by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Alabama the best value for a degree in accounting in Alabama. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,125. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,022. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at University Of West Alabama, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $31,894. Accounting graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,528. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $55,240. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $40,541 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Troy University one of the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $54,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of South Alabama landed the #6 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,000. Accounting graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $48,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $34,288. Early-career accounting graduates make about $56,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Montevallo ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,096. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $36,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Montevallo admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Alabama State University landed the #10 spot for accounting value this year. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,248, with out-of-state students paying around $19,576. Accounting graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,549. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $53,452. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Mobile came in at #12 for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Mobile, University Of Mobile is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,910. Students borrow a median of $30,127 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Mobile earn a median of $50,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,127 median debt. University Of Mobile admits about 78% of applicants.
Auburn University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $65,059. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Samford University earned the #14 position for value in accounting this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Samford University earn a median of $63,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.