One of the best accounting degrees will set you up for a life of competitive salaries, captivating jobs, and access to the big-name companies you seek to join.
The economy is massive in scope. So, it’s challenging to understand the economy and even harder to predict it. But one of the 35 Best Bachelor’s in Accounting degrees will give you a head start to prosper in it. It’ll help you understand our financial system, too. And, because why not dream? It can help you climb right to the top.
Accounting is a field as old as currency. Since the first accountants organized oblong coins and other tokens, the industry has changed a lot. Now we have computers, robust financial systems, and more connectivity than ever before. And these facts make accounting more important, useful, and interesting than ever before. So, why not join the field?
Accounting is a competitive sector with:
- High paying jobs
- Big name corporations
- Secure careers
Who doesn’t want to be an accountant? And it can be hard to get a leg up in the field. It can be if you went somewhere besides the 35 Best Bachelor’s in Accounting programs. Now, let’s find out just where you fit in.
See Also: 30 Best Bachelor’s in Finance
What Is an Accounting Degree?
You need to do a few things you need to do before suiting up for your first day on the job. First, you have to get a four-year degree. Bachelor’s programs require four years’ worth of schooling. You can enroll for four full-time years or half your load and finish in eight—it’s up to you. But most accounting students finish school in four to five years.
Some notable accounting courses are:
- Accounting Control Systems
- Principles of Taxation
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Income Tax Problems
Bachelor’s programs often pair these accounting-focused courses with business classes. And most bachelor’s programs require accounting students to take general education courses in the liberal arts, math, science, and health.
Requirements vary for bachelor’s programs in accounting. The best accounting degrees will require:
- A high school diploma
- A 3.0 or higher GPA
- At least a couple of promising letters of recommendation
- A clear commitment to accounting
A lower GPA and GED may be enough to gain enrollment in less competitive schools.
See Also: 35 Best MBA Programs
Careers for Accounting Majors
Accounting is a preparatory major, meaning that it directly readies students for a career as an accountant. Most accounting majors become accountants. Some accounting graduates become:
- budget analysts
- financial analysts
- personal finance advisors
Below, we will tell you more about employment in each field. The following statistics are reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- There are 1,392,200 accountants in the country. This amount will grow by 7% by 2030.
- There are 52,500 budget analysts. This amount will grow by 5% by 2030.
- There are 492,100 financial analysts. This amount will grow by 6% by 2030.
- There are 275,200 personal financial advisors. This amount will grow by 5% by 2030.
See Also: 5 Best Bachelor’s in Forensic Accounting
Master’s in Accounting Salary Potential
You don’t want to study one of the principal means of organizing money just to make pocket change, right? Thankfully, accounting and accounting-related fields make more-than-liveable incomes. Late-career salaries often exceed six figures, as can prominent early and mid-career salaries with big names.
Here are the average, lowest, and highest salaries for accounting and accounting-related fields, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Accountants make an average of $73,560 per year. The highest 10% earn over $128,680 per year; the bottom 10% make less than $45,220.
- Budget analysts make an average of $78,970 per year. The highest 10% earn over $121,360 per year; the bottom 10% make less than $51,220.
- Financial analysts make an average of $83,660 per year. The highest 10% earn over $159,560 per year; the bottom 10% make less than $48,760.
- Personal financial advisors make an average of $89,330 per year. The highest 10% earn over $208,000 per year; the bottom 10% make less than $44,100.
What Are the Best Accounting Degrees?
At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net.
Best Colleges for Accounting
1
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Accounting programs don’t get any better than at the University of Illinois. Elite professors, prestigious alumni, amazing value—what more can you ask for? The University of Illinois offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting through the Gies College of Business. Besides accounting, the college offers competitive programs in:
- Management
- Marketing
- Information systems
- Finance
- Entrepreneurship
This top accounting program requires students to take business core and financing core courses. Some notable classes that you will take are:
- Auditing Standards and Practice
- Principles of Taxation
- Accounting Measurement and Disclosure
- Business Analytics
- Business in a Global Perspective
- Corporate Finance
These courses, and the program in general, are demanding and competitive.
