by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value accounting schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williston State College tops our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools in North Dakota. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,400. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,984. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Minot State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Dickinson State University, which ranked #3. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,321. Early-career accounting graduates make about $51,006. That is a strong return on a $27,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for accounting. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,600. Accounting graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,600 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,280. That is a strong return on a $24,780 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
