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 affordable programs for accounting.
Accounting is a field where students can utilize their love for numbers to ensure that organizations are correctly managing their budgets. Unlike many other math-based careers, accounting is highly rooted in real-world applications, which can be a plus for individuals who enjoy seeing how their work directly contributes to improving the functionality of their firm. Given the complexity of the tax code and key accounting principles like GAAP, most accounting professionals need to undergo years of rigorous education and training before they are ready to embark on this career path. Here you’ll find some of the best and most affordable accounting programs in the United States.
Featured Online Programs
Top 50 Affordable Accounting Colleges and Universities
Johns Hopkins University
Score: 92.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,340
- Out-of-State:$63,340
- Net Price: $24,034
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 31,275
- Undergrad Students: 6,044
- Graduate Students: 25,231
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
University of California-Irvine
Score: 88.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,237
- Out-of-State:$45,014
- Net Price: $14,033
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 35,937
- Undergrad Students: 28,662
- Graduate Students: 7,275
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Washington
Score: 87.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State:$41,997
- Net Price: $10,603
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 52,319
- Undergrad Students: 36,213
- Graduate Students: 16,106
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of Florida
Score: 87.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State:$28,659
- Net Price: $11,740
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Total Enrollment: 55,211
- Undergrad Students: 34,552
- Graduate Students: 20,659
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of California-Santa Barbara
Score: 85.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,965
- Out-of-State:$45,742
- Net Price: $16,874
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 26,420
- Undergrad Students: 23,459
- Graduate Students: 2,961
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Maryland
Score: 85.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,505
- Out-of-State:$40,306
- Net Price: $16,210
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 40,792
- Undergrad Students: 30,353
- Graduate Students: 10,439
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Purdue University
Score: 84.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State:$28,794
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Score: 83.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,464
- Out-of-State:$15,414
- Net Price: $4,991
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 19,854
- Undergrad Students: 15,896
- Graduate Students: 3,958
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Brigham Young University
Score: 81.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,496
- Out-of-State:$6,496
- Net Price: $13,521
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 34,464
- Undergrad Students: 31,411
- Graduate Students: 3,053
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Florida State University
Score: 81.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,656
- Out-of-State:$18,786
- Net Price: $14,003
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 44,161
- Undergrad Students: 32,936
- Graduate Students: 11,225
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Ohio State University
Score: 80.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,859
- Out-of-State:$38,365
- Net Price: $19,582
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 60,540
- Undergrad Students: 46,123
- Graduate Students: 14,417
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 80.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State:$40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Delaware
Score: 79.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,080
- Out-of-State:$39,720
- Net Price: $18,044
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 24,039
- Undergrad Students: 19,482
- Graduate Students: 4,557
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Score: 79.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,357
- Out-of-State:$39,293
- Net Price: $22,291
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 32,229
- Undergrad Students: 24,391
- Graduate Students: 7,838
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of South Florida
Score: 78.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State:$17,324
- Net Price: $11,004
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 49,600
- Undergrad Students: 38,047
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
University of California-Riverside
Score: 78.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,170
- Out-of-State:$44,947
- Net Price: $14,487
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 26,809
- Undergrad Students: 22,911
- Graduate Students: 3,898
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Washington-Bothell
Score: 78.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,559
- Out-of-State:$41,913
- Net Price: $9,357
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 5,735
- Undergrad Students: 5,192
- Graduate Students: 543
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Bentley University
Score: 78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,150
- Out-of-State:$58,150
- Net Price: $44,233
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 5,165
- Undergrad Students: 4,131
- Graduate Students: 1,034
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
James Madison University
Score: 76.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,576
- Out-of-State:$30,790
- Net Price: $18,274
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 22,224
- Undergrad Students: 20,346
- Graduate Students: 1,878
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Central Florida
Score: 76.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
Auburn University
Score: 76.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,536
- Out-of-State:$33,944
- Net Price: $25,271
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 31,764
- Undergrad Students: 25,379
- Graduate Students: 6,385
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto
Score: 76.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,760
- Out-of-State:$14,760
- Net Price: $18,306
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 393
- Undergrad Students: 159
- Graduate Students: 234
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
The University of Texas at Dallas
Score: 76.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,564
- Out-of-State:$40,064
- Net Price: $13,555
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 31,570
- Undergrad Students: 21,617
- Graduate Students: 9,953
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
Wheeling University
Score: 75.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,475
- Out-of-State:$29,475
- Net Price: $19,998
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 749
- Undergrad Students: 594
- Graduate Students: 155
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
George Washington University
Score: 75.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,990
- Out-of-State:$64,990
- Net Price: $42,723
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 25,939
- Undergrad Students: 11,482
- Graduate Students: 14,457
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Score: 75.5
- 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
Texas A&M International University
Score: 75.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,846
- Out-of-State:$19,382
- Net Price: $5,383
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 8,505
- Undergrad Students: 6,979
- Graduate Students: 1,526
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
California State University-Chico
Score: 75.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,064
- Out-of-State:$19,944
- Net Price: $15,517
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 14,183
- Undergrad Students: 12,981
- Graduate Students: 1,202
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Regis University
Score: 75.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,980
- Out-of-State:$43,980
- Net Price: $26,377
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 4,668
- Undergrad Students: 2,398
- Graduate Students: 2,270
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Grove City College
