[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/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 1199 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
The right accounting school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Accounting Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Accounting Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $64,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #3 place for accounting. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,514. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College placed #6 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $8,098. Accounting graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College placed #7 among the best values for accounting. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,514. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College earned the #8 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Joliet Junior College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #11 position for value in accounting this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #13 for value in accounting this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,070 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,620 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $42,862. That is a strong return on a $13,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,370. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $7,370 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #16 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $42,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Ventura College placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #18 for value in accounting this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,445. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $39,076. That is a strong return on a $18,445 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #20 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Lake Land College earned the #21 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,769. Early-career accounting graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the accounting program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida landed the #23 spot for accounting value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,003. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $65,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Trident Technical College landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #25 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for accounting this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1199 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,199 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/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.
