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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Accounting Schools in the The Plains States Region

102 Colleges in the United States
4,828 Accounting Degrees Awarded
$52,409 Avg Early-Career Salary

Accounting is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their accounting programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 216 schools to find the best for accounting students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Accounting in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Accounting

1

Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in accounting. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 accounting degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $68,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. See the full accounting program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for accounting. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 92 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $72,296 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,342 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in accounting, ranking #3. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 189 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their accounting degree from University Of Iowa earn around $66,046 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full accounting details for University Of Iowa

4

Students looking for a strong accounting program will find one at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 54 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,573. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the accounting program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

5

Students looking for a strong accounting program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 119 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $64,957 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $20,707 in student loans. See the full accounting program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

6

Creighton University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 83 accounting degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $68,070 in their early career. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $26,893 in student loans. More information about a degree in accounting from Creighton University

7
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #7 position for accounting this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Drake University earn around $65,922 in the first couple years of their career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at Drake University

8

Iowa State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 165 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Iowa State University earn around $61,567 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full accounting program report for Iowa State University

9
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #9 spot for accounting this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 199 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $58,789. Students borrow a median of $21,219 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Kansas

10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #10 spot for accounting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $58,966 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full accounting details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

11

Johnson County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. About 13 accounting degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. Typical student debt for the program is $13,532. Read more about the accounting program at Johnson County Community College

12

Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #12 position for accounting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 42 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $63,137 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete this degree. Read more about the accounting program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

13
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University landed the #13 spot for accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Saint Johns University graduates 75% of students within six years. Saint Johns University awarded about 62 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $61,135 in their early career. Saint Johns University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full accounting details for Saint Johns University

14

Metropolitan Community College Area placed #14 among the best accounting schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. There were roughly 69 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $45,583 in their early career. Metropolitan Community College Area graduates carry a median of $7,370 in student loans. More information about a degree in accounting from Metropolitan Community College Area

15

Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #15 spot for accounting this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Rochester Community And Technical College awarded about 16 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete this degree. Get the full accounting details for Rochester Community And Technical College

16

University Of North Dakota earned the #16 position for accounting this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 93 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $61,280 in their early career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at University Of North Dakota

17

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best accounting schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 120 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their accounting degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $62,038 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in accounting from Minnesota State University Mankato

18

University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #18 among the best accounting schools. This large public university is located in the city of Omaha. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. About 88 accounting degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $63,460. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. More information about a degree in accounting from University Of Nebraska At Omaha

19

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #19 spot for accounting this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 46 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $56,146 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,621. Read more about the accounting program at University Of Minnesota Duluth

20
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #20 for accounting this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 16 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Hamline University in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $48,679 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the accounting program at Hamline University

21

Kansas State University earned the #21 position for accounting this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 137 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $61,691. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the accounting program at Kansas State University

22

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #22 spot for accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 17 accounting degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Accounting graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $65,587 early in their careers. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at Bethel University Minnesota

23

University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #23 position for accounting this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 accounting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Accounting graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $59,567 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,350. Get the full accounting details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

24

Southeast Missouri State University placed #24 among the best accounting schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 35 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the accounting program make about $53,737 in their early career. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Read more about the accounting program at Southeast Missouri State University

25

Northwestern College Iowa earned the #25 position for accounting this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern College Iowa awarded about 12 accounting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. See the full accounting program report for Northwestern College Iowa

Rest of the Top 50 Accounting Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s accounting ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
33
34
35
36
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
37
38
39
40
41
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
42
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN
43
44
45
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
46
47
48
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN
49
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for accounting:

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 216 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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