Being a top accounting program, you should have pretty good grades to gain admittance to the University of Illinois. But you don’t need Ivy League grades. Applying students should have a 3.0 or higher GPA, good SAT or ACT scores, excellent application essays, and a decent resume to have a good chance of admittance.
2
University of Maryland-College Park
The University of Maryland is on many lists. Whether you’re looking at our site or national reviews, you’ll probably find some programs from the University of Maryland on most best-of lists. And that’s because they deserve it. The school is known as a Public Ivy—a school with the academic rigor and reputation of an Ivy League school—and it lives up to the title.
The University of Maryland’s bachelor’s in accounting program is a standard four-year program combining:
- general elective
- accounting
- business courses
Some courses sample courses are:
- Strategic Management
- Business Finance
- Managing People and Organizations
- Taxation of Individuals
- Accounting Systems
You must also take an economics and business writing course.
You can choose to minor in business analytics or innovation and entrepreneurship. These minors complement your studies by offering supplementary skills that prepare you to open a future business.
3
University of Washington
The University of Washington is one of the most beautiful and prestigious public schools on the west coast. University of Washington fulfills every prospective students’ needs with:
- competitive academic programs
- successful sports teams
- an active campus life
And so does the school’s Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
Through the BA in business administration, you can choose to specialize in one of seven specializations, one of which is accounting. Some courses to expect are:
- Introduction to Information Systems
- Managerial Accounting
- Statistical Methods
- Global Business Perspectives
- Managerial Economics
You must also complete the Strategic Management Capstone.
The University of Washington also offers a prestigious Master of Professional Accounting program. This prepares you to sit for the CPA exam in Washington. This program has two tracks: audit and insurance; and taxation. You can apply to this program in your final semester of undergraduate study.
4
Ohio State University-Main Campus
The Ohio State University is beloved by all of its students, alumni, and faculty. The campus holds plenty of perks:
- It’s gorgeous.
- Its academics are competitive yet accessible.
- Its sports teams compete prominently on national stages.
- It has one of the best business schools in the nation.
It’s no surprise, then, that the Ohio State University’s Bachelor of Science in accounting features so high on this ranking.
You will begin this program with fundamental accounting and economic courses. Then, you will take more advanced classes like:
- Management Sciences
- International Business
- Advanced Accounting
- Introduction to Accounting Information Systems
- Logistic
Alongside these accounting-focused courses, you will also take several classes in the liberal arts.
This program encourages you to pursue internships in accounting. The Office of Career Management reports that 95% of accounting majors hold an internship before they graduate. Many of these students receive a full-time job offer before or upon graduation.
5
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University’s accounting department never falls short of the top-ten, no matter which ranking you’re reading. That’s because the school is:
- accomplished
- prestigious
- consistent
Its faculty members are dedicated to the school, and students are almost always satisfied with their experience at Indiana University.
You should highly consider pursuing a Bachelor of Science in accounting at Indiana University’s flagship Bloomington school.
Some notable courses that accounting majors take are:
- Communication for Accountants
- Cost Accounting, Topics in Accounting
- Advanced Management Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
You must maintain a 2.0 in the program and a C or higher in prerequisite accounting classes to remain in the program.
Like most accounting programs, Indiana University encourages its students to intern throughout the program. If students find no job leads of their own, they can contact Undergraduate Career Services. These professionals are connected with some of the best, highest-paying, and most prestigious employers in the state.
6
Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M University has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a military-focused agricultural and mechanical college. It has come so far, in fact, that the Texas A&M system now hosts the largest student body of any university in America. It’s home to:
- dozens of research facilities
- the George Bush Presidential Library
- one of the best business schools
Texas A&M University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting program. The program is one of the critical components of the school’s Mays Business School. In this accounting program, you have opportunities to:
- Study abroad
- Win one of several scholarships
- Use the outstanding resources of career services
- Take courses that will prepare you for the CPA exam and a lifetime of success
This top accounting program encourages accounting students to achieve outside of the program itself, by gaining a Certificate in Energy or Internal Audit Certificate. Additionally, you can join student organizations that foster success and help gain connections. Finally, the program encourages you to pursue internships and network with current students and alumni.
