by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 134 U.S. colleges awarded 3,827 degrees and certificates in Accounting and Finance. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 59% of graduates. College Factual ranks 60 schools in its 2027 Best Accounting and Finance 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.
A degree in Accounting and Finance covers Accounting And Finance. An Integrated Or Combined Program In Accounting And Finance That Prepares Individuals To Function As Accountants And Financial Managers Or Analysts.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, accounting and finance is a widely-pursued major, with 3,827 degrees awarded annually. 134 colleges award accounting and finance degrees, an average of 29 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 634.
By level, the 3,827 awards include 192 certificates, 503 associate degrees, 874 bachelor’s degrees and 2,258 master’s degrees.
Women earned 62% of accounting and finance degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,378 of 3,827). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,002) and Hispanic or Latino (592), and international students earned 144.
College Factual ranks 60 schools in its 2027 Best Accounting and Finance Schools ranking, including 22 for associate degrees, 24 for bachelor’s degrees and 16 for master’s degrees. It also ranks accounting and finance schools within 12 states. In all, 134 colleges offer accounting and finance programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Accounting and Finance Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common accounting and finance credential is the master’s degree: 2,258 of the 3,827 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to accounting and finance 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 finance degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 192 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 503 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 874 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,258 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to accounting and finance, at 49.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 49.1% |
| Master’s degree | 16.0% |
| Some college courses | 7.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.3% |
| First professional degree | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Accounting and Finance, with an average median salary of $107,208; the strongest outlook belongs to Investment Fund Managers, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Cost Accountant, Equity Research Analyst, Bond Analyst and Corporate Securities Research Analyst.
The occupation related to accounting and finance 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% |
| Budget Analysts | 509,913 | -2.6% |
| 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% |
Accounting and Finance 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 finance 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 |
| Budget Analysts | $80,859 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,222 |
Accounting and Finance has 5 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 82,966 degrees a year; the largest are Accounting (62,166), Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping (18,457) and Accounting and Business/Management (1,488). 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 Business/Management | 1,488 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 646 |
| Auditing | 209 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
