Accounting Degree in Michigan for 2025 - Best Programs for 2025

What is Accounting?

Accountants work in various fields, including financial, management, tax, and cost accounting. They use accounting information systems to support financial operations. Financial accounting focuses on reporting an organization's financial position, while management accounting involves measuring, analyzing, and reporting data for managerial use. Bookkeeping, often through double-entry systems, tracks financial transactions to create summaries and reports.

The demand for accountants and auditors nationwide is expected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are over 40,000 accountants employed in the state with an expected increase in job openings. And with demand on the rise, you may also expect the 2023 median Michigan salary of $82,970 to rise as well. If you're ready to take your first steps down an exciting career path and your focus is public accountancy, you might want to learn how to become a certified public accountant (CPA) in Michigan.

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Top Ranked Campus & Online Accounting Programs in Michigan

1

Hillsdale College

Score: 79.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,092
- Out-of-State:$32,092
Net Price: $24,196
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 1,678
Undergrad Students: 1,573
Graduate Students: 105
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

2

University of Detroit Mercy

Score: 78.7

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,300
- Out-of-State:$32,300
Net Price: $18,197
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 5,360
Undergrad Students: 3,156
Graduate Students: 2,204
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

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3

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Score: 76.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,944
- Out-of-State:$31,360
Net Price: $12,444
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 8,223
Undergrad Students: 6,116
Graduate Students: 2,107
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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4

Michigan Technological University

Score: 75.6

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,392
- Out-of-State:$41,340
Net Price: $18,235
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 7,063
Undergrad Students: 5,699
Graduate Students: 1,364
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

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5

Michigan State University

Score: 75.51

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,988
- Out-of-State:$43,372
Net Price: $22,803
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 82%
Total Enrollment: 50,023
Undergrad Students: 39,201
Graduate Students: 10,822
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

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6

Wayne State University

Score: 73.46

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,297
- Out-of-State:$30,419
Net Price: $15,347
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 60%
Total Enrollment: 23,630
Undergrad Students: 15,958
Graduate Students: 7,672
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

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7

Andrews University

Score: 72.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,710
- Out-of-State:$33,710
Net Price: $24,194
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 2,858
Undergrad Students: 1,295
Graduate Students: 1,563
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

8

Lawrence Technological University

Score: 71.51

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,872
- Out-of-State:$41,872
Net Price: $32,641
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 66%
Total Enrollment: 2,966
Undergrad Students: 2,298
Graduate Students: 668
Grads Salary: $92,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

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9

Calvin University

Score: 70.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,670
- Out-of-State:$38,670
Net Price: $25,775
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 77%
Total Enrollment: 3,231
Undergrad Students: 2,960
Graduate Students: 271
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

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10

Hope College

Score: 70.4

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,420
- Out-of-State:$40,420
Net Price: $25,800
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 80%
Total Enrollment: 3,251
Undergrad Students: 3,251
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

11

Oakland University

Score: 70.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,694
- Out-of-State:$23,188
Net Price: $15,161
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 16,108
Undergrad Students: 12,841
Graduate Students: 3,267
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

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12

Central Michigan University

Score: 69.34

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,190
- Out-of-State:$14,190
Net Price: $15,605
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 14,557
Undergrad Students: 10,401
Graduate Students: 4,156
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

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13

University of Michigan-Flint

Score: 68.49

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,014
- Out-of-State:$31,274
Net Price: $10,840
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 5,985
Undergrad Students: 4,609
Graduate Students: 1,376
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

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14

Northwood University

Score: 68.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,000
- Out-of-State:$33,000
Net Price: $24,616
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 2,246
Undergrad Students: 1,940
Graduate Students: 306
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

15

Northwood University-Midland

Score: 68.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,000
- Out-of-State:$33,000
Net Price: $24,616
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 2,246
Undergrad Students: 1,940
Graduate Students: 306
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

16

Grand Valley State University

Score: 67.27

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,628
- Out-of-State:$20,820
Net Price: $17,105
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 66%
Total Enrollment: 21,648
Undergrad Students: 18,665
Graduate Students: 2,983
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