7
University of Florida
The University of Florida is never far from the top of any best-of lists. It’s such a good university that the U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Florida as tied for the seventh best public university in the United States. University of Florida graduates include:
- countless Olympians
- two Nobel Prize winners
- hundreds of successful business people
The University of Florida offers an excellent Bachelor of Science in accounting program. You can enroll in the standard 120-credit program that takes four years to complete. Or, you can opt for a dual bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. This takes only one additional year to complete.
Some notable courses in the University of Florida’s accounting program are:
- Principles of Economics
- Introduction to Managerial Accounting
- Introduction to Federal Income Tax
- The Legal Environment of Business
- Principles of Marketing
8
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a standout for a few reasons.
The University of Texas’s programs are top-notch. Its numerous prize-winning alumni and faculty members prove that its reputation is well-deserved. Finally, the accounting department at the University of Texas is really, really good. So good that it earned the U.S. News and World Report #1 spot for best accounting program.
The University of Texas offers an excellent Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on accounting. Some courses that accounting majors in this program take are:
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Fundamentals of Taxation
- Managerial Accounting & Control
- Intermediate Accounting
- Auditing and Control
This program suits accounting students who want to pursue a career in industry. It also puts a special focus on those who want to join a government agency. And being in the capital of Texas, the University of Texas offers outstanding opportunities to integrate into government agencies.
9
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University is known as the largest university in the Carolinas. It’s so focused on research that it earned Carnegie Classification’s R1 title for very high research activity. NC State is the largest university in the Carolinas. It offers hundreds of excellent programs, including a fantastic Bachelor of Science in accounting program.
Within the accounting program, you can concentrate on:
- Financial analysis
- Information systems
- Internal auditing
- Managerial auditing
- Government
- Nonprofit
The emphasis isn’t mandatory: you can choose a general track, too. Either way, accounting majors enroll in an exceptionally well-rounded curriculum.
Some courses that students in this program take are:
- Predictive Analytics for Business
- Introduction to Finite Mathematics
- Intro to Statistical Programming
- Principles of Macroeconomics
Accounting majors who choose a concentration must complete three classes in the chosen emphasis.
10
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the flagship university of the University of Wisconsin university system. This includes eleven undergraduate universities and two doctoral research institutions. The school has one of the largest research expenditures of any university. It prides itself on its hundreds of prestigious programs and accomplished alumni.
The university hosts an excellent Bachelor of Business Administration program with an emphasis in accounting. Some notable courses that you will take are:
- Accounting Systems
- Fundamentals of Taxation
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Business Organizations and Negotiable Instruments
- Cost Management Systems
You will also take:
- accounting-related electives
- core business classes
- about a dozen general education courses
As one of the best accounting schools, The University of Wisconsin is a demanding school with competitive admissions. Prospective students should have:
- A high GPA
- Excellent letters of recommendation
- High standardized test scores,
- A clear commitment to pursuing a future in accounting
The University of Wisconsin has a flexible transfer policy: It only requires students to take 30 or more credits through the university.
11
University of Utah
The University of Utah is the oldest university in the state. It has a founding date of 1892, four years before Utah gained statehood. The school has many exceptional schools including:
- a highly ranked medical school
- law school
- business school
Alumni from the university include:
- Nobel Prize winners
- Turing Award winners
- Rhodes Scholars
- MacArthur Fellows
The University of Utah offers an excellent bachelor’s in accounting that rivals most programs in the region. Some courses you can expect to take are:
- Accounting Analytics
- Managerial Accounting
- Accounting Regulations and Business Ethics
- International Accounting
These courses prepare you for careers in the many sectors within accounting. Students must have a 3.3 GPA to gain admission to the major. Accounting degree graduates have matriculated to prestigious careers with:
- the State of Utah
- Deloitte
- Strata
- KPMG
- EideBailly
- Grant Thornton
Students in this program have access to career coaches, who have invaluable advice and countless connections in the field.
