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Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

339 Colleges
$48,417 Avg Salary
$25,672 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Accounting School for You

With 99,265 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, accounting is the #8 most popular major in the United States.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 339 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Accounting program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for accounting majors pursuing a .

#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Our analysis found Ivy Tech Community College to be the most popular school for accounting students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, accounting graduates from Ivy Tech Community College carry an average student debt load of $13,048.

Full Accounting at Ivy Tech Community College Report

#2

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Purdue University Global is a great place for accounting students. Purdue University Global is a fairly large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.

Accounting majors at Purdue University Global take out an average of $42,095 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Accounting at Purdue University Global

The excellent programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best accounting schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, accounting graduates from UIUC take out $18,854 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $318.

Full Accounting at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

The excellent programs at Ohio State University - Main Campus helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best accounting schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that accounting majors at Ohio State take out is $22,882. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $225, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Accounting at Ohio State University - Main Campus

Out of the 339 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, DeVry University - Illinois landed the # 5 spot on the list. DeVry University - Illinois is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Chicago.

The average amount in student loans that accounting majors at DeVry University - Illinois take out is $44,354.

Read full report on Accounting at DeVry University - Illinois

#6

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

DePaul University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for accounting students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Accounting majors at DePaul take out an average of $24,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $390, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for accounting students. It came in at #7 on the list. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the midsize suburb of Normal.

On average, accounting graduates from Illinois State take out $21,500 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $303.

Read full report on Accounting at Illinois State University

With a ranking of #8, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for accounting students. UC is a very large public school located in the large city of Cincinnati.

Accounting majors at UC take out an average of $24,907 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $343.

Read full report on Accounting at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for accounting students. Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Accounting majors at UW - Madison take out an average of $19,250 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

With a ranking of #10, Michigan State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for accounting students. Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the city of East Lansing.

On average, accounting graduates from Michigan State take out $23,250 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $454.

Read full report on Accounting at Michigan State University

Miami University - Oxford came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, accounting majors at Miami University - Oxford accumulate an average of around $24,250 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $336.

Read More…

Grand Valley State University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that accounting majors at GVSU take out is $24,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $221.

Read full report on Accounting at Grand Valley State University

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular accounting programs. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

On average, accounting graduates from IWU take out $31,829 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular accounting programs. Eastern Gateway Community College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Steubenville.

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University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular accounting programs. UIC is a very large public school located in the large city of Chicago.

After completing their degree, accounting graduates from UIC carry an average student debt load of $18,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $240.

Full Accounting at University of Illinois at Chicago Report

William Rainey Harper College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public school with a large student population.

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#17

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

With a ranking of #17, Western Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for accounting students. WMU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo.

On average, accounting graduates from WMU take out $26,957 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $365, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Accounting at Western Michigan University

#18

Franklin University

Columbus, OH

With a ranking of #18, Franklin University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for accounting students. Franklin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus.

After completing their degree, accounting graduates from Franklin University carry an average student debt load of $32,417.

Full Accounting at Franklin University Report

#19

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI

Davenport University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular accounting programs. Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Grand Rapids.

While working on their degree, accounting majors at Davenport University accumulate an average of around $26,525 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $200.

Read full report on Accounting at Davenport University

Kent State University at Kent came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent.

Accounting majors at Kent State take out an average of $23,575 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $364, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Northern Illinois University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the small suburb of Dekalb.

After completing their degree, accounting graduates from NIU carry an average student debt load of $19,379. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $177.

Read full report on Accounting at Northern Illinois University

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for accounting students. It came in at #22 on the list. BGSU is a large public school located in the fringe town of Bowling Green.

While working on their degree, accounting majors at BGSU accumulate an average of around $25,848 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $325.

Read full report on Accounting at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Whitewater is a large public school located in the distant town of Whitewater.

After completing their degree, accounting graduates from UW - Whitewater carry an average student debt load of $24,939.

Full Accounting at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Report

Fox Valley Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular accounting programs. Located in the suburb of Appleton, FVTC is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that accounting majors at FVTC take out is $15,250.

Read full report on Accounting at Fox Valley Technical College

With a ranking of #25, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for accounting students. SIUC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Carbondale.

Accounting majors at SIUC take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $161.

Read More…

#29

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH
#30

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN
#32

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN
#32

Walsh College

Troy, MI
#34

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH
#37

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI
#39

Northwood University

Midland, MI
#40

Lakeland University

Plymouth, WI
#42

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, WI
#43

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI
#45

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI
#47

Ball State University

Muncie, IN
#47

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
51 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
52 Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH
52 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
54 Oakland Community College Bloomfield Hills, MI
55 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
56 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
57 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
58 College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL
59 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
60 Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI
60 Bradley University Peoria, IL
60 Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN
60 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
60 Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OH
65 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
66 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
67 Butler University Indianapolis, IN
67 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
67 Stark State College North Canton, OH

Best Accounting Colleges by State

Explore the best accounting schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 2,435
Ohio 3,278
Illinois 3,151
Indiana 1,707
Wisconsin 1,606

One of 21 majors within the area of study, accounting has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 416,590
Finance & Financial Management 57,778
General Business/Commerce 56,042
Marketing 52,916
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 43,382

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Pixabay.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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