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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Accounting Master’s Degree Schools

334 Colleges in the United States
$23,757 Avg Student Debt
$59,712 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Accounting Master's Degree Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2085 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Accounting Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in accounting in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $73,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,070 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $69,217. That is a strong return on a $11,070 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,313. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $70,375. Set against $11,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

5

California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $77,276. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,003 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $65,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

7

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,620 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $42,862. Set against $13,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

8

Cuny Lehman College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,030. Early-career accounting graduates make about $70,282. That is a strong return on a $13,030 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

9

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #9 for value in accounting this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,106 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $54,813. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

10

California State University Northridge landed the #10 spot for accounting value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,810. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

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Texas A And M International University placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $35,528. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

12

California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,899 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $80,238. Set against $14,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

13

Florida Atlantic University earned the #13 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Accounting graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $71,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

14

California State University San Bernardino landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,500. Accounting graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $59,480 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #15 among the best values for accounting. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,694. Accounting graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $58,463 early in their careers. Set against $13,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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16

Florida International University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,625. Early-career accounting graduates make about $70,524. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

17
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $52,425. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

18

Utah Valley University placed #18 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $65,720. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in accounting this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $59,756. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of West Florida came in at #20 for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,786. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $76,055. Set against $19,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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21

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,439. Accounting graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $67,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

22

Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,075. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $72,827. Set against $19,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Central Florida earned the #23 position for value in accounting this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,736. Early-career accounting graduates make about $67,669. That is a strong return on a $19,736 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

24

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $17,083 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $72,420. That is a strong return on a $17,083 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

25

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,159 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $63,885. Set against $18,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s accounting value ranking:

26
27
28
29
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Best Value Accounting Schools

The following schools rounded out the strongest accounting values:

Rank College Location
#51 University Of Guam Mangilao, GU Full Report

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for value in accounting:

Rank College Location
#52 University Of Houston Clear Lake Houston, TX Full Report
#53 The University Of Texas At El Paso El Paso, TX Full Report
#54 Universidad Metropolitana San Juan, PR Full Report
#55 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Full Report
#56 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Full Report
#57 University Of Mississippi Main Campus University, MS Full Report
#58 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA Full Report
#59 Universidad Del Este Carolina, PR Full Report
#60 Brigham Young University Provo Provo, UT Full Report
#61 Truman State University Kirksville, MO Full Report
#62 University Of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA Full Report
#63 Monroe College Main Campus Bronx, NY Full Report
#64 University Of Missouri St Louis Saint Louis, MO Full Report
#65 University Of Michigan Flint Flint, MI Full Report
#66 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Full Report
#67 Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN Full Report

Other Accounting Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Accounting rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Accounting
Associate's Degrees in Accounting
Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting
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View All Accounting Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2085 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 334 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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