Best Online Accounting Degree Programs

Budgets, taxes, and other money matters make many people’s heads spin, but not you. You’re a numbers person and that has you interested in an accounting-related field. The first step is earning your accounting bachelor’s degree. The great news is that with so many accredited, fully-online accounting programs out there today, earning that degree has never been more convenient.

We’ve identified three of the very best accounting bachelor’s degree online programs below to help you in your program search. All three schools help prepare you academically for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, which you’ll need to pass before becoming a fully licensed CPA. These spotlights preview our full online accounting degree rankings coming later this year, so be sure to check back.

Best Online Bachelors Degrees in Accounting for 2024

We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
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Select a StateAKALAZCODEFLILINKYLAMEMIMNMOMSNCNDNYOHOKORPASDTNTXVAVTWA
About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  Park University

  Parkville, MO

  Private not-for-profit $

  Park University offers a customizable accounting program. Students can select between a fully online or hybrid course of study for this bachelor’s degree. Plus,students can choose to earn their bachelor’s degree in four years or their bachelor’s and master’s in five years, with the latter option preparing them to sit for the CPA exam. Students also benefit from small class sizes and a rigorous accounting curriculum.

  Program Highlights:

  Accounting, B.S. or B.A.

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4-5 years
  • Cost: $550 per credit
  • Mode: Online or hybrid
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 2

  Western Illinois University

  Macomb, IL

  Public $

  The bachelor’s in accounting from Western Illinois University is a forerunner in the field, with a 94% employment rate three months after graduating. The curriculum consists of general business and accounting courses and specialized classes in a student’s chosen concentration, either taxation or management accounting. While there is a fully online option, students can also elect to take some courses on campus if preferred.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Business in Accountancy

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $428.26 per credit
  • Mode: Online or hyrbid
  • Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 3

  Cleary University

  Howell, MI

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Cleary offers one of the best accounting programs, especially for those who want to become certified accountants in Michigan. To graduate with a bachelor’s, students take 120 credits. Should students wish to sit for the CPA exam, they take 150 credits and get a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. No matter which option a student chooses, 100% of the degree can be completed online.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Business Administration, Public Accounting

  • Credits: 120-150
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $10,815 per semester
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 4

  Southeastern Oklahoma State University

  Durant, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 5

  University of Maine at Augusta

  Augusta, ME

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 6

  The University of Texas Permian Basin

  Odessa, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 7

  Maryville University of Saint Louis

  Saint Louis, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 8

  Fayetteville State University

  Fayetteville, NC

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 9

  Texas A&M University-Central Texas

  Killeen, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 10

  Saint Leo University

  Saint Leo, FL

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 11

  University of South Florida

  Tampa, FL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  22/1

• 12

  Lindenwood University

  Saint Charles, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 13

  Northern Vermont University

  Johnson, VT

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

• 14

  Davenport University

  Grand Rapids, MI

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 15

  Eastern Oregon University

  La Grande, OR

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 16

  University of Arizona

  Tucson, AZ

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 17

  Liberty University

  Lynchburg, VA

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 18

  Husson University

  Bangor, ME

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 19

  University of Houston-Victoria

  Victoria, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 20

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  Birmingham, AL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 21

  University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  Greensboro, NC

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 22

  Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

  Carbondale, IL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

• 23

  University of Alaska Fairbanks

  Fairbanks, AK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 24

  Temple University

  Philadelphia, PA

  Public $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 25

  Regent University

  Virginia Beach, VA

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 26

  Mid-America Christian University

  Oklahoma City, OK

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 27

  Midway University

  Midway, KY

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 28

  University of Sioux Falls

  Sioux Falls, SD

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 29

  University of Minnesota-Crookston

  Crookston, MN

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 30

  SUNY College at Plattsburgh

  Plattsburgh, NY

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 31

  Mississippi College

  Clinton, MS

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 32

  University of Mount Olive

  Mount Olive, NC

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 33

  Northwest Missouri State University

  Maryville, MO

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 34

  Columbia College

  Columbia, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 35

  Old Dominion University

  Norfolk, VA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 36

  Dickinson State University

  Dickinson, ND

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 37

  Colorado Christian University

  Lakewood, CO

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 38

  Southwestern Assemblies of God University

  Waxahachie, TX

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 39

  Northwestern State University of Louisiana

  Natchitoches, LA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 40

  University of Toledo

  Toledo, OH

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 41

  Delaware State University

  Dover, DE

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 42

  Northern State University

  Aberdeen, SD

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 43

  Clarion University of Pennsylvania

  Clarion, PA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 44

  Indiana State University

  Terre Haute, IN

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 45

  Mayville State University

  Mayville, ND

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 46

  University of Louisville

  Louisville, KY

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 47

  Wilmington University

  New Castle, DE

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 48

  University of Memphis

  Memphis, TN

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 49

  Utica University

  Utica, NY

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 50

  Central Washington University

  Ellensburg, WA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

What You’ll Learn in an Online Accounting Degree Program

Most students earn accounting degrees to practice as professional accountants. Your online accounting program helps prepare you for taking the CPA exam, but it also helps you master the fundamentals of business, exposing you to concepts in management, economics, and, of course, math. 

