2026 Best Accounting Schools
Looking for the best Accounting programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 2085 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Business Degree Central evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Accounting Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
University Of Notre Dame earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Bucknell University came in at #2 on this year's Accounting ranking in the United States. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Students borrow a median of $26,881 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full Bucknell University profile
The strong Accounting programs at Lehigh University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Graduates carry a median of $23,179 in student loans. More on Lehigh University
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on this year's Accounting ranking in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Accounting program here. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on this year's Accounting ranking in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Georgetown University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Typical Accounting student debt is $17,500. Read more about Georgetown University
Emory University placed #7 among Accounting schools in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. The median Accounting program debt is $19,431. More on Emory University
Washington And Lee University placed #8 among Accounting schools in the United States. Set in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Typical Accounting student debt is $16,750. More on Washington And Lee University
Santa Clara University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical Accounting student debt is $17,188. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #10 position. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Accounting student debt is $20,500. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Vanderbilt University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. The median Accounting program debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Located in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. College Of The Holy Cross Accounting students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full College Of The Holy Cross profile
Washington University In St Louis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Villanova University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Villanova University Accounting students take on a median of $25,858 in debt. Read more about Villanova University
New York University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Typical Accounting student debt is $21,897. See the full New York University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,462 to complete their Accounting program here. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Richmond did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. The median Accounting program debt is $20,757. More on University Of Richmond
Illinois Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,704. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Illinois Wesleyan University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Accounting students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Located in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,756. Graduates carry a median of $26,925 in student loans. Read more about College Of Saint Benedict
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. The median Accounting program debt is $20,542. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Texas Christian University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. The median Accounting program debt is $17,778. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Saint Johns University did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Collegeville, MN. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,816. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Johns University
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. The median Accounting program debt is $21,577. Read more about Wake Forest University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Accounting students take on a median of $21,294 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Rest of the Top 50 Best Accounting Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Madison Area Technical College placed #29 among Accounting schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,252 in student loans. More on Madison Area Technical College
Boston College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about Boston College
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. The College Of New Jersey Accounting students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
University Of Mary placed #33 among Accounting schools in the United States. Located in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. The median Accounting program debt is $26,983. Read more about University Of Mary
North Shore Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. This public school is set in Danvers, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,352, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Typical Accounting student debt is $14,145. Get the full North Shore Community College report
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $17,641 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about Michigan State University
University Of Scranton landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. University Of Scranton Accounting students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Scranton report
University Of Delaware came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,177 in student loans. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Marquette University placed #39 among Accounting schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. The median Accounting program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Marquette University
Saint Marys College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Notre Dame, IN, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,230 in tuition and fees. The median Accounting program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Saint Marys College
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. The median Accounting program debt is $22,484. Read the full report on James Madison University
Bentley University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,000. The median Accounting program debt is $27,000. More on Bentley University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #43 among Accounting schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Accounting students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Fairfield University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fairfield, CT. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Students borrow a median of $26,633 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about Fairfield University
Drake University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. The median Accounting program debt is $20,500. Read the full report on Drake University
Rutgers University Newark came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $22,770 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about Rutgers University Newark
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Accounting schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. The median Accounting program debt is $25,000. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
Dakota County Technical College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Dakota County Technical College Accounting students take on a median of $21,469 in debt. Get the full Dakota County Technical College report
Elon University placed #49 among Accounting schools in the United States. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Elon, NC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,958. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Accounting program here. More on Elon University
University Of Georgia placed #50 among Accounting schools in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. University Of Georgia Accounting students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. More on University Of Georgia
University Of California Davis came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. University Of California Davis Accounting students take on a median of $14,404 in debt. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Purdue University Main Campus placed #52 among Accounting schools in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Accounting program here. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Loyola Marymount University came in at #53 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
Syracuse University came in at #54 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Accounting program here. Read more about Syracuse University
Best Accounting Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Accounting Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Accounting Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 2085 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).