by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 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.
Essex County College earned the #1 spot for value among accounting schools in New Jersey. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $29,026. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Hudson County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $28,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Union County College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,218 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,218 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sussex County Community College earned it the #5 place for accounting. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
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Montclair State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,500. Accounting graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $56,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
New Jersey City University came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,378 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $52,920. That is a strong return on a $22,378 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saint Peters College placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $40,562. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kean University landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $46,386. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $60,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $45,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #12 for value in accounting this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $72,779. Set against $22,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #13 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $72,779. That is a strong return on a $22,770 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #14 for value in accounting this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $68,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,489. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,363. Set against $24,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #17 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $22,770 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $72,779 early in their careers. Set against $22,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Caldwell College earned the #18 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,848. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $48,400. That is a strong return on a $26,188 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #19 among the best values for accounting. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,000. Accounting graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $60,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,536. Early-career accounting graduates make about $70,750. That is a strong return on a $25,536 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $74,403. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Seton Hall University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $75,093. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