12
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is one of the best colleges for accounting. The school is also one of the most flexible, accessible, and affordable universities on this list. Whether you slacked in university or you don’t want to go into excessive debt, or you just want to go to a fantastic school in nature, Northern Arizona University will suit you well.
Northern Arizona University offers an excellent Bachelor of Science in accountancy program through its W.A. Franke College of Business. Some classes that you may take in this program take are:
- Production and Operations Management
- Introduction to Computer Information Systems
- Strategic Management, and Principles of Finance
Students can complete an additional 30 units to gain a master’s in accounting and have the qualifications to sit for the CPA exam. Otherwise, you can graduate after the 120-credit program and begin your finance, industry, or governance career.
13
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota is the sixth largest university in the United States by student enrollment, which is over 51,000. The school focuses on:
- research
- advancement in its 19 schools
- its alumni relations
The school is also home to the prestigious Carlson School of Management, which offers one of the nation’s best degrees in accounting.
Students in the University of Minnesota’s accounting program can join student organizations:
- Student Accounting and Finance Association
- Volunteer Tax Assistance Program
- Carlson School Accounting Club
- U-Finance
The school also offers students access to dozens of internship and career opportunities prior to and after graduation. If you’re enrolled at the University of Minnesota, you’re equipped for a successful college and professional career.
Some notable courses that you may here take are:
- Intermediate Accounting
- Auditing Principles and Procedures
- Financial Data Analytics
- Internal Auditing
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Current Topics in Accounting
14
University of Illinois at Chicago
It’s important to go to a good accounting school. But it’s equally important to become accustomed to a business environment. And there are hardly any better places to do that than in Chicago. From being the third biggest city in the United States to its location as the headquarters for hundreds of companies, Chicago is an excellent city to build confidence, connections, and a future.
The University of Illinois at Chicago is one of the top accounting schools in the U.S. It offers a fantastic Bachelor of Science in accounting program. Some courses you may take from this best accounting program take are:
- Cost Accounting
- Auditing
- Ethical Environment of Business
- Enterprise Accounting Systems
- Federal Income Tax
- International Accounting
The University of Illinois at Chicago is an absolute steal with affordability and ease of admission. Students:
- intern with the biggest companies in the world
- breathe the same air as the nation’s most successful business people
- graduate from one of the best accounting programs in the country
15
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. It is one of the finest public universities in the South. The school has graduated many notable alumni including:
- U.S. governors
- CEOs
- Pulitzer Prize winners
- MacArthur fellows
- Thousands of successful accountants
The University of Georgia hosts the prestigious J.M Tull School of Accounting,. It offers an excellent Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting program.
Some notable courses in this program are:
- Survey of Accounting
- Principles of Accounting
- Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Research
- International Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
As an accounting major, you will couple these courses with classes in:
- business administration
- economics
- general education requirements
The principal topics that accounting degree students in this program cover are:
- Accounting standards
- Taxation
- Financial statement preparation
- Product cost
- Auditing
Graduates from this undergraduate accounting degree program have gone on to become:
- tax consultants
- staff accountants
- budget analysts
- auditors
- CEOs
Whatever you want to be, trust that the University of Georgia’s accounting program will take you there.
16
University of California-Berkeley
The University of California-Berkeley is perhaps the most prestigious university on this list. UC Berkeley is associated with:
- 107 Nobel Laureates
- 25 billionaires
- 14 Fields Medalists
- countless CEOs
The University of California-Berkeley is home to the Haas School of Business, which is as competitive as it is prestigious. The Haas School of Business offers one of the best accounting programs in the country through the Bachelor of Science in business administration.