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17

Saginaw Valley State University

Score: 67.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,240
- Out-of-State:$28,752
Net Price: $12,432
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 7,147
Undergrad Students: 6,468
Graduate Students: 679
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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18

Western Michigan University

Score: 67.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,298
- Out-of-State:$19,098
Net Price: $20,030
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 17,000
Undergrad Students: 13,589
Graduate Students: 3,411
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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19

Spring Arbor University

Score: 67.1

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,580
- Out-of-State:$32,580
Net Price: $22,375
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 60%
Total Enrollment: 2,396
Undergrad Students: 1,127
Graduate Students: 1,269
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

20

Ferris State University

Score: 67.01

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,630
- Out-of-State:$13,630
Net Price: $13,978
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 10,072
Undergrad Students: 9,000
Graduate Students: 1,072
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

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21

Lake Superior State University

Score: 66.85

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,266
- Out-of-State:$14,266
Net Price: $14,336
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 1,655
Undergrad Students: 1,655
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

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22

Madonna University

Score: 66.06

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,360
- Out-of-State:$27,360
Net Price: $18,344
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 2,109
Undergrad Students: 1,766
Graduate Students: 343
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

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23

Cornerstone University

Score: 64.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,100
- Out-of-State:$29,100
Net Price: $20,935
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 1,781
Undergrad Students: 1,433
Graduate Students: 348
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

24

Aquinas College

Score: 64.64

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,520
- Out-of-State:$38,520
Net Price: $18,605
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 1,265
Undergrad Students: 1,169
Graduate Students: 96
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

25

Northern Michigan University

Score: 64.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,304
- Out-of-State:$18,800
Net Price: $17,346
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 6,970
Undergrad Students: 6,434
Graduate Students: 536
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

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Online Accounting Education in Michigan

Online Associates (AS)

An associate degree from a Michigan community college or other institution is a low-cost and effective way to start an accounting career while also completing the core curriculum and about half of the college credit required for a baccalaureate degree.

An associate degree in accounting provides foundational knowledge in financial principles, bookkeeping, and business operations. Typically completed in two years, it prepares students for entry-level roles such as accounting clerks, bookkeepers, or payroll assistants. Courses often include financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and accounting software applications.

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Online Bachelors (BS)

A four-year degree in accounting is perhaps the best way to launch a career in accounting work. The Michigan Board of Accountancy requires that students have it to sit for the CPA exam offered by the AICPA, and it's a prerequisite for a graduate program.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting equips students with comprehensive knowledge of financial management, auditing, taxation, and business law. Typically completed in four years, it prepares graduates for roles such as accountants, auditors, or financial analysts. These degrees often include coursework in advanced accounting principles, cost accounting, and financial reporting. It lays the groundwork for pursuing certifications like CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant).

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Online Masters (MS)

Whether completed on the heels of a bachelor's degree or in mid-career, an advanced degree in accounting will open new opportunities for professionals in this field. In fact, instead of just continuing to earn college credit in basic accounting, a student could choose to complete graduate work at a business school and earn a master of business administration with an accounting MBA concentration. Accounting graduates who earn this type of advanced degree at the graduate level can gain access to executive compensation and high-level positions in any company.

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Online Doctorate (PhD)

This is the highest level of education possible. While the business community generally doesn't require such lofty degrees, a PhD in accounting is an advanced degree for those pursuing careers in research, teaching, or high-level roles. It focuses on accounting theories, research methods, and quantitative analysis, covering topics like financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and corporate governance. Candidates conduct original research and write a dissertation, often gaining teaching experience during the program. Graduates are equipped for roles as professors, researchers, or consultants. PhD programs typically take 4-6 years to complete.

