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 14 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.
Mitchell Technical Institute earned the #1 spot for value among accounting schools in South Dakota. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,475. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Black Hills State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,820. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,789. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Southeast Technical Institute one of the best values for accounting. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,746. Accounting graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $44,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Northern State University one of the best values for accounting. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Accounting graduates carry a median of $29,816 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $51,239. That is a strong return on a $29,816 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of South Dakota came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,793. Accounting graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $59,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Sioux Falls placed #6 among the best values for accounting. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $21,750. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,325. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.