Accounting programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 2085 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best accounting schools.
Our analysis ranked University Of Notre Dame the best school in the country for a degree in accounting. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 61 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $76,878 early in their careers. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full accounting program report for University Of Notre Dame
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 241 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $74,731 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
A rank of #3 makes Boston College one of the top schools for accounting. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 127 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $75,512 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
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Wake Forest University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 39 accounting degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Wake Forest University earn around $70,335 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at Wake Forest University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 219 accounting degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full accounting program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #6 for accounting this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 143 accounting degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $68,082 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,462 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in accounting from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best accounting schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 108 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $68,909 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,294 in student loans.
Read more about the accounting program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Santa Clara University earned the #8 position for accounting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 53 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $78,417 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250.
More information about a degree in accounting from Santa Clara University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #9 for accounting this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 128 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $70,303. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Georgetown University earned the #10 position for accounting this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $89,564. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
Read more about the accounting program at Georgetown University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #11 for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 479 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $67,186 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,641 to complete this degree.
Get the full accounting details for Texas A And M University College Station
Southern Methodist University came in at #12 for accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 56 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $68,643 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,850 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at Southern Methodist University
Baylor University earned the #13 position for accounting this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 214 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Baylor University earn around $68,187 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in accounting from Baylor University
Washington University In St Louis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 12 accounting degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at Washington University In St Louis
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #15 for accounting this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 134 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $69,821 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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Texas Christian University landed the #16 spot for accounting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Texas Christian University earn around $72,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,778 to complete this degree.
Read more about the accounting program at Texas Christian University
University Of Connecticut landed the #17 spot for accounting this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 104 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $70,945 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,898 to complete this degree.
See the full accounting program report for University Of Connecticut
Suny At Binghamton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 121 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $74,151 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full accounting program report for Suny At Binghamton
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #19 spot for accounting this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 92 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $66,591. Students borrow a median of $22,342 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Elon University placed #20 among the best accounting schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. Elon University awarded about 39 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Elon University earn around $69,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
More information about a degree in accounting from Elon University
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 108 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $68,141 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $22,770 in student loans.
More information about a degree in accounting from Rutgers University New Brunswick
James Madison University placed #22 among the best accounting schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 90 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from James Madison University earn around $71,563 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans.
Read more about the accounting program at James Madison University
University Of Richmond placed #23 among the best accounting schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $71,508. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $20,757 in student loans.
See the full accounting program report for University Of Richmond
Michigan State University earned the #24 position for accounting this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 153 accounting degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $65,965. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in accounting from Michigan State University
The College Of New Jersey earned the #25 position for accounting this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 accounting degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $74,403. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
Read more about the accounting program at The College Of New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Accounting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong accounting education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2085 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
