by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a accounting degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 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 Johnson County Community College the top school for accounting graduate earnings in Kansas. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Johnson County Community College make a median of around $49,995 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in accounting will find them at Rasmussen College Kansas, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Topeka, Rasmussen College Kansas is a private for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Rasmussen College Kansas make a median of around $52,198 per year.
Benedictine College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. Early-career accounting graduates from Benedictine College make a median of around $79,921 per year.
Southwestern College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of about $64,790 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Wichita State University one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. Wichita State University is a public school located in the city of Wichita. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Wichita State University typically earn about $72,214 annually.
University Of Kansas earned the #6 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Accounting graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of about $83,332 a year early in their careers.
Friends University came in at #7 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Friends University make a median of around $69,393 per year.
Washburn University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Washburn University make a median of around $66,605 per year.
Kansas State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of about $79,534 a year early in their careers.
Fort Hays State University came in at #10 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,152.
Butler Community College came in at #11 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of about $41,021 a year early in their careers.
Pittsburg State University earned the #12 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,515.
Ottawa University Kansas City landed the #13 spot for accounting salaries this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Ottawa University Kansas City earn a median of about $51,664 a year early in their careers.
Ottawa University Online came in at #14 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Ottawa University Online earn a median of about $51,664 a year early in their careers.
Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Set in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $51,664 a year early in their careers.
Emporia State University came in at #16 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Emporia State University is a public school located in the town of Emporia. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Emporia State University typically earn about $72,650 annually.
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.