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 4 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.
Leading the list is George Washington University, our #1 for accounting graduate salaries in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $116,371 annually.
A rank of #2 makes American University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from American University make a median of around $101,772 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in accounting will find them at Strayer University District Of Columbia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, Strayer University District Of Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Strayer University District Of Columbia make a median of around $69,196 per year.
Strayer University Global Region produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Strayer University Global Region is a private for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Strayer University Global Region make a median of around $69,196 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 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.