-based scholarship.
  • Consider a Student Loan: Most students qualify for a student loan. Those who aren’t eligible for financial aid can apply for a student loan. With a loan, students can prepare for an online accounting degree while focusing on their career goals.

Career Prospects with An Online Accounting Degree

As earlier mentioned, an accounting degree can open up a whole lot of opportunities. With an accounting degree, you have various options to choose from in terms of the career path to follow. Other than that, you can also work in various industries and fields because almost every company or every organization needs an accounting department for them to run efficiently.

Despite having a whole range of options with an accounting degree, there is still room for things to get better. You can pursue a master’s in finance if you are looking to specialize in the finance side of things. You can also study for an MBA to broaden your skillset. Each of these Master’s programs is set to widen your opportunities in terms of career prospects while also improving your chances of landing a high-paying entry-level job. 

It is worth noting that your online accounting degree must be certified and accredited to open up a range of career prospects. Employees mostly only take on job applicants that have graduated from accredited programs. They believe that accredited programs have what it takes to produce graduates ready for the job market equipping them with all the necessary skills demanded. 

Requirements for Certification of An Online Accounting Degree

Accounting falls under business courses, so the organization in charge of certifying accounting programs is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Therefore, for an online accounting degree to be certified, it has to have met the AACSB standards. 

  • For starters, the institution must be an educational member of the AACSB. After that, they must submit an eligibility application. This is the first step towards AACSB accreditation.
  • The AACSB will then conduct a preliminary review of the eligibility application. If it is deemed to include all the necessary information, it is taken forward to the Initial Accreditation Committee (IAC) or Accounting Accreditation Committee (AAC) for a final decision.
  • Once it is approved, a business school administrator is assigned to the applicant institution in the capacity of a mentor to assist with the development of an initial self-evaluation report (iSER). At the same time, the institution will receive an official letter informing them that the application has been approved and that a mentor has been assigned.
  • The mentor will work with the school and help them come up with the iSER. Once this is done and submitted to the IAC or AAC, they review it in an official meeting and then forward their recommendations to the AACSB. They will either accept or deny the request for accreditation.

Careers That an Online Accounting Degree Prepares You For

By pursuing an accounting degree, you are set for an accounting career pathIt is very difficult to diversify from accounting unless you take up a master’s degree in a different field such as business administration.

So, what are some of the careers that an online accounting degree could land you? They are quite a few, so here are some of them.

  • Certified Public Accountant: Most accounting graduates end up as Certified Public Accountants (CPA). The main role of a CPA is to help their client manage their financial records and ensure that they are in standing with government regulations. They also maintain and prepare tax documents, financial reports, and investment reports. The average entry salary is around $50,000, but there is potential to get up to $100,000 as your career progresses.
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA): CMAs are accountants who’ve earned specialized certification by demonstrating a strong understanding of financial management and management accounting. They are experts in financial analysis and planning. Such accountants are qualified to work in top-level positions such as chief financial officers for big corporations. The median entry-level salary is higher than that of a CPA, standing at around $60,000.
  • Auditor: This is another popular career path for most accounting graduates. An auditor has the responsibility of reviewing and assessing the accuracy of financial records. They also analyze financial documents to ensure that individuals and companies comply with government regulations. Private auditors can also advise their clients on how to improve their financial systems and processes.

As the economy continues to grow, the need for qualified accountants with a berth of knowledge continues to intensify. Despite artificial intelligence coming into play and threatening to take over some of the jobs, accountants are still secure because they have a lot more to offer, especially those who have diversified their knowledge in different fields.

Finding the Best Online Accounting Degree

An accounting degree is guaranteed to open a lot of opportunities for you. Graduates with accounting degrees are sought after in the job market. Regardless of the industry, every company needs someone specialized in accounting.

As much as higher education can be costly, especially considering the tremendous increase in college tuition over the last decade, it is still possible to enroll in an accounting program at a relatively lower cost. You can achieve this through an online program. There are plenty of online accounting programs where you can graduate with an accounting degree and be very eligible for accounting jobs in the job market. 

How To Know The Best Online Accounting Program For You

Everyone wants to apply to the best accounting program. By getting into a good program, you have a higher chance of successfully graduating. Plus, you are also more likely to secure employment at a top company with a high-paying entry-level job.

So, how do you know which online business degrees are the best for you? Here are a few things you should be looking out for.

  • Accreditation: All the best programs are accredited by agencies recognized by either the Department of Education or the nonprofit Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation is like a stamp of approval that indicates a particular program has met all the required standards and has the capability of producing graduates who are ready for the job market. Before enrolling in a particular program, you should make sure that it has the necessary accreditation. Otherwise, you might end up wasting your time and money on a program that will not necessarily reap any rewards.
  • High Employment Rates: If you want to know if a particular program is good for you, have a look at how many of their graduates end up securing jobs in the related field. If the number is high, then you know that the program is good. High employment rates indicate that employers have respect for the program, and they trust it to produce well-rounded graduates who are ready for the job market.
  • Support Services: A top program will have all the necessary support services for students. These services include things like academic assistance and career advice, among others.

What do the Best Accounting Degree Programs Have in Common

All the top online accounting programs have a few things in common. These things are what make them the best and the reason why they have been highly sought after.

  • High Graduation Rate: A high number of students graduating is always a positive sign. It is an indication that the program is committed to helping students successfully acquire skills that might be of good use for them in the job market.
  • Competition for Places: Everyone wants to apply to a good program, so it only makes sense that the best programs have a lot of competition for places.
  • Low Student Loan Default Rate: Top accounting programs have a low student loan default rate. This is because a good majority of the graduates end up securing jobs. Since they have well-paying jobs, they can pay off their student loans with ease.

In a nutshell, finding a good online accounting program isn’t hard. You just have to know what you’re looking for and what you hope to achieve. It would also help if you sought help from career advisors and other people who’ve been in that position.

In Summary 

When choosing an online program, it is an excellent idea to go for what fits your needs. Regardless of the program you choose, ensure that it will land you in a job as soon as you graduate. Not only that is the factor to consider, but also ensure you are going to be as comfortable as possible in your pursuit of an accounting degree. That is in terms of costs, flexibility, and the accounting principles and skills you will gain.

The advancement of automation and artificial intelligence has left most people asking if accounting has a future. The answer is yes, but with a little reservation. Automation has indeed taken a better part in accounting works such as data entry. 

But the job market is not going to change any time soon. If it does, more professional advisors will be required to help with the consulting aspects of accounting. 

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