by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in accounting in Michigan. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,862. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,677. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #4. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $11,499 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,499 median debt.
Delta College landed the #6 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #8 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $40,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Mott Community College placed #10 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,746. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $37,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #11 position for value in accounting this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $30,899. Early-career accounting graduates make about $63,750. That is a strong return on a $30,899 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Michigan College earned the #12 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,445, while out-of-state students pay about $7,755. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lake Michigan College generally make around $50,185. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #13 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $35,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Oakland University landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $63,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Jackson Community College landed the #15 spot for accounting value this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $16,960. Accounting graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Wayne County Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $25,838 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $46,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,838 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $63,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #19 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,243. Early-career accounting graduates make about $53,416. That is a strong return on a $25,243 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #20 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,504. Accounting graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $61,148 early in their careers. Set against $21,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Bay De Noc Community College placed #21 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,453 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,625. Early-career accounting graduates make about $39,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,651 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $55,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,651 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University came in at #23 for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,301 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Michigan Technological University landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #25 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
This list is compiled 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.