by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose accounting graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the top school for accounting graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $165,279.
Pepperdine University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of about $104,343 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at American University earned it the #3 place for accounting. American University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career accounting graduates from American University make a median of around $104,304 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in accounting will find them at St Francis College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $102,947.
Students chasing top earnings in accounting will find them at Mercer University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Mercer University make a median of around $98,559 per year.
University Of Miami placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of Miami typically earn about $97,421 annually.
Santa Clara University landed the #7 spot for accounting salaries this year. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $123,065.
Boston College earned the #8 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Boston College earn a median of about $122,243 a year early in their careers.
Bucknell University came in at #9 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Bucknell University typically earn about $121,826 annually.
Lehigh University earned the #10 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Lehigh University make a median of around $118,286 per year.
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #11 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University make a median of around $92,989 per year.
Villanova University came in at #12 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Early-career accounting graduates from Villanova University make a median of around $114,801 per year.
Trinity University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Trinity University typically earn about $92,279 annually.
Washington And Lee University came in at #14 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Early-career accounting graduates from Washington And Lee University make a median of around $106,739 per year.
Howard University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Howard University typically earn about $89,996 annually.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of Notre Dame make a median of around $109,595 per year.
Salve Regina University landed the #17 spot for accounting salaries this year. Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,826.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Accounting graduates of West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $88,795 a year early in their careers.
Fordham University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Fordham University typically earn about $106,654 annually.
Ithaca College came in at #20 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Ithaca College typically earn about $88,257 annually.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #21 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $112,523 a year early in their careers.
Fairfield University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $110,042.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #23 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Seattle Pacific University make a median of around $86,909 per year.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #24 spot for accounting salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University typically earn about $86,401 annually.
Syracuse University came in at #25 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of about $101,760 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid accounting ranking:
These schools also placed among the highest-paying for accounting graduates this year:
Explore the highest-paying accounting schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries accounting graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.