Some courses that you will take in this program take are:
- Macroeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions
- Managerial Accounting
- Introduction to Business Analytics
- Introduction to Finance
You will also take:
- introductory economics and business courses
- general education requirements
- research-focused classes
We won’t lie: The University of California-Berkeley is very selective. Not many people get in. Those who do usually have:
- exceptional grades
- test scores
- writing skills
- math skills
- admissions essays
- letters of recommendation
17
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is one of the best universities for accounting. It’s a Public Ivy, meaning that the school has the rigor, competitiveness, and prestige similar to the schools in the Ivy League. The school houses notable features like:
- W.J. Beal Botanical Garden
- Abrams Planetarium
- Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
The school is also home to the fantastic Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting.
Some notable courses in this accounting degree program are:
- Preparing for an Accounting Career
- Federal Income Tax Accounting
- Accounting for Management Decision Making
- Auditing
You will also take:
- math courses
- general education classes
- extensive time learning from the business core
Requirements for Michigan State University include:
- high school transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores
- letters of recommendation
- admissions essays
- application fee
Michigan State University is relatively competitive: If you have a 3.5 or higher GPA, you’ll have a good chance of gaining admittance.
18
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a fantastic school. It’s so good that its list of professors includes Noam Chomsky, one of the most widely respected and cited public intellectuals, ever. The school is also known for:
- its active campus
- competitive sports teams
- prestigious programs
- an excellent Bachelor of Science in business administration program with a major in accounting
Through this best accounting degree program, expect to take courses like:
- Statistical Inference in Management
- Analytical Methods for Business
- Introduction to Managerial Accounting
- Fundamentals of Business Communication
Of course, you will also take:
- general education
- ethics
- math courses to supplement your major
Students in this accounting degree program have access to Nancy Meech. She is a career coach who only works with accounting students. Nancy and the rest of the accounting department will be invaluable resources throughout your stay at the University of Arizona and after graduating. Graduates in this bachelor’s degree program have become:
- certified public accountants
- CFOs
- tax accountants
- fraud examiners
19
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas has come a long way since its inception as a teaching institute in 1890. Today, the University of North Texas:
- Has 40,000 students
- Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs
- R1 Carnegie Classification for having very high research activity
- Competitive sports teams
- Excellent school organizations
- One of the best accounting programs in the U.S.!
The University of North Texas offers several accounting programs:
- A dual Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in accounting
- A Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting
- A Master of Science in accounting with a focus on audit and assurance
- A Master of Science in accounting with a focus on corporate accounting
The G. Brint Ryan College of Business also offers the related Master of Science in taxation.
Clearly, you have options here! Some accounting courses you can expect to take are:
- Basic Information Systems
- Profession Development
- Organizational Behavior
- Business Policy
- Data Analysis with Spreadsheets
20
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan enjoys the prestige of being one of the best public universities worldwide. But when we’re talking about prestige, the Ross School of Business could confidently stand alone. It holds a candle to the best business schools around the world, By all measures it is one of the best business schools in the world.
One unique aspect of the Ross School of Business is its willingness to allow students to double major, no matter whether that second major lies outside of the school. Thirty-six percent of Ross undergraduates have a dual degree or minor. Most of them seek to make a social impact during or after graduating. Students in this program couple business administration and accounting courses with classes in:
- math
- economics
- general education requirements
The Ross School of Business is notoriously competitive. You must have excellent grades, test scores, and a lot of experience to stand a chance against other applicants. But if you do get in, know that this school will unlock doors for the rest of your life.
21
Florida State University
Florida State University is an excellent learning institution. The U.S. News and World Report ranked FSU as the 18th best public university in the nation. Some notable facts about Florida State University:
- It’s where the anti-cancer drug, Taxol, was made.
- It’s also home to the only national laboratory in Florida.
- It’s home to one of the best undergraduate programs in the country.
Some notable courses in this BS in accounting are:
- Basic Marketing Concepts
- Organizational Behavior
- Microcomputer Applications for Business
- Financial Management of the Firm
- Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions
As an accounting major, you must maintain a 2.9 GPA to remain in good standing in the program.