Score: 75.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,890
- Out-of-State:$20,890
- Net Price: $23,538
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 2,316
- Undergrad Students: 2,289
- Graduate Students: 27
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
CUNY Brooklyn College
Score: 75.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,452
- Out-of-State:$15,402
- Net Price: $5,972
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 14,195
- Undergrad Students: 11,661
- Graduate Students: 2,534
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Florida International University
Score: 75.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
CUNY Hunter College
Score: 75.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,382
- Out-of-State:$15,332
- Net Price: $4,848
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 22,970
- Undergrad Students: 17,256
- Graduate Students: 5,714
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Arizona
Score: 75.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State:$41,095
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Fairfield University
Score: 74.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,360
- Out-of-State:$56,360
- Net Price: $46,065
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 6,019
- Undergrad Students: 4,757
- Graduate Students: 1,262
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
North Carolina A&T State University
Score: 74.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State:$20,408
- Net Price: $9,189
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 13,487
- Undergrad Students: 11,833
- Graduate Students: 1,654
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Vermont
Score: 74.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,890
- Out-of-State:$43,890
- Net Price: $21,849
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 14,088
- Undergrad Students: 11,898
- Graduate Students: 2,190
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Score: 74.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,578
- Out-of-State:$20,228
- Net Price: $13,799
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 2,842
- Undergrad Students: 1,982
- Graduate Students: 860
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Syracuse University
Score: 74.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,061
- Out-of-State:$63,061
- Net Price: $43,651
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 22,698
- Undergrad Students: 15,421
- Graduate Students: 7,277
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 74.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State:$21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
CUNY Queens College
Score: 73.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,538
- Out-of-State:$15,488
- Net Price: $6,434
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 17,001
- Undergrad Students: 14,406
- Graduate Students: 2,595
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of New Hampshire
Score: 73.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,112
- Out-of-State:$38,882
- Net Price: $24,507
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 13,953
- Undergrad Students: 11,512
- Graduate Students: 2,441
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Arizona State University
Score: 73.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Washington State University
Score: 73.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,997
- Out-of-State:$29,073
- Net Price: $17,911
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 27,539
- Undergrad Students: 22,612
- Graduate Students: 4,927
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
California State University-Northridge
Score: 73.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State:$18,975
- Net Price: $8,936
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 37,579
- Undergrad Students: 32,181
- Graduate Students: 5,398
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Temple University
Score: 73.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,082
- Out-of-State:$37,462
- Net Price: $23,935
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 33,196
- Undergrad Students: 24,106
- Graduate Students: 9,090
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Score: 72.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,484
- Out-of-State:$31,974
- Net Price: $21,880
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 33,805
- Undergrad Students: 27,039
- Graduate Students: 6,766
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Saint Francis University
Score: 72.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,720
- Out-of-State:$41,720
- Net Price: $27,459
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 2,857
- Undergrad Students: 2,461
- Graduate Students: 396
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Arkansas
Score: 72.42
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,748
- Out-of-State:$28,772
- Net Price: $16,208
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 30,936
- Undergrad Students: 26,269
- Graduate Students: 4,667
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
CUNY Lehman College
Score: 72.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,410
- Out-of-State:$15,360
- Net Price: $4,974
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 13,015
- Undergrad Students: 11,211
- Graduate Students: 1,804
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Why an Accounting Degree?
When most future students think of accounting, they may envision a bookkeeper focused on journal entries, but the field is much more diverse and flexible. Accounting offers various job applications, allowing for vertical promotions or even career shifts. Students can specialize in areas like auditing, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and payroll services, building careers in these specialties. Accountants can eventually move into managerial roles, head tax practices, or even start their own firms. With specialized education and certifications like the CPA exam, accounting is a stable career. Most organizations will eventually need accounting professionals, ensuring consistent job demand.
Find Your Accounting Program
Are These Programs in High Demand?
Given the high demand for accounting professionals across industries and locations, accounting graduates are in strong demand. In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported over 1.4 million accounting professionals in the U.S., with a 4% growth rate projected for accounting and auditing jobs from 2019-2029, aligning with the national average. The median pay for accountants and auditors in 2019 was $71,550, making accounting a lucrative career path.
However, not all accounting degrees are equal. The level of education and the school you attend impact your job prospects and salary potential. University HQ ranks top programs for associates, bachelor's and master's in accounting, including online options. The BLS also noted a 6% decline in the bookkeeping and auditing clerk subsector between 2019-2029, with a median pay of $41,230, indicating that those with less specialized training may face more competition in the job market, especially with advances in accounting software.
What Can You Do After Graduating?
When a student completes their accounting degree, they have several important career choices to make. First, they should decide which industry they wish to join. Then, they should consider whether they wish to pursue a specific accounting specialization. Given the high demand for CPA professionals across multiple business industries, accounting students can decide if they wish to join a specialized accounting firm that serves clients from all walks of life or if they wish to join the accounting department of a company directly after graduation. For instance, accounting students who also enjoy technology can choose to join the finance department of a company like Google or Microsoft, allowing them to take advantage of the best of both worlds. Additionally, given that many large organizations have complex financial needs, accountants who do not work for an accounting firm will typically focus on helping firms balance one or two important accounts. Therefore, once accounting students enter the workforce, they will often choose to specialize in positions like accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, compliance officer, auditor, tax accountant, budget analyst, controller, bookkeeper, or forensic accountant, among many possible career paths. University HQ has a large list of accounting resources for current accounting students and accountants already employed.
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