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2024 Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

168 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
7,979 Bachelor's Degrees
$48,950 Avg Early-Career Salary
Accounting is of the hottest bachelor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #8 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 168 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 7,979 bachelor's degrees in accounting during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Accounting School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region Your choice of accounting for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for accounting students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Accounting Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The accounting school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.


 

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Accounting in the Great Lakes Region

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Accounting

1
385 Annual Graduates
$65,425 Median Starting Salary
$20,500 Median Student Debt

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in accounting. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting major at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign get $16,475 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2
106 Annual Graduates
$66,502 Median Starting Salary
$19,000 Median Student Debt

University of Notre Dame is a wonderful decision for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in accounting. Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Accounting bachelor's degree recipients from University of Notre Dame receive an earnings boost of approximately $17,552 over the average earnings of accounting majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Notre Dame

3
129 Annual Graduates
$61,605 Median Starting Salary
$21,294 Median Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Madison is a great option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in accounting. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Accounting bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison receive an earnings boost of around $12,655 above the typical earnings of accounting majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Wisconsin - Madison

4
367 Annual Graduates
$57,105 Median Starting Salary
$23,284 Median Student Debt

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in accounting has to take a look at Ohio State University - Main Campus. Ohio State is a very large public university located in the city of Columbus.

Accounting bachelor's degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $8,155 above the typical income of accounting graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Ohio State University - Main Campus

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
214 Annual Graduates
$58,100 Median Starting Salary
$23,250 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population.

Those accounting students who get their bachelor's degree from Michigan State University earn $9,150 more than the typical accounting grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Michigan State University

6
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
228 Annual Graduates
$61,704 Median Starting Salary
$24,500 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting program at DePaul University make $12,754 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from DePaul University

7
165 Annual Graduates
$58,058 Median Starting Salary
$23,000 Median Student Debt

Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public university located in the fringe town of Oxford.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting major at Miami University - Oxford make $9,108 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Miami University - Oxford

8
39 Annual Graduates
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Case Western is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cleveland.More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Case Western Reserve University

9
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
85 Annual Graduates
$60,290 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Those accounting students who get their bachelor's degree from Marquette University earn $11,340 more than the average accounting student.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Marquette University

10
82 Annual Graduates
$62,124 Median Starting Salary
$22,125 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting degree program at Loyola University Chicago earn $13,174 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Loyola University Chicago

11
183 Annual Graduates
$51,289 Median Starting Salary
$22,875 Median Student Debt

UC is a very large public university located in the city of Cincinnati.

Those accounting students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus receive $2,339 more than the standard accounting graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

12
81 Annual Graduates
$55,463 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

UDayton is a large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Dayton.

Those accounting students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Dayton receive $6,513 more than the typical accounting grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Dayton

13
166 Annual Graduates
$53,944 Median Starting Salary
$18,750 Median Student Debt

UIC is a very large public university located in the city of Chicago.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting major at University of Illinois at Chicago get $4,994 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Illinois at Chicago

14
122 Annual Graduates
$56,777 Median Starting Salary
$19,500 Median Student Debt

Purdue is a very large public university located in the city of West Lafayette.

Those accounting students who get their bachelor's degree from Purdue University - Main Campus receive $7,827 more than the average accounting student.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Purdue University - Main Campus

15
Butler crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
39 Annual Graduates
$23,250 Median Student Debt

Butler is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Indianapolis.More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Butler University

16
46 Annual Graduates
$58,768 Median Starting Salary
$26,925 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Accounting bachelor's degree recipients from Bradley University earn a boost of around $9,818 above the typical income of accounting majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Bradley University

17
188 Annual Graduates
$54,480 Median Starting Salary
$22,482 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting major at Illinois State University make $5,530 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Illinois State University

18
131 Annual Graduates
$54,237 Median Starting Salary
$21,500 Median Student Debt

UW - Whitewater is a large public university located in the distant town of Whitewater.

Accounting bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater receive an earnings boost of around $5,287 over the average income of accounting majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

19
22 Annual Graduates
$61,838 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting degree program at Illinois Wesleyan University get $12,888 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University

20
96 Annual Graduates
$48,140 Median Starting Salary
$20,973 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the accounting program earn about $48,140 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Toledo

21
87 Annual Graduates
$47,151 Median Starting Salary
$38,935 Median Student Debt

Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the accounting program make around $47,151 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

22
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
127 Annual Graduates
$47,252 Median Starting Salary
$32,941 Median Student Debt

Franklin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Columbus.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the accounting program earn about $47,252 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Franklin University

23
123 Annual Graduates
$49,303 Median Starting Salary
$21,504 Median Student Debt

Wayne State is a very large public university located in the city of Detroit.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the accounting program make around $49,303 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from Wayne State University

24
88 Annual Graduates
$55,270 Median Starting Salary
$23,072 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Eau Claire, UW - Eau Claire is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the accounting degree program at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire make $6,320 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

25
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
51 Annual Graduates
$55,750 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Accounting bachelor's degree recipients from John Carroll University receive an earnings boost of about $6,800 over the typical income of accounting graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in accounting from John Carroll University

Rest of the Top Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
26 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
27 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
28 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
29 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
30 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
31 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
32 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
33 Ball State University Muncie, IN

Best Accounting Colleges by State

Explore the best accounting schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 261 1,631
Ohio 252 2,198
Illinois 241 2,155
Indiana 235 967
Wisconsin 213 1,013

View All Rankings >

One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Accounting has other similar majors worth exploring.

Accounting Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Accounting 7,851
Accounting and Finance 45
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping 43
Other Accounting and Related Services 17
Accounting and Business/Management 16
Auditing 7

Majors Similar to Accounting

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 18,114
Finance & Financial Management 8,740
Marketing 8,627
General Business/Commerce 4,860
Human Resource Management 2,347
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 2,185
Management Information Systems 1,545
Hospitality Management 1,086
International Business 1,048
Entrepreneurial Studies 688

Notes and References

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