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 schools below stand out for the salaries their accounting graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 22 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.
Our analysis ranked Kirkwood Community College the top school for accounting graduate earnings in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,059.
Strong graduate earnings at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Accounting graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of about $54,763 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Drake University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Early-career accounting graduates from Drake University make a median of around $90,542 per year.
University Of Iowa produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of Iowa make a median of around $90,952 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Luther College earned it the #5 place for accounting. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $90,836.
Coe College came in at #6 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,342.
Wartburg College landed the #7 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of about $79,556 a year early in their careers.
Simpson College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,451.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College typically earn about $46,073 annually.
Loras College landed the #10 spot for accounting salaries this year. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Early-career accounting graduates from Loras College make a median of around $74,427 per year.
Central College earned the #11 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Central College earn a median of about $74,897 a year early in their careers.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,333.
Iowa State University earned the #13 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. Accounting graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of about $73,400 a year early in their careers.
Grand View University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,591.
University Of Dubuque came in at #15 for accounting graduate earnings this year. University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of Dubuque make a median of around $77,576 per year.
Morningside College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,752.
Mount Mercy University came in at #17 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $73,088 a year early in their careers.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #18 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College typically earn about $34,045 annually.
Upper Iowa University earned the #19 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Upper Iowa University typically earn about $58,713 annually.
Buena Vista University earned the #20 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,537.
Briar Cliff University came in at #21 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Accounting graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $54,079 a year early in their careers.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #22 spot for accounting salaries this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public school located in the rural area of Calmar. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,575.
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.