2026 Best Accounting Schools
Looking for the best Accounting programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 2085 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Accounting Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
University Of Notre Dame tops our 2026 ranking of the best Accounting programs schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More on University Of Notre Dame
The strong Accounting programs at Bucknell University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,881 in student loans. More on Bucknell University
You'll be in good company at Lehigh University, which ranked #3 this year. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Lehigh University Accounting students take on a median of $23,179 in debt. See the full Lehigh University profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Georgetown University Accounting students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. More on Georgetown University
Emory University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical Accounting student debt is $19,431. More on Emory University
Washington And Lee University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington And Lee University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,045. Washington And Lee University Accounting students take on a median of $16,750 in debt. Read the full report on Washington And Lee University
Santa Clara University placed #9 among Accounting schools in the United States. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. The median Accounting program debt is $17,188. Read more about Santa Clara University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among Accounting schools in the United States. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Accounting program here. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
College Of The Holy Cross placed #12 among Accounting schools in the United States. Based in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. The median Accounting program debt is $27,000. See the full College Of The Holy Cross profile
Washington University In St Louis landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Typical Accounting student debt is $17,553. More on Washington University In St Louis
Villanova University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. The median Accounting program debt is $25,858. Read more about Villanova University
New York University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full New York University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Accounting program debt is $19,462. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Richmond landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Students borrow a median of $20,757 to complete their Accounting program here. Get the full University Of Richmond report
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bloomington, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,704. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Accounting program here. Read the full report on Illinois Wesleyan University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #22 among Accounting schools in the United States. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Benedict posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,756. Graduates carry a median of $26,925 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of Saint Benedict
Indiana University Bloomington placed #24 among Accounting schools in the United States. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. The median Accounting program debt is $20,542. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Texas Christian University Accounting students take on a median of $17,778 in debt. Get the full Texas Christian University report
Saint Johns University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Collegeville, MN, Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Johns University graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. The median Accounting program debt is $27,000. More on Saint Johns University
Wake Forest University placed #27 among Accounting schools in the United States. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. The median Accounting program debt is $21,577. Read more about Wake Forest University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #28 among Accounting schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Accounting students take on a median of $21,294 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Rest of the Top 50 Best Accounting Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Madison Area Technical College Accounting students take on a median of $20,252 in debt. More on Madison Area Technical College
Boston College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about Boston College
The College Of New Jersey came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
University Of Mary did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,356. Typical Accounting student debt is $26,983. Read more about University Of Mary
North Shore Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. North Shore Community College is a public school based in Danvers, MA. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. North Shore Community College Accounting students take on a median of $14,145 in debt. See the full North Shore Community College profile
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $17,641 in student loans. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Michigan State University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Accounting program here. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Scranton, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. The median Accounting program debt is $27,000. More on University Of Scranton
University Of Delaware ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. This public school is set in Newark, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,177 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Marquette University did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about Marquette University
Saint Marys College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. Saint Marys College graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,230. Typical Accounting student debt is $27,000. More on Saint Marys College
James Madison University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete their Accounting program here. More on James Madison University
Bentley University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waltham, MA. Bentley University graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,000 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Bentley University report
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median Accounting program debt is $15,000. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Fairfield University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,633 to complete their Accounting program here. Read the full report on Fairfield University
Drake University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Drake University Accounting students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read the full report on Drake University
Rutgers University Newark placed #46 among Accounting schools in the United States. Based in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Rutgers University Newark posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Rutgers University Newark Accounting students take on a median of $22,770 in debt. Get the full Rutgers University Newark report
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #47 among Accounting schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Dakota County Technical College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Dakota County Technical College is a public school based in Rosemount, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete their Accounting program here. More on Dakota County Technical College
Elon University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Based in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. More on Elon University
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full University Of Georgia profile
University Of California Davis came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical Accounting student debt is $14,404. See the full University Of California Davis profile
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #52 position. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Accounting students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #53 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 79% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full Loyola Marymount University profile
Syracuse University came in at #54 in this year's ranking. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Syracuse University
Best Accounting Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Accounting Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 2085 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).