by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Accounting and Business/Management covers Accounting And Business/management. An Integrated Or Combined Program In Accounting And Business Administration/management That Prepares Individuals To Function As Accountants And Business Managers. Continue reading for the important information every accounting and business/management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering accounting and business/management programs.
In the U.S., accounting and business/management is a widely-pursued major, with 1,270 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Accounting and Business/Management Schools ranking analyzes these 105 schools to determine the best overall colleges for accounting and business/management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of accounting and business/management programs later in this article.
Studies in Accounting and Business/Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations accounting and business/management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a accounting and business/management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a accounting and business/management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several accounting and business/management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 218 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 567 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 433 |
People currently working in careers related to accounting and business/management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.8% |
| Master’s degree | 19.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.1% |
| Some college courses | 9.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.2% |
| First professional degree | 5.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in accounting and business/management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in accounting and business/management can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to accounting and business/management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to accounting and business/management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 388,087 | 3.0% |
| Treasurers and Controllers | 229,662 | 0.6% |
| Investment Fund Managers | 185,925 | 14.1% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Financial Managers | 145,690 | 9.0% |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | 76,931 | 6.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of accounting and business/management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,191 |
| 4 years | $61,213 |
| 5 years | $69,643 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for accounting and business/management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers accounting and business/management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,222 |
| Financial Managers | $75,665 |
With 105 different accounting and business/management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased accounting and business/management school rankings to help you.
Those considering accounting and business/management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 58,956 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 17,375 |
| Accounting and Finance | 3,502 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 554 |
| Auditing | 178 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
