by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
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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.
Leading the list is Gadsden State Community College, our #1 best value for accounting in Alabama. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $34,710. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Alabama one of the best values for accounting. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $47,022. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Jefferson State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,083 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of West Alabama came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $31,894. Early-career accounting graduates make about $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes Troy University one of the best values for accounting. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Troy University earn a median of $54,969 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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Alabama State University landed the #6 spot for accounting value this year. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Accounting graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $49,549. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University At Montgomery placed #7 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $55,240. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jacksonville State University earned the #8 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $40,541. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University came in at #9 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Students borrow a median of $28,049 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,156. That is a strong return on a $28,049 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Alabama placed #10 among the best values for accounting. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $48,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $34,288. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $56,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Montevallo placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,096. Accounting graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $36,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Montevallo admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,751. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #14 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $53,452. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University placed #15 among the best values for accounting. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $65,059. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Samford University landed the #16 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Samford University earn a median of $63,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.