by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Kapiolani Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools in Hawaii. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kauai Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,388. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kauai Community College generally make around $23,210. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Leeward Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $48,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Hawaii At Manoa one of the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,417 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $59,066. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Hawaii ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630. Accounting graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.