by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for accounting in Michigan. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $11,499 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $11,499 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #4 place for accounting. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,496. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $40,424. Set against $21,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #5 place for accounting. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Kellogg Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Schoolcraft College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,862. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe County Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Monroe County Community College generally make around $47,729. Set against $16,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $13,746 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,989. That is a strong return on a $13,746 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,820. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,892. That is a strong return on a $20,820 median debt.
Jackson Community College placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $35,538 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $63,623. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
St Clair County Community College earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $45,735. Set against $16,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University came in at #16 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,500. Accounting graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $63,543 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #17 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,838 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,359. Set against $25,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lake Michigan College came in at #18 for value in accounting this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,445, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,473. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lake Michigan College generally make around $50,185. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $30,899. Early-career accounting graduates make about $63,750. Set against $30,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $21,504 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $61,148 early in their careers. Set against $21,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,243. Early-career accounting graduates make about $53,416. Set against $25,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #22 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Accounting graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $62,430. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #23 among the best values for accounting. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $59,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Baker College Of Flint earned the #24 position for value in accounting this year. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,312 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $41,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #25 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $24,771 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $61,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.