by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Accounting covers Accounting. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Practice The Profession Of Accounting And To Perform Related Business Functions. Includes Instruction In Accounting Principles And Theory, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Budget Control, Tax Accounting, Legal Aspects Of Accounting, Auditing, Reporting Procedures, Statement Analysis, Planning And Consulting, Business Information Systems, Accounting Research Methods, Professional Standards And Ethics, And Applications To Specific For-Profit, Public, And Non-Profit Organizations. Read on to learn the important information every accounting major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering accounting programs.
Across the country, accounting is a popular field of study, with 58,956 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Accounting Schools ranking analyzes these 1,356 schools to determine the best overall colleges for accounting students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of accounting programs later in this article.
Programs in Accounting emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations accounting graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a accounting program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a accounting major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several accounting degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 791 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,917 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 39,207 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 14,951 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 43 |
People currently working in careers related to accounting tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.3% |
| Some college courses | 8.5% |
| Master’s degree | 6.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| First professional degree | 2.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in accounting careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in accounting opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to accounting.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to accounting.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | 554,994 | -0.7% |
| Budget Analysts | 509,913 | -2.6% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 388,087 | 3.0% |
| Credit Analysts | 274,988 | -3.7% |
| Tax Preparers | 206,607 | 9.5% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of accounting graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,191 |
| 4 years | $61,213 |
| 5 years | $69,643 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for accounting graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers accounting grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Financial Examiners | $117,139 |
| Budget Analysts | $80,859 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,222 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $77,212 |
| Tax Preparers | $67,542 |
With 1,356 different accounting programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased accounting school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in accounting, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 17,375 |
| Accounting and Finance | 3,502 |
| Accounting and Business/Management | 1,270 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 554 |
| Auditing | 178 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
