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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $19,254 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $48,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Butler County Community College earned it the #3 place for accounting. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania Highlands Community College one of the best values for accounting. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,732 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Luzerne County Community College placed #7 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,614. Accounting graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #8 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $32,407. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia placed #9 among the best values for accounting. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $16,059. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Set against $16,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,874. Accounting graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $37,297 early in their careers. Set against $14,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,000. Early-career accounting graduates make about $55,915. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington landed the #12 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington generally make around $63,425. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Holy Family University earned the #13 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #14 for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $49,454. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for accounting value this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,527. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,601. That is a strong return on a $26,527 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #16 position for value in accounting this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,299 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $57,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,299 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $56,583. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #18 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $67,709. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University earned the #19 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $63,243. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #20 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $55,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,590. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,359. That is a strong return on a $23,590 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Set against $26,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,512, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $30,959. Accounting graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $41,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Albright College placed #24 among the best values for accounting. Albright College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,000. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,245. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Pa came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,290. Students borrow a median of $26,638 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $52,721. Set against $26,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
The ranking above is published 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.