by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Montgomery County Community College the best value for a degree in accounting in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,254. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,832. That is a strong return on a $19,254 median debt.
Reading Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $37,297. Set against $14,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,732 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,732 median debt.
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Northampton County Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $32,407. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #8 for value in accounting this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Luzerne County Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,614. Accounting graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,527 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,601. Set against $26,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #11 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University came in at #12 for value in accounting this year. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $47,059. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earned the #14 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,770, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,299. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Bradford generally make around $57,966. Set against $25,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #16 among the best values for accounting. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,299 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $57,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Peirce College earned the #18 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,060. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $44,631. Early-career accounting graduates make about $53,071. That is a strong return on a $44,631 median debt.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Set against $26,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,590 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $56,583. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Francis University landed the #22 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $49,800. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University earned the #24 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $63,243. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Westminster College Pa placed #25 among the best values for accounting. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,290. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,638 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $52,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.