by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mid South Community College earned the #1 spot for value among accounting schools in Arkansas. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Arkansas Community College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,386. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned it the #3 place for accounting. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Arkansas State University Main Campus one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,351 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,152 early in their careers. Set against $21,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,848. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $58,845. That is a strong return on a $25,316 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Grantham University earned the #8 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of LIttle Rock, Grantham University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $46,108 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Grantham University earn a median of $48,931 early in their careers. Set against $46,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #9 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $57,484. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Henderson State University came in at #10 for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Henderson State University earn a median of $40,131 early in their careers. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas came in at #11 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,914. Accounting graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $61,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Harding University earned the #12 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $58,649. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Ouachita Baptist University placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,500. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,520. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $35,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.