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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat Snow College this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $60,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Latter Day Saints Business College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,004 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,630.
A rank of #5 makes Western Governors University one of the best values for accounting. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,489 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $64,819. That is a strong return on a $22,489 median debt.
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Southern Utah University earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah State University earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,026. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #8 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $63,551. That is a strong return on a $20,759 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #9 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $8,727 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $68,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,900. Early-career accounting graduates make about $50,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.