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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the early-career earnings of their accounting graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose accounting graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in accounting, no school beat Montclair State University this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Montclair State University make a median of around $110,692 per year.
A rank of #2 makes New York University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Accounting graduates of New York University earn a median of about $141,568 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Fordham University earned it the #3 place for accounting. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Fordham University earn a median of about $128,727 a year early in their careers.
Seton Hall University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $112,942.
Long Island University C W Post Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $93,086.
George Washington University landed the #6 spot for accounting salaries this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $116,371 annually.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #7 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public school located in the city of New York. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College typically earn about $114,029 annually.
Pace University New York placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Pace University New York typically earn about $109,620 annually.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #9 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Suny At Binghamton make a median of around $113,196 per year.
American University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of American University earn a median of about $101,772 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #11 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Rutgers University Camden make a median of around $103,170 per year.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #12 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $103,170 a year early in their careers.
St Johns University New York earned the #13 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $108,415.
Manhattan College earned the #14 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Manhattan College typically earn about $104,464 annually.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #15 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Accounting graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of about $90,488 a year early in their careers.
Hofstra University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Early-career accounting graduates from Hofstra University make a median of around $107,914 per year.
Rider University came in at #17 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Rider University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Rider University typically earn about $100,110 annually.
Villanova University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,288.
St Francis College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from St Francis College typically earn about $106,785 annually.
La Salle University earned the #20 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from La Salle University make a median of around $104,622 per year.
Saint Josephs College New York landed the #21 spot for accounting salaries this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York typically earn about $97,973 annually.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #22 spot for accounting salaries this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Early-career accounting graduates from Suny College At Old Westbury make a median of around $96,668 per year.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #23 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Cuny Hunter College is a public school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $100,354.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of about $101,509 a year early in their careers.
University At Buffalo placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University At Buffalo typically earn about $103,147 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning accounting graduates:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their accounting graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 61 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.
