by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 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.
Nicolet Area Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among accounting schools in Wisconsin. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. In-state tuition and fees average $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,419. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,959. Accounting graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $32,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,959 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Park Technical College earned it the #3 place for accounting. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $42,629. That is a strong return on a $12,419 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Milwaukee Area Technical College earned it the #4 place for accounting. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $19,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $19,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,536. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,925. Set against $14,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $13,541 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $33,568. That is a strong return on a $13,541 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,796 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $42,732. Set against $16,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $15,835 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $41,261 early in their careers. Set against $15,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,634. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt.
Mid State Technical College came in at #11 for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #13 among the best values for accounting. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,760. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $47,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Gateway Technical College placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $15,364 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $40,154. That is a strong return on a $15,364 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $62,798. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #16 among the best values for accounting. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,000. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $56,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #17 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,151. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $59,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #18 position for value in accounting this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,252. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #19 for value in accounting this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $21,541 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $60,885. That is a strong return on a $21,541 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,888 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $51,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #21 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $54,119. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,264. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $62,450. That is a strong return on a $23,264 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Carroll University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $61,110. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $69,131. That is a strong return on a $21,294 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #25 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,072. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for accounting this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.