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2026 Best Accounting Schools in the Southeast Region

172 Colleges in the United States
12,134 Accounting Degrees Awarded
$52,741 Avg Early-Career Salary

Accounting is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their accounting programs.

College Factual analyzed 341 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best accounting schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Accounting in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall accounting education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Accounting

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for accounting. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 29 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $73,793. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 39 accounting degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $70,335 in their early career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Get the full accounting details for Wake Forest University

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 accounting degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,802. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Read more about the accounting program at Vanderbilt University

4

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 186 accounting degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $69,472. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full accounting program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $71,508 early in their careers. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $20,757 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at University Of Richmond

6
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #6 for accounting this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 145 accounting degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $63,264 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at Florida State University

7
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 242 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $65,559. Typical student debt for the program is $18,003. See the full accounting program report for University Of Florida

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for accounting this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 145 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $61,303 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,946 in student loans. Get the full accounting details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

9
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #9 spot for accounting this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 125 accounting students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $71,468. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete this degree. See the full accounting program report for James Madison University

10

Elon University placed #10 among the best accounting schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. Elon University awarded about 53 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Elon University earn around $69,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the accounting program at Elon University

11

George Mason University landed the #11 spot for accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 123 accounting degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from George Mason University earn around $77,497 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at George Mason University

12
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #12 for accounting this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $72,392. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full accounting details for University Of Miami

13

University Of Georgia came in at #13 for accounting this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 288 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $64,996 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full accounting details for University Of Georgia

14
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #14 for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 246 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $65,059 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full accounting details for Auburn University

15

The University Of Tennessee earned the #15 position for accounting this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 212 accounting students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $61,638 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. See the full accounting program report for The University Of Tennessee

16
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University earned the #16 position for accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 246 accounting degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $63,415 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full accounting program report for Clemson University

17

The University Of Alabama came in at #17 for accounting this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 313 accounting degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $53,452 early in their careers. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full accounting program report for The University Of Alabama

18

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 162 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $62,423 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,826 in student loans. More information about a degree in accounting from University Of South Carolina Columbia

19

University Of Kentucky came in at #19 for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 179 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $62,463. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at University Of Kentucky

20

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 153 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $61,998 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $19,600 in student loans. More information about a degree in accounting from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

21

Florida International University landed the #21 spot for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 251 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $62,744 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,625. See the full accounting program report for Florida International University

22

University Of Central Florida landed the #22 spot for accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 243 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $61,436 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,736 to complete this degree. Get the full accounting details for University Of Central Florida

23
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #23 among the best accounting schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 accounting students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. Read more about the accounting program at High Point University

24

Appalachian State University placed #24 among the best accounting schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 129 accounting degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Appalachian State University earn around $60,055 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $23,262 in student loans. See the full accounting program report for Appalachian State University

25
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #25 for accounting this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 207 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $61,646 early in their careers. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $25,914 in student loans. Get the full accounting details for University Of Arkansas

Rest of the Top 50 Accounting Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong accounting education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Asbury University crest
Asbury University
Wilmore, KY
32
33
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
34
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
45
46
47
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
48
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
49
50

Additional Accounting Award Winners

These schools also stood out for accounting:

Rank School Location
#56 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
#63 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
#71 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
#82 University Of Alabama At Birmingham Birmingham, AL
#114 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for accounting:

View All Accounting Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 341 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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