2027 Best Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Accounting degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 185 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Accounting in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Accounting
University Of Notre Dame tops our 2027 ranking of the best accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 95 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $74,771 in their early career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Get the full accounting details for University Of Notre Dame
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 292 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $74,731 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the accounting program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong accounting program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 56 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $75,990. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
See the full accounting program report for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in accounting, ranking #4. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 221 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $69,131 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,294 in student loans.
Read more about the accounting program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in accounting, ranking #5. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 365 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $62,399. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,284 in student loans.
See the full accounting program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for accounting this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 174 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,021 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at Purdue University Main Campus
Michigan State University earned the #7 position for accounting this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 167 accounting degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $67,316 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in accounting from Michigan State University
Miami University Oxford landed the #8 spot for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 202 accounting degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $68,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
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Loyola University Chicago placed #9 among the best accounting schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 60 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $71,441 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree.
See the full accounting program report for Loyola University Chicago
Northern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for accounting this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 117 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $67,610 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
Get the full accounting details for Northern Illinois University
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #11 spot for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 193 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $68,849 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
Read more about the accounting program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
Illinois State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best accounting schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 161 accounting degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $66,118 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,482 to complete this degree.
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Marquette University came in at #13 for accounting this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $67,665 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in accounting from Marquette University
Butler University came in at #14 for accounting this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Butler University awarded about 43 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Butler University earn a median of $72,107 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in accounting from Butler University
Depaul University landed the #15 spot for accounting this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 234 accounting degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $70,916 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
Read more about the accounting program at Depaul University
University Of Dayton landed the #16 spot for accounting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dayton awarded about 86 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from University Of Dayton earn around $67,214 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Fox Valley Technical College placed #17 among the best accounting schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. About 142 accounting degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $41,261. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $15,835 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best accounting schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 63 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $62,450 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,264 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #19 spot for accounting this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 72 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $62,798 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Case Western Reserve University came in at #20 for accounting this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 89 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $66,311. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full accounting details for Case Western Reserve University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #21 for accounting this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 116 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $59,378. Typical student debt for the program is $22,875.
Get the full accounting details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Elmhurst College came in at #22 for accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 19 accounting degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $59,734. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans.
See the full accounting program report for Elmhurst College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #23 spot for accounting this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 61 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $61,379 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,072 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for accounting this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 68 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $55,838 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans.
More information about a degree in accounting from Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Harper College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best accounting schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. About 139 accounting degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Harper College earn around $31,747 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree.
See the full accounting program report for Harper College
Rest of the Top 50 Accounting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong accounting education:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for accounting:
- #51 — Macomb Community College · Warren, MI
- #52 — Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI
- #53 — University Of Wisconsin River Falls · River Falls, WI
- #54 — Joliet Junior College · Joliet, IL
- #55 — University Of Cincinnati Clermont College · Batavia, OH
- #56 — Wayne State University · Detroit, MI
- #57 — Gateway Technical College · Kenosha, WI
- #58 — Milwaukee Area Technical College · Milwaukee, WI
- #59 — Kent State University At Kent · Kent, OH
- #60 — Lewis University · Romeoville, IL
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 185 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.