by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a accounting degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the early-career earnings of their accounting graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send accounting graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked The College Of New Jersey the top school for accounting graduate earnings in New Jersey. The College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the suburb of Ewing. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey typically earn about $98,331 annually.
Seton Hall University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Early-career accounting graduates from Seton Hall University make a median of around $107,534 per year.
Rutgers University New Brunswick produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,382.
Students chasing top earnings in accounting will find them at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of about $96,396 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University Newark produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark typically earn about $97,558 annually.
Montclair State University earned the #6 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,007.
Rider University landed the #7 spot for accounting salaries 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 $89,065 annually.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #8 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. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus typically earn about $100,561 annually.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #9 spot for accounting salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham typically earn about $85,640 annually.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #10 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $91,549 a year early in their careers.
Thomas Edison State College landed the #11 spot for accounting salaries this year. Thomas Edison State College is a public school located in the city of Trenton. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Thomas Edison State College typically earn about $78,149 annually.
Rowan University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Rowan University make a median of around $77,306 per year.
Georgian Court University came in at #13 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,770.
Caldwell College came in at #14 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Caldwell College earn a median of about $57,566 a year early in their careers.
Saint Peters College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of about $82,895 a year early in their careers.
Strayer University New Jersey placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the suburb of Piscataway, Strayer University New Jersey is a private for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Strayer University New Jersey earn a median of about $60,306 a year early in their careers.
Hudson County Community College earned the #17 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,918.
New Jersey City University came in at #18 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,554.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for accounting salaries this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,639.
Kean University came in at #20 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Kean University is a public school located in the suburb of Union. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,843.
Essex County College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Essex County College is a public school located in the city of Newark. Early-career accounting graduates from Essex County College make a median of around $44,577 per year.
Berkeley College Woodland Park came in at #22 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Woodland Park, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a private for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Berkeley College Woodland Park earn a median of about $60,184 a year early in their careers.
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 · 22 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.