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Become a Public Accountant in Michigan

It's extremely important for CPAs to have core competencies and standardized skills. But, like most jobs, a lot of the CPA's actual abilities are learned on the job through accounting experience and on the job training. That is why the Michigan State Board of Accountancy has experience requirements that require CPA candidates to earn practical work experience at an accounting firm or similar business before becoming eligible for licensure:

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You must earn at least 2,000 total hours of on-the-job work experience. This is equivalent to about one year of full-time employment. This work experience must meet several conditions:
- Be located in academia, private sector, public sector, or government
- Last for at least 1 year but be completed in less than 5 years
- Take place under the supervision of a CPA with an active license
- Experience earned in academia must occur over at least four academic semesters of teaching at least six credit hours over the course of a semester
Regardless of what setting the practical work experience takes place in it must involve at least one of these skills approved by the state board:
- Reviewing, auditing, and compiling financial statements
- Attestation
- Other auditing activities including operational audits, compliance audits, reporting, or reviews of internal controls
- Preparing income tax or non-profit tax returns
- Doing financial forecasts and analyses
- Offering management advisory services including forensic auditing, business valuation, and fraud examination
Have the supervising CPA complete the Verification of Qualifying Experience form found in the CPA examination packet. Both you and the supervisor sign this form before submitting it to the state board and it must detail your accounting hours while working under this supervisor.

Exam Requirements

To demonstrate you have the skills and competencies required of all CPAs you must pass a standardized exam used in every state and provided by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA):

You are eligible as long as you have met the education requirement, earned at least 120 of the 150 required hours, or plan to reach either mark within 30 days of taking the exam.
- Register for the exam with the CPA Examination Services. You can either register online or download application forms to submit through the mail.
- Test takers must also request an official transcript from the intuition where you graduated of all accounting classes completed. Electronic submission is preferred, but if this is not possible transcripts may be submitted in a sealed official envelope.
- If you have met the education requirements, submit the exam application, transcript, and any exam fees to the CPA Examination Services – Michigan Coordinator, P.O. Box 198469, Nashville, TN 37219-8469.
- If you have not yet completed 150 semester hours, submit your application, transcript, and a Certificate of Enrollment form. The final document is completed by your college registrar.
- If you require any special accommodations during your examination, include an ADA Accommodation request form with your other application documents. If you met the education requirements outside the US, include an International Evaluation report.
The NASBA will notify you whether or not you're approved to take the exam. You can request to be notified by email, fax, or mail.
Use the Prometric website to find a testing facility near you, then sign up for a testing date that accommodates your schedule.

There are testing facilities throughout the state:
- Ann Arbor
- Auburn Hills
- Grand Rapids
- Lansing
- Livonia
- Sault Ste Marie
- Troy
You should research what info is on the exam and study extensively in advance. Earning a passing score on the exam is essential to advancing your CPA career, and the cost of taking it is high. Repeat attempts is negative for you both personally and professional, so prepare and practice for the test profusely and arrive at the testing center early to make sure you are able to sit for the exam on time.
Exam scores are accessible online 48 hours after the test is completed. An official declaration of scores is sent to you through the mail.

Getting Your License

The final step before becoming a licensed CPA is to apply for licensure. You can't skip this or the rest of the work would be a waste. Before starting the process, review the previous steps and verify that you have met the minimum policy requirements for education, exam, and experience.

Then follow these steps to complete the application process:

Use the online license application portal to complete the Michigan license application. First-time users must register with the system before accessing the documents.
Complete the Education Evaluation form resource to verify that you have met the minimum educational requirements. If you have a master's in accounting or master's in business administration with at least 12 semester hours of accounting coursework this form is not necessary.
Include certified copies of your exam scores if you took the Uniform CPA Exam in a state besides Michigan.
Send an official copy of your college's transcript and payment via check or money order to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909. All other documents are submitted electronically through the online portal
Wait for the state board to review your application and award/deny a CPA license.
If you have a CPA license in another state (excluding Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) it's possible to transfer it to Michigan. Applicants must have earned 150 semester hours of education, passed the Uniform CPA exam, and worked at least one year as a CPA.

