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 62 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.
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat Atlanta Technical College this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for accounting. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $8,492. Early-career accounting graduates make about $39,265. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $5,812. Early-career accounting graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,718. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $47,076. That is a strong return on a $12,718 median debt.
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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #6 for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,616. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #8 for value in accounting this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Accounting graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $28,346 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Accounting graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $26,968 early in their careers. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Albany Technical College landed the #11 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Dalton State College came in at #13 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $51,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lanier Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $37,936. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Athens Technical College landed the #16 spot for accounting value this year. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College placed #18 among the best values for accounting. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt.
Augusta Technical College came in at #19 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,400. Early-career accounting graduates make about $41,892. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
University Of North Georgia landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College came in at #21 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,404, with out-of-state students paying around $5,954. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,716 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Georgia Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $42,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia placed #22 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $64,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Valdosta State University landed the #23 spot for accounting value this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,419. Accounting graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $55,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Gwinnett Technical College earned the #24 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,919 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $40,820 early in their careers. Set against $17,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clayton State University came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $45,375. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,756. Set against $45,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
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This list is compiled 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.