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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 37 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.
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat Colby Community College this year. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,853 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $55,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $59,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Johnson County Community College one of the best values for accounting. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #5 place for accounting. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $56,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Kansas earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,219. Early-career accounting graduates make about $58,789. Set against $21,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $50,472. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,407. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $37,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $61,691. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University placed #10 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $43,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Friends University placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,192. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $31,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $54,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Friends University admits about 55% of applicants.
Southwestern College placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Students borrow a median of $28,105 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of $58,036 early in their careers. Set against $28,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,500. Early-career accounting graduates make about $58,320. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.