by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where accounting graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Where you study accounting affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Accounting Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose accounting degrees pay off the most.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Highest Paid Accounting Graduates list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools whose accounting graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the top school for accounting graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Georgetown University make a median of around $165,279 per year.
Macomb Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of about $67,314 a year early in their careers.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of Maryland Baltimore County make a median of around $77,731 per year.
Pepperdine University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Pepperdine University typically earn about $104,343 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at American University earned it the #5 place for accounting. American University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from American University typically earn about $104,304 annually.
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Prince Georges Community College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College typically earn about $65,648 annually.
St Francis College earned the #7 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. St Francis College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Accounting graduates of St Francis College earn a median of about $102,947 a year early in their careers.
Mercer University landed the #8 spot for accounting salaries this year. Mercer University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $98,559.
University Of Miami placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of Miami typically earn about $97,421 annually.
Cerritos College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a public institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,506.
Santa Clara University earned the #11 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Early-career accounting graduates from Santa Clara University make a median of around $123,065 per year.
Boston College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $122,243.
Bucknell University earned the #13 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Accounting graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of about $121,826 a year early in their careers.
Normandale Community College came in at #14 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Normandale Community College typically earn about $62,222 annually.
Lehigh University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $118,286.
Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #16 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,989.
Villanova University earned the #17 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Villanova University typically earn about $114,801 annually.
Austin Community College District came in at #18 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Austin Community College District make a median of around $92,581 per year.
Trinity University landed the #19 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Trinity University typically earn about $92,279 annually.
Washington And Lee University earned the #20 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $106,739.
American River College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from American River College make a median of around $61,406 per year.
Howard University landed the #22 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Howard University earn a median of about $89,996 a year early in their careers.
University Of Notre Dame placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students who complete the accounting program here go on to a median salary of roughly $109,595.
Salve Regina University came in at #24 for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Salve Regina University make a median of around $88,826 per year.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #25 spot for accounting salaries this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the suburb of West Chester. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $88,795 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning accounting graduates:
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The following schools rounded out the strongest accounting earnings:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries accounting graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.