by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Essex County College, our #1 best value for accounting in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $29,026. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $28,818 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Sussex County Community College one of the best values for accounting. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #5 place for accounting. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $56,917. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
New Jersey City University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $22,378. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $52,920. Set against $22,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Peters College came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,500. Accounting graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $40,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #8 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Kean University earn a median of $46,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,999 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,000. Accounting graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $60,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #10 for value in accounting this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $45,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #11 spot for accounting value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $22,770 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $72,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,770 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $22,770. Early-career accounting graduates make about $72,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #13 for value in accounting this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $68,687. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,489 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for value in accounting this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $22,770. Accounting graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $72,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Caldwell College placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,188. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #18 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $60,774. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rider University landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Students borrow a median of $25,536 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $70,750. That is a strong return on a $25,536 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey placed #20 among the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $74,403. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Seton Hall University landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $75,093. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