Then they can apply for licensure as follow:
- Complete the Application for CPA Certificate and License/Registration by Reciprocity: US Jurisdictions Only. Do the same for the Certification of CPA Certificate and Grades form.
- Send all applicable forms along with a check or money order to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs address listed above.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements

A Michigan CPA license must be renewed every two years. As a condition of renewal, all active CPAs must meet minimum requirements for continuing professional education (CPE):

CPAs must complete at least 40 hours of CPE every year with certain conditions:
- At least 8 hours must be in accounting and auditing subjects
- A maximum of 20 hours may be earned through self-study
- A minimum of 2 hours must be in professional ethics
- Only one year of CPE requirement (eg. 8 hours of auditing) may be carried over from one year to the next.
CPE hours are offered though a number of programs and outlets, but they must meet certain conditions set by the state:
- Group programs must include written certification of attendance.
- Non-credit college courses count as 1 hour. College courses for credit count for 15 hours.
- One hour of working as an instructor, speaker, teacher, or discussion leader is equal to 3 hours of CPE. Instructing cannot make up more than 20 hours of CPE per year.
- Self-study programs must provide a certificate of completion.
All CPE earned must be focused on an approved accounting subject. The list below is comprehensive but not complete.
- Auditing
- Accounting
- Economics
- Management Advisory
- Business Law
- Finance
- Taxation
- Business Valuation
- Ethics
Keep records on all completed CPE going back 4 years. Records must include the place/time of the program, a description of the content, title/sponsor of the program, and written verification of attendance.

Careers for Graduates

Salaries

Michigan is known as one of the biggest automotive manufacturing hubs in the United States. Because it’s the home to so many major corporations, the need for financial analysts and accountants is significant. In southern areas of the state like Detroit and Lansing, accountants and auditors account for nearly one out of every hundred jobs held. Accountants who are fortunate enough to work in the Warren area have it the best, bringing in a mean annual salary of $87,920. The accounting jobs in Michigan aren’t going anywhere, either--the state boasts a projected job growth outlook of 4 percent through 2032.

City	Annual Median Wage
Detriot	$87,920
Ann Arbor	$89,040
Grand Rapids	$80,840
Warren	$87,920

Entry Level	Mid Career	Late Career
$48,730	$76,190	$96,920

Cost Estimator: $69,200
Auditor: $60,000
Budget Analyst: $48,900
Credit Analyst: $48,000
Financial Analyst: $60,000
Personal Financial Advisor: $105,000
Financial Examiner: $60,100
Tax Preparer: $51,000
Actuary: $50,200
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk: $43,500

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Michigan Accounting Frequently Asked Questions

How much do accountants make in this state?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for accountants and auditors is $75,000 per year. This is a bit more than the national average salary that the BLS reports, which is $71,000. By comparison, Michigan bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks earn an average salary of $40,000. The national average wage for that employment sector is $41,000.

What are the educational requirements to sit for the exam here?

Candidates for the CPA examination in Michigan must have completed, or be within 60 days of completing, 120 hours of undergraduate credits that culminate in at least bachelor’s degree. To attain a Michigan state CPA license, however, students must have a total of 150 semester hours that include 30 hours in accounting and 39 hours in general business subjects. Students with an MBA or a graduate-level accounting degree must have 12 graduate semester hours in accounting.

How many accounting jobs are there in the state?

Michigan currently employs more than 35,000 accountants and auditors. The vast majority of those professionals work in the Detroit area, with smaller pockets in Grand Rapids and Lansing. Bookkeepers, by contrast, have slightly higher numbers (37,000), with almost half of them working in the Detroit area. The Lansing and Grand Rapids areas are also hotbeds of bookkeeping employment.

Can I get an online accounting degree?

Yes, Michigan students can complete an online degree in accounting. The University of Michigan at Flint, for example, offers accounting students an online degree option for a master's degree in accounting. Though there aren't many other online opportunities for Michigan accounting students right now, there are still many online accounting programs available elsewhere in the nation that are available from any convenient Wi-Fi connection.

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How to Become an Accountant or CPA in Michigan

What is Accounting?

Top Ranked Campus & Online Accounting Programs in Michigan

Hillsdale College

Andrews University

Hope College

Northwood University

Northwood University-Midland

Spring Arbor University

Cornerstone University

Aquinas College

Online Accounting Education in Michigan

Online Associates (AS)

Online Bachelors (BS)

Online Masters (MS)

Online Doctorate (PhD)

Become a Public Accountant in Michigan

Exam Requirements

Getting Your License

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements

Careers for Graduates

Salaries

Michigan Accounting Frequently Asked Questions

How much do accountants make in this state?

What are the educational requirements to sit for the exam here?

How many accounting jobs are there in the state?

Can I get an online accounting degree?

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