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


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,627
    • Out-of-State:$16,419
  • Net Price: $437
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 40%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,255
  • Undergrad Students: 1,702
  • Graduate Students: 553
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Texas A&M University-Central Texas
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2
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,846
    • Out-of-State:$19,382
  • Net Price: $3,833
  • Acceptance Rate: 46%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,536
  • Undergrad Students: 7,004
  • Graduate Students: 1,532
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • Texas A&M International University
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3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,464
    • Out-of-State:$15,414
  • Net Price: $3,989
  • Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • Retention Rate: 88%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,698
  • Undergrad Students: 16,086
  • Graduate Students: 3,612
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
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4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,410
    • Out-of-State:$15,360
  • Net Price: $4,076
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 12,894
  • Undergrad Students: 11,227
  • Graduate Students: 1,667
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • CUNY Lehman College
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5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,452
    • Out-of-State:$15,402
  • Net Price: $4,105
  • Acceptance Rate: 54%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,935
  • Undergrad Students: 11,330
  • Graduate Students: 2,605
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • CUNY Brooklyn College
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6
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,382
    • Out-of-State:$15,332
  • Net Price: $4,127
  • Acceptance Rate: 54%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 22,879
  • Undergrad Students: 17,378
  • Graduate Students: 5,501
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY Hunter College
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7
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,283
    • Out-of-State:$10,189
  • Net Price: $5,083
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 60%
  • Graduation Rate: 30%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,902
  • Undergrad Students: 4,902
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $57,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Dalton State College
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8
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,922
    • Out-of-State:$8,673
  • Net Price: $5,274
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 47%
  • Graduation Rate: 26%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,071
  • Undergrad Students: 1,071
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $50,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Oklahoma Panhandle State University
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9
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,538
    • Out-of-State:$15,488
  • Net Price: $5,339
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,481
  • Undergrad Students: 13,998
  • Graduate Students: 2,483
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY Queens College
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10

Indiana University-Northwest

Score: 89.98

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,179
    • Out-of-State:$22,043
  • Net Price: $5,553
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,045
  • Undergrad Students: 2,787
  • Graduate Students: 258
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Indiana University-Northwest
11

CUNY York College

Score: 89.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,358
    • Out-of-State:$15,308
  • Net Price: $5,631
  • Acceptance Rate: 59%
  • Retention Rate: 60%
  • Graduation Rate: 30%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,161
  • Undergrad Students: 5,906
  • Graduate Students: 255
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • CUNY York College
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12
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,400
    • Out-of-State:$14,328
  • Net Price: $6,102
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,310
  • Undergrad Students: 1,310
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Northern New Mexico College
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13

CUNY Medgar Evers College

Score: 88.7

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,352
    • Out-of-State:$15,302
  • Net Price: $6,207
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 52%
  • Graduation Rate: 22%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,846
  • Undergrad Students: 3,846
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY Medgar Evers College
14
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,490
    • Out-of-State:$15,440
  • Net Price: $6,355
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,736
  • Undergrad Students: 9,786
  • Graduate Students: 950
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • College of Staten Island CUNY
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15
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,863
    • Out-of-State:$8,843
  • Net Price: $6,683
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 40%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,386
  • Undergrad Students: 4,072
  • Graduate Students: 1,314
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Eastern New Mexico University
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16
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,859
    • Out-of-State:$19,939
  • Net Price: $6,978
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,931
  • Undergrad Students: 27,040
  • Graduate Students: 4,891
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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17

Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto

Score: 86.94

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,760
    • Out-of-State:$14,760
  • Net Price: $7,108
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 575
  • Undergrad Students: 183
  • Graduate Students: 392
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 5:1
  • Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto
18
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$4,656
  • Net Price: $7,295
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 42,996
  • Undergrad Students: 42,996
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Brigham Young University-Idaho
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19
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,969
    • Out-of-State:$7,969
  • Net Price: $7,298
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,847
  • Undergrad Students: 5,845
  • Graduate Students: 1,002
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Fayetteville State University
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20
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,412
    • Out-of-State:$7,412
  • Net Price: $7,363
  • Acceptance Rate: 70%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 48%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,165
  • Undergrad Students: 2,048
  • Graduate Students: 117
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Elizabeth City State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
21

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Score: 86.07

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,327
    • Out-of-State:$20,481
  • Net Price: $7,554
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,736
  • Undergrad Students: 2,548
  • Graduate Students: 7,188
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 27:1
  • Louisiana State University-Shreveport
22
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,612
    • Out-of-State:$15,521
  • Net Price: $7,632
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 29%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,739
  • Undergrad Students: 1,508
  • Graduate Students: 231
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • University of the Virgin Islands
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23
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,001
    • Out-of-State:$13,789
  • Net Price: $7,684
  • Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 26%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,101
  • Undergrad Students: 1,810
  • Graduate Students: 291
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Coppin State University
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24
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,200
    • Out-of-State:$16,410
  • Net Price: $8,064
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,794
  • Undergrad Students: 3,207
  • Graduate Students: 2,587
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • Southeastern Oklahoma State University
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25
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,050
    • Out-of-State:$14,650
  • Net Price: $8,081
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,330
  • Undergrad Students: 5,330
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $53,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Louisiana State University-Alexandria
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26
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,896
    • Out-of-State:$21,480
  • Net Price: $8,151
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 48%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,961
  • Undergrad Students: 9,927
  • Graduate Students: 5,034
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Northern Kentucky University
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27
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,095
    • Out-of-State:$18,975
  • Net Price: $8,222
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 37,760
  • Undergrad Students: 32,429
  • Graduate Students: 5,331
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • California State University-Northridge
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28
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,147
    • Out-of-State:$25,271
  • Net Price: $8,353
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 52%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,779
  • Undergrad Students: 12,113
  • Graduate Students: 2,666
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • New Mexico State University
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29
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,498
    • Out-of-State:$16,218
  • Net Price: $8,506
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,078
  • Undergrad Students: 2,857
  • Graduate Students: 221
  • Grads Salary: $62,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • Savannah State University
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30
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,270
    • Out-of-State:$17,830
  • Net Price: $8,650
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 44,651
  • Undergrad Students: 43,794
  • Graduate Students: 857
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 28:1
  • Utah Valley University
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31

