University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs for accounting.
If you're looking to earn an accounting degree from one of the best accounting bachelor's programs online, you're in the right place. We've listed top colleges and universities offering accounting degrees, with details on school size, tuition, graduation rates, and more. Browse through to find the best fit for you, whether you prioritize prestige, job placement, or proximity to home.
Choosing the right institution for an education in accounting is a key decision that shapes your career. The best accounting schools offer rigorous curricula that prepare students for the CPA exam while providing a strong foundation in business and financial management. These top programs are known for high placement rates, expert faculty, and robust professional networks.
Your path to a successful accounting career begins with choosing a program that aligns with your goals and learning style. Top-ranked accredited institutions offer a mix of theory and practical experience, keeping you updated on industry practices. These schools also provide specializations, such as managerial accounting, auditing, and tax accounting, allowing you to tailor your education to your career aspirations.
It's important to assess each school's accounting resources, like career support services and alumni networks, as they can significantly impact your post-graduate success. Top-ranked schools often have strong connections with the business world, offering clear pathways to internships and job opportunities. Consider what each program offers and how it fits into your long-term career goals, as your choice can shape your future in accounting and business.
Top 25 Best Campus Accounting Schools
Rice University
Score: 93.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,128
- Out-of-State:$58,128
- Net Price: $20,587
- Acceptance Rate: 8%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
- Total Enrollment: 8,556
- Undergrad Students: 4,574
- Graduate Students: 3,982
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
University of Pennsylvania
Score: 92.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,104
- Out-of-State:$66,104
- Net Price: $26,017
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
- Total Enrollment: 28,711
- Undergrad Students: 11,611
- Graduate Students: 17,100
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Washington and Lee University
Score: 89.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,525
- Out-of-State:$64,525
- Net Price: $24,667
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 2,277
- Undergrad Students: 1,898
- Graduate Students: 379
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Score: 89.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,228
- Out-of-State:$58,072
- Net Price: $19,005
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 52,065
- Undergrad Students: 33,730
- Graduate Students: 18,335
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Vanderbilt University
Score: 88.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,946
- Out-of-State:$63,946
- Net Price: $26,689
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 13,456
- Undergrad Students: 7,152
- Graduate Students: 6,304
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of Notre Dame
Score: 87.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,693
- Out-of-State:$62,693
- Net Price: $29,083
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
- Total Enrollment: 13,174
- Undergrad Students: 8,968
- Graduate Students: 4,206
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of Virginia
Score: 87.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,986
- Out-of-State:$58,014
- Net Price: $17,831
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 25,924
- Undergrad Students: 17,612
- Graduate Students: 8,312
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Washington University in St. Louis
Score: 87.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,982
- Out-of-State:$62,982
- Net Price: $22,440
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 16,500
- Undergrad Students: 8,267
- Graduate Students: 8,233
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of California-Irvine
Score: 86.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,237
- Out-of-State:$45,014
- Net Price: $14,647
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 36,582
- Undergrad Students: 29,503
- Graduate Students: 7,079
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Florida
Score: 86.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State:$28,659
- Net Price: $11,521
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 54,814
- Undergrad Students: 34,924
- Graduate Students: 19,890
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Score: 85.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State:$39,330
- Net Price: $11,140
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 32,234
- Undergrad Students: 20,681
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Washington
Score: 85.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State:$41,997
- Net Price: $11,023
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 55,620
- Undergrad Students: 39,515
- Graduate Students: 16,105
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Emory University
Score: 85.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,774
- Out-of-State:$60,774
- Net Price: $27,986
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 15,046
- Undergrad Students: 7,359
- Graduate Students: 7,687
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
New York University
Score: 85.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,438
- Out-of-State:$60,438
- Net Price: $30,730
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 57,335
- Undergrad Students: 29,760
- Graduate Students: 27,575
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
University of Southern California
Score: 84.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State:$68,237
- Net Price: $41,496
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 47,147
- Undergrad Students: 21,023
- Graduate Students: 26,124
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Lehigh University
Score: 84.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,180
- Out-of-State:$62,180
- Net Price: $33,289
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 7,590
- Undergrad Students: 5,811
- Graduate Students: 1,779
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Binghamton University
Score: 84.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,363
- Out-of-State:$29,453
- Net Price: $18,860
- Acceptance Rate: 38%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 18,456
- Undergrad Students: 14,409
- Graduate Students: 4,047
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Villanova University
Score: 84.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,701
- Out-of-State:$64,701
- Net Price: $37,946
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 10,111
- Undergrad Students: 7,063
- Graduate Students: 3,048
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
University of Maryland
Score: 84.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,505
- Out-of-State:$40,306
- Net Price: $15,833
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 40,813
- Undergrad Students: 30,608
- Graduate Students: 10,205
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
The University of Texas at Austin
Score: 84.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,678
- Out-of-State:$42,778
- Net Price: $18,036
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 53,082
- Undergrad Students: 42,444
- Graduate Students: 10,638
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of California-Davis
Score: 83.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,247
- Out-of-State:$46,024
- Net Price: $17,315
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 39,707
- Undergrad Students: 31,797
- Graduate Students: 7,910
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Georgetown University
Score: 83.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,081
- Out-of-State:$65,081
- Net Price: $37,967
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 20,392
- Undergrad Students: 7,968
- Graduate Students: 12,424
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Purdue University
Score: 83.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State:$28,794
- Net Price: $12,421
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 52,905
- Undergrad Students: 39,864
- Graduate Students: 13,041
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
William & Mary
Score: 83.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,040
- Out-of-State:$49,412
- Net Price: $20,422
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 9,762
- Undergrad Students: 6,963
- Graduate Students: 2,799
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Score: 83.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,895
- Out-of-State:$31,767
- Net Price: $14,860
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 37,323
- Undergrad Students: 27,323
- Graduate Students: 10,000
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Academic Excellence and Curriculum
When choosing a school for your accounting degree program, the variety of majors and hands-on learning opportunities are pivotal in shaping your expertise and career readiness.
Majors and Specializations
Your journey in accounting starts with selecting a major or specialization that aligns with your career goals. Degree programs might include a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting, or even a PhD for those inclined toward academic research. Within these programs, courses cover an array of topics, from basic principles to advanced financial analysis.
- Bachelor's Level: Fundamental accounting principles, tax accounting, auditing
- MBA Level: Advanced management accounting, strategic cost analysis, international accounting
- PhD Level: Research methodologies, statistical analysis in accounting
Undergraduate programs often offer study abroad opportunities, allowing you to understand accounting in a global context, which is invaluable in today's interconnected market.
Internship and Hands-on Learning Opportunities
To enhance your employability, seek programs that incorporate internships or project-based learning. Internships provide you with practical experience, networking opportunities, and could potentially lead to job offers post-graduation.
- Internship Examples:
- Big Four accounting firms
- Corporate finance departments
- Non-profit organizations
Hands-on projects may involve real-world case studies or simulations. Such experiential learning ensures you're not only theoretically knowledgeable but also proficient in applying accounting practices in professional settings.
When researching degree-level rankings or major-specific rankings, consider how well these programs integrate practical experiences within their curriculum, as these will be crucial to your development as an accounting professional.