Students can enroll in the Master of Accounting program. To join the program, you should have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a 550 or higher GMAT score. You can enroll in the dual BS and MAcc program as long as you maintain a 3.2 upper-division GPA and a 3.4 overall GPA.
22
Binghamton University
The State University of New York at Binghamton is more widely known as SUNY Binghamton or Binghamton University. It is an R1 research university with just under 20,000 students. The city of Binghamton is a gorgeous mid-sized city in close proximity to nature and not too far from larger metropolitan areas. Binghamton University is home to the School of Management, one of the best schools for accounting in the U.S.
Students in this prestigious program take such classes as:
- Statistics for Management
- Legal Environment of Management
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Integral Calculus
- Computer Tools for Management
This program balances the courses you’ll need to be a good accountant with the classes that your future can’t do without.
Accounting graduates from this program work for hundreds of prestigious corporations. Some of them are:
- Deloitte Goldman Sachs
- American Express
- Morgan Stanley
- PwC
SUNY Binghamton is the #1 provider of new hires for PwC and EY. This is promising for graduating students interested in a career in corporate accounting. As long as you do well at Binghamton University, your future will be secure.
23
University of South Florida-Main Campus
With over 50,000 students, it’s surprising that the University of South Florida is only the fourth-largest school in Florida. But the size is large enough for the school to house over 180 undergraduate and graduate programs that compete with some of the best schools nationwide. The university is particularly known for educating inventors. Inventors at the University of South Florida have been granted more patents than all but nine other universities worldwide.
The University of South Florida includes an excellent Bachelor of Science in accounting program. Some courses you will take:
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Computers in Business
- Managerial Accounting
- Elementary Calculus
- Accounting Information Systems
- Federal Taxation
These courses educate students on accounting skills and the information that accountants can’t go without.
You must maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA in each accounting major course and a 2.0 or higher overall GPA to remain in good standing.
24
San Diego State University
An international port city.
A gorgeous campus
Academics that compete with the best universities in the world
What more can you ask for?
San Diego State University is an excellent school by every metric. Among its hundreds of fantastic programs is the school’s top-notch Bachelor of Science in accountancy program.
Students in this program divide their time between:
- general education classes
- a business core
- the accounting major
Some notable courses are:
- Cost Management
- Taxation of Business Entities
- Statistical Analysis for Business
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Ethical Decision Making in Business
San Diego State University doesn’t win on every metric in our methodology, but the balance of its curriculum can hardly be beat.
San Diego State University is a selective school. To have a good chance of admission, have a 3.0 or higher GPA, reasonably high standardized test scores, and a clear commitment to accounting.
25
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a mid-sized public research university on a large, 1,000 acre campus. The school is growing quicker than any other in the UNC system. It has increased enrollment by 33% since 2010. More students means:
- better programs
- more programs
- more opportunities for students
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers an excellent Bachelor of Science in accounting program. This unique program emphasizes business courses more than accounting classes: There are 24 credit hours of business courses, but only 18 credit hours in accounting classes. Some notable accounting major courses you will take are:
- Financial Management
- Intermediate Financial Accounting
- Income Tax
- Introduction to Auditing
- Business Law
UNC Charlotte students can use one internship toward academic credit. Eligible students—a 3.5 or higher GPA and continued commitment to honors meeting—can also be part of the honors program.
26
SUNY at Albany
Students at the State University of New York at Albany can take advantage of many opportunities:
- The active campus life
- Numerous businesses and government buildings around the city
- Research-focused programs
SUNY Albany offers one of the best accounting programs in the country. Its standing magnified by its proximity to the Big Four accounting firms.
Some accounting major courses that students at SUNY Albany take are:
- Behavioral Foundations of Management
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Marketing Principles
- Law of Business Organization
- Cost Accounting Systems for Managerial Decisions
Accounting major students also take three courses that focus on business information technology.
