2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Kentucky
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in accounting in Kentucky. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,425. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for accounting. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,750. Accounting graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $42,322 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,726. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $55,018. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Morehead State University placed #6 among the best values for accounting. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,440 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $43,607. That is a strong return on a $27,440 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $62,463. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,938. Accounting graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. Set against $26,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
Brescia University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,550. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $33,995. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 35%.
University Of Louisville placed #10 among the best values for accounting. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,374 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $51,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Asbury University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $28,104. Early-career accounting graduates make about $50,086. Set against $28,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Campbellsville University came in at #12 for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $43,474. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Thomas More College placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Thomas More College generally make around $55,385. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Transylvania University placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,000. Early-career accounting graduates make about $58,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $46,024 early in their careers. Set against $26,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Midway College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Midway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,110. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,723 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Midway College earn a median of $42,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,723 median debt. Midway College admits about 95% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
