2026 Best Value Accounting Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Accounting doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2085 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Business Degree Central analyzed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Accounting Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Anderson University Indiana to be the best-value Accounting school in the United States. Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit school based in Anderson, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,240. Students borrow a median of $27,401 to complete their Accounting program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,899. Set against $27,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Anderson University Indiana has an acceptance rate of 79%. Read the full report on Anderson University Indiana
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on this year's best-value Accounting ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $19,462 to complete their Accounting program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $19,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin has an acceptance rate of 27%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Capella University alumni report median earnings of $42,189 a decade after entry. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Capella University report
Out of the 2085 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Accounting program here. University Of Pennsylvania alumni report median earnings of $111,371 a decade after entry. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania has an acceptance rate of 5%. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the best values in the United States. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,707 to complete their Accounting program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,403. That is a strong return on a $20,707 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
Washington State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical Accounting student debt is $25,000. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants. Read more about Washington State University
Michigan State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Accounting program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,253 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Michigan State University report
Georgia State University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical Accounting student debt is $25,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,384 ten years after entry. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Georgia State University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. The median Accounting program debt is $19,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,251. Set against $19,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
The University Of Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. The University Of Alabama Accounting students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,221. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
University Of Oregon ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. University Of Oregon alumni report median earnings of $61,324 a decade after entry. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Oregon report
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public school based in San Antonio, TX. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At San Antonio Accounting students take on a median of $20,647 in debt. Median earnings reach $57,131 ten years out. Set against $20,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read more about The University Of Texas At San Antonio
City University Of Seattle ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. See the full City University Of Seattle profile
College Of Marin
College Of Marin placed #14 among the best-value Accounting schools in the United States. See the full College Of Marin profile
Crowder College
Crowder College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. See the full Crowder College profile
Dickinson State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. See the full Dickinson State University profile
Greenfield Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. See the full Greenfield Community College profile
Herzing University Kenosha ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. More on Herzing University Kenosha
Jefferson Community College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Jefferson Community College
Lansdale School Of Business offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. More on Lansdale School Of Business
Loyola University Chicago landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Loyola University Chicago
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Get the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus report
Park University
Park University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Park University
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. More on Santa Rosa Junior College
Solano Community College placed #25 among the best-value Accounting schools in the United States. Get the full Solano Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Accounting Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Southwestern Oregon Community College placed #26 among the best-value Accounting schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southwestern Oregon Community College
Temple College
Temple College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full Temple College report
Tri County Technical College placed #28 among the best-value Accounting schools in the United States. Get the full Tri County Technical College report
University Of Sioux Falls landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Sioux Falls report
Baker College Of Flint placed #30 among the best-value Accounting schools in the United States. Read more about Baker College Of Flint
California State University Sacramento came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full California State University Sacramento profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College profile
College Of Central Florida came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on College Of Central Florida
De Anza College
De Anza College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. More on De Anza College
East Central College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about East Central College
Florida International University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Florida International University profile
Geneva College
Geneva College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. More on Geneva College
Iona College
Iona College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Iona College profile
James Madison University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on James Madison University
North Iowa Area Community College placed #40 among the best-value Accounting schools in the United States. Get the full North Iowa Area Community College report
Northwest University came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. More on Northwest University
Red River Technology Center landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Red River Technology Center
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Saint Josephs College New York
Sam Houston State University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Sam Houston State University
San Jose State University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Read the full report on San Jose State University
South Dakota State University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Read more about South Dakota State University
Southeast Technical Institute ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Accounting schools. Get the full Southeast Technical Institute report
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southeastern Community College West Burlington profile
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Texas Wesleyan University profile
Asher College
Asher College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Asher College
Related Accounting Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Accounting Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Accounting Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Accounting Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Accounting Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Accounting Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Accounting Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Accounting Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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).