2020 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree Programs
These are the best 25 colleges that offer an online Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, based on median salary one year after graduation. With a median starting salary of $60,300, University of Massachusetts - Amherst outranks the other schools on the list. Thomas Edison State University offers the lowest median debt on the list, at $15,775. Starting median salaries for graduates from the top 25 schools range from $47,400-$60,300.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
| School | Annual Tuition | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst | $38,171 | $23,000 | $60,300 |
| Pace University | $50,026 | $26,000 | $59,900 |
| Pennsylvania State University | $38,651 | $27,000 | $56,200 |
| Arizona State University, Online | $30,592 | $17,875 | $53,700 |
| Elizabethtown College | $35,670 | $27,000 | $51,100 |
| University of Arkansas | $27,410 | $20,424 | $50,800 |
| University of Louisville | $28,866 | $18,902 | $50,700 |
| Colorado State University Global | $8,400 | $26,562 | $50,400 |
| Champlain College | $44,220 | $25,000 | $49,900 |
| Temple University | $35,608 | $26,171 | $49,800 |
| Maryville University | $27,166 | $25,642 | $49,400 |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | $12,336 | $22,560 | $49,000 |
| Saint Ambrose University | $34,570 | $24,812 | $48,700 |
| Capella University | $14,328 | $39,008 | $48,700 |
| California Baptist University | $38,058 | $31,000 | $48,600 |
| Northwood University - Michigan | $31,600 | $18,045 | $48,400 |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | $9,600 | $22,634 | $48,400 |
| Auburn University | $32,960 | $19,645 | $48,100 |
| University of Toledo | $21,380 | $23,597 | $47,400 |
| Nichols College | $38,800 | $27,000 | $47,400 |
2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Bachelor's in Accounting degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
Several online degree completion programs are available through the Isenberg School of Management at The University of Massachusetts Amherst. The AACSB-accredited school offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting. The 120-credit degree requires applicants to have completed a minimum of 27 transferable college credits. The flexible online format allows students to log in at their convenience while receiving the same education from the same instructors as their on-campus peers.
The program curriculum covers taxation, information systems, managerial accounting, and financial reporting to prepare graduates for a range of functions across the field of accounting. Students will need to complete 12 general education requirements, 21 credits of non-business electives, 11 core business courses, and nine accounting program courses.
Graduates may pursue employment opportunities as tax specialists, auditors, treasurers, controllers, or other accounting roles. The Isenberg School of Management offers its students access to a variety of resources to help them succeed. The Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship provides engagement and entrepreneur activities, such as innovation challenges, guest speakers, and accelerator programs designed to help launch promising new ventures. There is also a business communication center that offers speaking and writing assistance, and a career center to help students prepare for and find career opportunities.
Pace University is an independent institution with campus locations in New York City and Westchester County. As part of their mission to provide quality education to students, they have expanded their offerings to include online education programs to meet the needs of distance learners. An online Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Studies with an Accounting and Internal Auditing concentration is available through the Lubin School of Business, which holds accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The 120-credit degree completion program requires applicants to have a minimum of 56 transferable college credits.
Distance learners will begin their program with a mandatory two-week online seminar that introduces them to the online learning environment. The remaining credits are earned through prior learning assessment (credits awarded for previous work and life experience) and/or coursework. Students completing the remaining credits through coursework will take 63 credits of required core courses, 29 credits of business core courses, 23 credits of accounting and internal auditing concentration courses, and one statistics course. Concentration courses include Cost Accounting, Internal Auditing, and Accounting Information Systems. Graduates should be able to use the appropriate tools to analyze data to optimize the financial operations of a company, prevent fraud, and respond to suspected threats.
Offering distance education for over 125 years, The Pennsylvania State University system established Penn State World Campus in 1998 to give non-traditional learners around the world access to quality education. Through a partnership with Penn State Harrisburg, World Campus offers an online AACSB–accredited Bachelor of Science in Accounting. The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the business environment and the role of accounting within the field. It also helps to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam or to pursue other certifications, including Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Graduates can choose to pursue certification, an advanced degree, or begin a career in the field.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 credits divided between required core courses, general education courses, and electives. The program explores a variety of business and accounting topics, including management, marketing, international business, financial accounting, auditing, and governmental and not-for-profit accounting. Graduates should demonstrate proficiency in accounting functions, understand the business environment, and be able to operate ethically and efficiently in an organization.
Arizona State University seeks to meet the needs of non-traditional students through its online platform, ASU Online. An online Bachelor of Arts in Business with a concentration in Corporate Accounting is among the degrees offered. The program is designed to prepare graduates for managerial accounting careers. The bachelor's degree requires a total of 120 credit hours, including upper-division courses such as Management Accounting for Corporate Accountants, Financial Statement Analysis, and Taxes for Corporate Accountants. The curriculum is structured to equip students with the analytical and leadership skills needed to evaluate financial information and make decisions that drive an organization's fiscal performance.
Graduates may pursue career opportunities as an accounting manager, financial analyst, chief financial officer, controller, treasurer, or internal auditor. The W. P. Carey School of Business, which is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), offers undergraduate students many opportunities to maximize their education and career opportunities. Their Professional Mentorship Program pairs business students with professional mentors to provide them with practical experience, career guidance, and networking opportunities. Study abroad and entrepreneurship and innovation programs are also available to students interested in enhancing their education.