The State University of New York at Albany offers the convenient Master’s Program Pathway. This allows students to gain a master’s degree after finishing an additional 30 credits beyond the 120-credit bachelor’s. Some fields that accounting graduates now work in are:
- Cost analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Fraud investigation
- Auditing
- Corporate accounting
- Tax preparation
27
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is the fourth-largest school in the state and the biggest in North Texas, with over 40,000 students and 2,000 faculty members. The school has high research activity in:
- material science
- biochemistry
- biology
- engineering
- geoscience
The University of Texas at Arlington offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.
You can also opt for the BBA in accounting and information systems or BBA in accounting and finance. Either way, you will take accounting courses like:
- Managing Organizational Behavior
- Cost Accounting
- Intermediate Statistics for Business Analytics
- Introduction to Accounting Information Systems
Students in the accounting major usually opt for one of three pathways in the program:
- the information systems track
- finance industry track
- sales and marketing track
If you have an exceptional GPA, you can enroll in the Fast Track Program, which allows you to begin a master’s degree without finishing your undergraduate studies.
28
Weber State University
Weber State University is a mid-sized university in Ogden, Utah. Ogden is a gorgeous city 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, close to the mountains, city, and the world-famous nature in Utah. Weber State University is also home to the John B. Goddard School of Business and Economics, one of our top accounting colleges.
Weber’s Bachelor of Science in accounting includes classes like:
- Intermediate Financial Accounting I
- Accounting for Global and Corporate Entities
- Accounting and Information Systems
- Cost Accounting
- Taxation of Business Entities
Another perk at Weber is that you can complete your schooling full-time during the day or part-time at night or during the evenings.
Students can enroll in the Master of Accounting or Master of Taxation upon graduating. Otherwise, you can find a job as an accountant with just your bachelor’s degree, which is viable. A master’s does give you a significant advantage, though. It provides you with additional knowledge and, of equal importance, additional credentials.
29
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is a mid-sized university in Newark, Delaware. The school has a very high level of research activity. It is known as a space-grant, land-grant, and sea-grant university. Notably, the University of Delaware was also the first university in the United States to offer a study abroad program.
The University of Delaware offers a fantastic Bachelor of Science in accounting program. As an accounting major, you can join organizations such as:
- The Accounting Students Association
- Blue Hen Investment Club
- Lerner College Trading Center
These opportunities allow you to network and advance your accounting skills. You can also obtain an honors in accounting as long as you maintain a 3.4 GPA, earn 30 credits in honors courses, and submit an honors degree declaration form.
Some classes that bachelor’s degree students take are:
- Basics of Business
- Business Computing
- Banking and Monetary Policy
- Principles of Finance
- Business Information Systems
- Advanced Federal Taxation
Accounting graduates from the University of Delaware now work at such prestigious firms as:
- KPMG
- EY
- PwC
- Deloitte
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
30
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Very few universities in the United States boast as much history as the University of Virginia. The school was founded by Thomas Jefferson, and its first Board of Visitors included James Monroe and James Madison. Today, the University of Virginia is recognized as one of the best public universities in the world. Its graduates include:
- Woodrow Wilson
- Robert Mueller
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Georgia O’Keefe
And trust us—the list goes on.
The University of Virginia offers a Bachelor of Science in commerce with a concentration in accounting. Some courses in this accounting program are:
- Introductory Auditing
- Strategic Cost Management
- Global Commerce Immersion
- Topics in Accounting
- Federal Taxation
Accounting bachelor’s degree graduates from the University of Virginia won’t have a tough time joining the highest-paying and most prestigious accounting firms in the country. Nor will they have a challenging time finding a school—whether that’s UVA or elsewhere—to complete the requirements to sit for the CPA exam.
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University of Kentucky
Among the best colleges for accounting is the University of Kentucky. And its location in Lexington only bolsters its reputation. Lincoln is a gorgeous, fascinating, and educated city. So educated that it ranks 10th in the list of United States cities with the highest college education rate. So if you want to become steeped in academics, sports, and horseracing (or not), there’s no better school than the University of Kentucky.
