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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Ozarks Technical Community College this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,082 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,169. That is a strong return on a $17,082 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for accounting. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #3 place for accounting. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for accounting. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $60,344. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Jefferson College came in at #6 for value in accounting this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,664. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $59,567. That is a strong return on a $22,350 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #8 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,259. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #9 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,591. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $56,565. Set against $25,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #10 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $58,368. That is a strong return on a $21,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Missouri Western State University landed the #11 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $47,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #12 position for value in accounting this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $53,737. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,939. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,418 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $55,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,707 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $64,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Evangel University came in at #17 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,876. Accounting graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lindenwood University earned the #18 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,553. Accounting graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Park University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $28,461 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Park University earn a median of $50,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #21 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $65,416. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,379. Accounting graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $46,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $63,137. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.