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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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.
Leading the list is University Of South Carolina Columbia, our #1 for accounting graduate salaries in South Carolina. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of South Carolina Columbia make a median of around $101,535 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Clemson University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Clemson University is a public school located in the suburb of Clemson. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Clemson University typically earn about $93,209 annually.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Charleston one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from College Of Charleston typically earn about $90,105 annually.
Coastal Carolina University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,488.
Strong graduate earnings at Strayer University South Carolina earned it the #5 place for accounting. Set in the city of Greenville, Strayer University South Carolina is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,196.
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 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.