by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Accounting and Finance covers Accounting And Finance. An Integrated Or Combined Program In Accounting And Finance That Prepares Individuals To Function As Accountants And Financial Managers Or Analysts. Continue reading for the important information every accounting and finance major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering accounting and finance programs.
Nationwide, accounting and finance is a widely-pursued major, with 3,502 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Accounting and Finance Schools ranking analyzes these 131 schools to determine the best overall colleges for accounting and finance students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of accounting and finance programs later in this article.
Coursework for Accounting and Finance build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations accounting and finance graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a accounting and finance program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a accounting and finance major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several accounting and finance 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 | 141 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 491 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 799 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,071 |
People currently working in careers related to accounting and finance tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 49.1% |
| Master’s degree | 16.0% |
| Some college courses | 7.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.3% |
| First professional degree | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in accounting and finance careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying accounting and finance prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to accounting and finance.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to accounting and finance.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Budget Analysts | 509,913 | -2.6% |
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of accounting and finance graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 finance graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers accounting and finance 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 |
| Budget Analysts | $80,859 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,222 |
With 131 different accounting and finance programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased accounting and finance school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in accounting and finance, 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 Business/Management | 1,270 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 554 |
| Auditing | 178 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
