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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for accounting in the Rocky Mountains Region. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,285. Early-career accounting graduates make about $56,800. That is a strong return on a $14,285 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #4 place for accounting. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,250. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $60,753. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver placed #6 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Latter Day Saints Business College placed #7 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,004 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Western Governors University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $22,489. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $64,819. That is a strong return on a $22,489 median debt.
Aims Community College placed #9 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,199. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,909. Set against $11,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #10 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $16,066. Accounting graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College landed the #11 spot for accounting value this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,448 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University came in at #13 for value in accounting this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $61,703. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $61,026. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Great Falls College Montana State University landed the #15 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,028, compared with $12,911 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,034 ten years after entry.
University Of Wyoming ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,950. Accounting graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,759 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $63,551. Set against $20,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Pueblo Community College landed the #18 spot for accounting value this year. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,106 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,377. That is a strong return on a $14,106 median debt.
Northeastern Junior College placed #19 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,730, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Students borrow a median of $13,156 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northeastern Junior College generally make around $38,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Idaho placed #20 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,000. Accounting graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $50,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #21 position for value in accounting this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $8,727 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $68,393 early in their careers. Set against $8,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Colorado State University Global Campus placed #22 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000. Students borrow a median of $34,167 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus earn a median of $67,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,320 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,852. Set against $26,320 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Helena College University Of Montana came in at #24 for value in accounting this year. Helena College University Of Montana is a small public school located in the city of Helena. In-state tuition and fees average $4,106, compared with $11,278 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,503. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Helena College University Of Montana generally make around $47,160. Set against $20,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,900. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $50,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.