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 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send accounting graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Seattle Pacific University, our #1 for accounting graduate salaries in Washington. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $86,909 a year early in their careers.
Seattle University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Early-career accounting graduates from Seattle University make a median of around $102,504 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Gonzaga University earned it the #3 place for accounting. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of about $96,389 a year early in their careers.
Shoreline Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Shoreline Community College make a median of around $50,485 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Clark College one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Clark College make a median of around $49,025 per year.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus typically earn about $87,336 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $87,336 annually.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #8 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. Accounting graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $87,336 a year early in their careers.
Whitworth University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Whitworth University typically earn about $80,683 annually.
Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs came in at #10 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Accounting graduates of Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs earn a median of about $80,683 a year early in their careers.
Western Washington University earned the #11 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Western Washington University is a public school located in the city of Bellingham. Early-career accounting graduates from Western Washington University make a median of around $76,780 per year.
Washington State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,091.
Central Washington University landed the #13 spot for accounting salaries this year. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Accounting graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $73,436 a year early in their careers.
Saint Martins University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Saint Martins University make a median of around $59,068 per year.
Eastern Washington University came in at #15 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Eastern Washington University typically earn about $63,345 annually.
Spokane Community College landed the #16 spot for accounting salaries this year. Spokane Community College is a public school located in the city of Spokane. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Spokane Community College typically earn about $32,350 annually.
Tacoma Community College came in at #17 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Tacoma Community College is a public school located in the city of Tacoma. Early-career accounting graduates from Tacoma Community College make a median of around $36,573 per year.
Walla Walla Community College earned the #18 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Walla Walla Community College is a public school located in the city of Walla Walla. Accounting graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of about $33,760 a year early in their careers.
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 · 18 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.