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Score: 83.67

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,855
    • Out-of-State:$16,497
  • Net Price: $8,778
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 40%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,008
  • Undergrad Students: 3,263
  • Graduate Students: 745
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Wisconsin-Parkside
32
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,360
    • Out-of-State:$19,241
  • Net Price: $8,908
  • Acceptance Rate: 57%
  • Retention Rate: 88%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,371
  • Undergrad Students: 9,661
  • Graduate Students: 4,710
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • The University of West Florida
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33

University of North Texas at Dallas

Score: 83.02

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,590
    • Out-of-State:$22,189
  • Net Price: $9,109
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,797
  • Undergrad Students: 3,018
  • Graduate Students: 779
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of North Texas at Dallas
34
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,280
    • Out-of-State:$8,280
  • Net Price: $9,186
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 24%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,742
  • Undergrad Students: 3,203
  • Graduate Students: 539
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • University of Arkansas Grantham
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35
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,568
    • Out-of-State:$22,284
  • Net Price: $9,231
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 60%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,198
  • Undergrad Students: 6,765
  • Graduate Students: 1,433
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Tennessee State University
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36
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,252
    • Out-of-State:$22,017
  • Net Price: $9,241
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,661
  • Undergrad Students: 2,342
  • Graduate Students: 2,319
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of Illinois Springfield
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37
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,442
    • Out-of-State:$11,074
  • Net Price: $9,302
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 27%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,098
  • Undergrad Students: 1,098
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $55,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Harris-Stowe State University
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38

East Central University

Score: 82.54

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,032
    • Out-of-State:$17,542
  • Net Price: $9,355
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 57%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,200
  • Undergrad Students: 2,460
  • Graduate Students: 740
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • East Central University
39
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,068
    • Out-of-State:$15,790
  • Net Price: $9,397
  • Acceptance Rate: 71%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,842
  • Undergrad Students: 5,301
  • Graduate Students: 541
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Clayton State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
40
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,300
    • Out-of-State:$8,300
  • Net Price: $9,555
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 185,015
  • Undergrad Students: 135,822
  • Graduate Students: 49,193
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 42:1
  • Western Governors University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
41
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,419
    • Out-of-State:$15,620
  • Net Price: $9,637
  • Acceptance Rate: 71%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,679
  • Undergrad Students: 7,902
  • Graduate Students: 777
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Purdue University Northwest
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42
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,571
    • Out-of-State:$7,571
  • Net Price: $9,687
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,630
  • Undergrad Students: 5,485
  • Graduate Students: 2,145
  • Grads Salary: $56,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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43
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,942
    • Out-of-State:$20,294
  • Net Price: $9,734
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,027
  • Undergrad Students: 8,235
  • Graduate Students: 2,792
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Marshall University
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44
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,708
    • Out-of-State:$19,452
  • Net Price: $9,738
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,841
  • Undergrad Students: 7,878
  • Graduate Students: 1,963
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Murray State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
45
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,879
    • Out-of-State:$17,324
  • Net Price: $9,839
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
  • Total Enrollment: 30,790
  • Undergrad Students: 24,614
  • Graduate Students: 6,176
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • Florida Atlantic University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
46

University of Houston-Victoria

Score: 81.45

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,499
    • Out-of-State:$17,291
  • Net Price: $9,912
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 27%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,784
  • Undergrad Students: 2,707
  • Graduate Students: 1,077
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of Houston-Victoria
47
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,640
    • Out-of-State:$22,752
  • Net Price: $9,985
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,640
  • Undergrad Students: 5,638
  • Graduate Students: 1,002
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
48
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,559
    • Out-of-State:$41,913
  • Net Price: $10,013
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,809
  • Undergrad Students: 5,248
  • Graduate Students: 561
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • University of Washington-Bothell
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49
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,838
    • Out-of-State:$14,706
  • Net Price: $10,017
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 48%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,618
  • Undergrad Students: 8,058
  • Graduate Students: 560
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Morehead State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
50
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,904
    • Out-of-State:$23,212
  • Net Price: $10,143
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,899
  • Undergrad Students: 4,654
  • Graduate Students: 1,245
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • The University of Texas Permian Basin
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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.

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Are These Programs in High Demand?


Given the high demand for accounting professionals across industries and locations, accounting graduates are in strong demand. In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported over 1.5 million accounting professionals in the US, with a 6% growth rate projected for accounting and auditing jobs from 2023-2033, aligning with the national average. The median pay for accountants and auditors in 2023 was $79,880, 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 5% decline in the bookkeeping and auditing clerk subsector between 2023-2033, with a median pay of $47,440, 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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