[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 288 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in accounting in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,000. Accounting graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $73,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,620 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for accounting. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,430. 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. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for accounting. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,070 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $69,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,003 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $65,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,313 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $70,375. Set against $11,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $77,276. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,106. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $54,813. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #9 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,030 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $70,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,810 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,699. Set against $15,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #11 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $59,480 early in their careers. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #12 among the best values for accounting. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,694 in student loans. Accounting graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $58,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $65,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $71,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $30,899. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $81,946. Set against $30,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #16 position for value in accounting this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $70,524 early in their careers. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,899 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $80,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #18 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,099 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,993. That is a strong return on a $25,099 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #19 position for value in accounting this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,073. Accounting graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $78,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #20 for value in accounting this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,736. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $67,669. Set against $19,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $67,253. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $52,425. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #23 spot for accounting value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,850. Accounting graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $69,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $72,017. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #25 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $71,474. That is a strong return on a $22,615 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for accounting this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 288 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 288 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
