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.
Mid South Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools in Arkansas. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $35,035. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Black River Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,420 median debt.
South Arkansas Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,386 in student loans. Accounting graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Arkansas Tech University landed the #6 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,257. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,351. Early-career accounting graduates make about $58,152. That is a strong return on a $21,351 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Students borrow a median of $14,848 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $40,138. Set against $14,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. Students borrow a median of $25,316 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $58,845 early in their careers. Set against $25,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Grantham University landed the #10 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of LIttle Rock, Grantham University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,520. Students borrow a median of $46,108 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Grantham University earn a median of $48,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #11 among the best values for accounting. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,500. Early-career accounting graduates make about $57,484. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,234. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,131. That is a strong return on a $23,234 median debt.
University Of Arkansas placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,914 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $61,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Harding University placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,962. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $58,649. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
Ouachita Baptist University came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $34,500. Students borrow a median of $23,520 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $35,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.