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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their accounting graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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 Vanderbilt University the top school for accounting graduate earnings in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Vanderbilt University make a median of around $122,891 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Rhodes College one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of about $94,916 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Belmont University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $94,661.
Students chasing top earnings in accounting will find them at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $89,097 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Lee University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Lee University typically earn about $80,730 annually.
Lipscomb University came in at #6 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Lipscomb University make a median of around $79,655 per year.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University typically earn about $78,005 annually.
Nashville State Community College earned the #8 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,206.
Carson Newman College came in at #9 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,058.
Tennessee State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Nashville. Early-career accounting graduates from Tennessee State University make a median of around $68,010 per year.
University Of Memphis came in at #11 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,684.
Strayer University Tennessee landed the #12 spot for accounting salaries this year. Strayer University Tennessee is a private for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Early-career accounting graduates from Strayer University Tennessee make a median of around $55,073 per year.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #13 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin typically earn about $68,020 annually.
East Tennessee State University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. East Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Johnson City. Early-career accounting graduates from East Tennessee State University make a median of around $64,630 per year.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University typically earn about $60,887 annually.
Austin Peay State University earned the #16 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,566.
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 · 16 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.