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 9 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.
Shepherd University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools in West Virginia. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Shepherd University make a median of around $71,328 per year.
West Virginia University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,077.
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Accounting graduates of West Virginia University Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $82,077 a year early in their careers.
Strayer University West Virginia produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Scott Depot, Strayer University West Virginia is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,194.
American Public University System produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Accounting graduates of American Public University System earn a median of about $56,670 a year early in their careers.
Fairmont State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Fairmont State University is a public school located in the town of Fairmont. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,376.
Marshall University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Marshall University is a public school located in the city of Huntington. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,347.
University Of Charleston earned the #8 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of Charleston make a median of around $45,410 per year.
West Virginia Junior College Morgantown ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia Junior College Morgantown is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from West Virginia Junior College Morgantown typically earn about $31,860 annually.
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 · 9 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.