by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 101 U.S. colleges awarded 1,488 degrees and certificates in Accounting and Business/Management. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 37 schools in its 2027 Best Accounting and Business/Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,771 one year after completing, rising to $76,172 after four years.
Studying Accounting and Business/Management covers Accounting And Business/management. An Integrated Or Combined Program In Accounting And Business Administration/management That Prepares Individuals To Function As Accountants And Business Managers.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., accounting and business/management is a widely-pursued major, with 1,488 degrees awarded annually. 101 colleges award accounting and business/management degrees, an average of 15 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 217.
By level, the 1,488 awards include 10 certificates, 356 associate degrees, 501 bachelor’s degrees and 574 master’s degrees.
Women earned 62% of accounting and business/management degrees and certificates in the latest year (921 of 1,488). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (635) and Hispanic or Latino (314), and international students earned 63.
College Factual ranks 37 schools in its 2027 Best Accounting and Business/Management Schools ranking, including 20 for associate degrees, 21 for bachelor’s degrees and 11 for master’s degrees. It also ranks accounting and business/management schools within 19 states. In all, 101 colleges offer accounting and business/management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Accounting and Business/Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common accounting and business/management credential is the master’s degree: 574 of the 1,488 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to accounting and business/management call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Economics and Accounting and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an accounting and business/management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 356 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 501 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 574 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to accounting and business/management, at 38.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.8% |
| Master’s degree | 19.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.1% |
| Some college courses | 9.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.2% |
| First professional degree | 5.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Accounting and Business/Management, with an average median salary of $110,502; the strongest outlook belongs to Investment Fund Managers, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Securities Research Analyst, Securities Analyst, Corporate Securities Research Analyst and Securities Consultant.
The occupation related to accounting and business/management with the most projected jobs is Appraisers of Personal and Business Property, at 814,640.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 388,087 | 3.0% |
| Treasurers and Controllers | 229,662 | 0.6% |
| Investment Fund Managers | 185,925 | 14.1% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Financial Managers | 145,690 | 9.0% |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | 76,931 | 6.8% |
Accounting and Business/Management graduates earn a median $57,771 one year after completing their program, $76,172 after four years and $71,293 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,771 |
| 4 years | $76,172 |
| 5 years | $71,293 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to accounting and business/management is Treasurers and Controllers, with a median salary of $162,461.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,222 |
| Financial Managers | $75,665 |
Accounting and Business/Management has 5 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 85,305 degrees a year; the largest are Accounting (62,166), Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping (18,457) and Accounting and Finance (3,827). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 62,166 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 18,457 |
| Accounting and Finance | 3,827 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 646 |
| Auditing | 209 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