The University of Kentucky offers a fantastic Bachelor of Science in accounting degree. It also offers a BSBA/MSACC Professional Degree Program. This is perhaps the best part of the University of Kentucky’s program.
The dual BSBA and MSACC program lasts four years—the same time it takes to obtain a bachelor’s degree. But instead of one degree, the professional degree program grants accounting graduates a:
- bachelor’s
- master’s
- CPA exam eligibility
- an internship
To join the competitive BSBA/MSACC Professional Degree Program, students must have a 3.6 or higher high school GPA, a 26 or higher ACT score, and at least six AP credits. Students must maintain a 3.4 or higher GPA to remain in the BSBA/MSACC Professional Degree Program.
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a mid-sized school. It has with nearly 200 academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
The campus is also home to the Weatherspoon Art Museum. It is one of the foremost modern art museums in the United States. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is also home to the Bachelor of Science in accounting program.
In this program, you will take:
- eleven general education courses
- ten to eleven pre-admission courses
- fifteen business core classes
- ten accounting courses
Some notable classes in this program are:
- Blueprint for Personal and Professional Development
- Business Computing, Information Systems in Organizations
- Cost Accounting
- Calculus with Business Applications
You must complete 120 credit hours to obtain the Bachelor of Science in accounting degree. In this program, you will have access to promising networking events for prospective accountants, including Company Spotlights and Meet the Firms.
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Brigham Young University-Provo
Brigham Young University is a large private university located in Provo, Utah. The school is associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church.
BYU is a strict school. Students are expected to abstain from:
- drugs
- caffeine
- tobacco
- extramarital sex
If you can abide by these rules, BYU would be an excellent place to call home for four years.
BYU offers an outstanding Bachelor of Science in accounting program. Some notable courses that students in this program take are:
- Data Analytics
- Fundamentals of Taxation
- Accounting Information Systems
- Intermediate Managerial Accounting
- BYU students also take several religious courses
Bachelor’s degree students enrolled in the accounting program are expected to join one of the many accounting student organizations affiliated with BYU. Students must also secure an internship between their junior and senior year that provides them a chance to work with accountants and practice the profession.
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California State University-Northridge
California State University Northridge has the second largest student body of any university in the massive California State University system. Cal State-Northridge has one of the best accounting schools in the U.S, along with one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. You won’t want to miss Cal State-Northridge’s Bachelor of Science in professional accountancy program.
Some notable courses that accountancy students take are:
- Intercultural Communication
- Intermediate Financial Accounting
- Applied Jewish Ethics
- Senior Seminar in Accounting
- Communication for Accountants
You can also seek a double major in another business-related field, including:
- finance
- information systems
- management
- marketing
- business administration
California State University Northridge has a relatively flexible transfer program: Students can transfer up to 50% of the required graduation credits—60 credits—from a two or four-year university. Students must have a C or higher grade in each course they’re willing to transfer; otherwise the credit won’t be accepted.
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Towson University
Towson University is an outstanding mid-sized university in Towson, Maryland. Towson University consistently ranks as one of the 100 best universities in the United States.
Towson University is a relatively selective school. It accepts 57% of its applicants. The average GPA of admitted students hovers around 3.4, while the average ACT scores are between 21-24.
Towson University has a well-equipped accounting department. The department offers an accounting major. It also offers a dual accelerated Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in accounting. This program is a better option than the standalone major because it will prepare you for the CPA exam, which is a requirement for positions at many accounting firms.
Some notable courses in the dual program are:
- Taxation of Entities
- Advanced Topics in Accounting Systems
- Sustainability Accounting
- Advanced Topics in Assurance Systems
These courses address the foundations and the latest trends in accountancy, preparing accounting graduates for any position they wish to have.
If you’re interested in pursuing higher education, then you should check out The 20 Best Online Masters In Accounting Degree Programs and The Top 15 Masters in International Business Degree Programs!
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