While undergraduate accounting degree curriculums vary, below are the types of classes you can expect in most programs. The focus here is on accounting-related coursework but remember that your program will also include substantial general education coursework in the humanities, social and natural sciences, and communication.

Admissions: Getting into a Top-Ranked Online Accounting Program

In most cases, applicants to accounting bachelor’s degree online programs are only required to meet the school’s general undergraduate admissions requirements. There are typically no additional requirements specific to bachelor accounting programs. With that in mind, here is a brief look at the requirements you’ll likely need to meet:

• High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) with international students considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Prerequisite high school coursework with most programs also including an additional requirement that applicants have completed coursework in specific subjects while in high school. For example, applicants to undergraduate programs at Indiana State University must have completed the Indiana Core 40 high school curriculum or the equivalent for non-Indiana graduates. Other schools, like Arizona State University and the University of Toledo, provide a specific list of high school course subjects that must have been completed to be admitted.
• Minimum GPA with most colleges also requiring that new college students meet a stated minimum grade point average for either their entire high school studies or for the specific prerequisite high school coursework. Transfer students must meet GPA minimums for their previously completed college coursework. Minimums vary by school, typically 2.5 to 3.0.
• SAT/ACT scores that meet given minimums, which vary by program, either in addition to all other requirements or as an alternative to meeting the minimum GPA.

Remember, these are requirements like those for most online accounting programs. Requirements do vary from program to program, so it’s critical that you gain a full understanding of the specific requirements for any program you’re considering before you apply.

Paying for Your Online Accounting Degree: Costs and Financial Aid

Whether you’re studying online or on-campus, a college education is an expensive undertaking. So, it’s important you have a clear and detailed understanding of what your costs are before beginning any degree program. The total costs of accounting bachelor’s degree online programs vary, sometimes substantially. These cost variances are due to several factors, most notably whether your school is public or private, and, specific to public schools, whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student. Also, your total cost can be significantly impacted by the number of college credits you transfer into your accounting degree program. With all that in mind, your total degree cost (assuming 120 total credits and including tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc.) will likely be $35,000 to $70,000. 

The chart below lists current tuition costs for five accounting bachelor’s degree online programs. Along with the rates given in the spotlights above, these figures give you a better idea of how much online accounting degree programs cost.

If the program costs above have you a bit rattled, don’t worry. Online accounting programs are eligible for the full range of financial aid resources available to most undergraduate degree students. These include scholarships and grants, employer reimbursement programs, VA benefits for active military and veterans, and student loans, especially those available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid program.

Many schools, including Davenport University and Indiana State University, offer in-house scholarships for new and transfer undergraduate students, some exclusively for accounting students. Regardless of the online accounting program you’re interested in, contact the school’s financial aid office to find out about the funding opportunities available. For more on how to pay for your college education, visit our financial aid guide.

FAQs About Earning Your Accounting Bachelor’s Degree Online

• Are online accounting degree programs offered 100% online?

  Yes. In fact, you’ll find that most online accounting programs on the bachelor’s degree level are offered 100% online with, in most cases, no campus visits of any kind required. That doesn’t mean you won’t have opportunities to go to campus if you want. For example, schools offering both online and on-campus accounting bachelor’s programs often provide online students the option of attending some on-campus classes.

• What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in accounting?

  An online accounting degree can prepare you to become a Certified Public Accountant and work for practically any kind of business you can think of. CPAs also find employment with nonprofit organizations and in government. And, of course, you can go into private accounting practice on your own. All are options you’re probably aware of. But what you might not know is that an accounting bachelor’s degree can also be a great launching pad for careers throughout the business and finance worlds as well, including positions in administration and management. To give you just a hint of the careers your degree prepares you for, here are five common job titles for undergraduate accounting graduates.

  • Banking Examiner
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Corporate Controller
  • Financial Manager
  • Senior Accountant

• Will a bachelor’s degree in accounting prepare me to become a CPA?

  If you’ve been reading up to this point, you know that earning a bachelor’s in accounting prepares you to become a CPA. But it’s important to understand that obtaining your CPA license requires more than your degree. Except for the U.S. Virgin Islands, all U.S. states and territories require a minimum of 150 semester hours of college coursework, including some graduate-level courses, to qualify for CPA licensure. You also need substantial practice experience in the accounting field, typically one to two years. Specific licensure requirements vary by state, so it’s important to learn about the requirements you’ll need to fulfill based on your state or territory.

• Is earning an accounting degree worth it?

  If your goal is to become a CPA and you do not have another bachelor’s degree, then a bachelor’s degree in accounting is a great way to go. You’ll have to earn some additional college credits to meet the 150 semester hours minimum required for CPA licensure, but an accounting bachelor’s is likely the most time- and cost-efficient way to get started. There are, however, other reasons why earning a bachelor’s in accounting may be worth the time and effort. They include higher salaries, expanded job options, and greater upward mobility in your business career.

• What accreditation should I look for in an accounting degree program?

  There are two types of accreditations to look for when choosing your online accounting degree program. The first type is institutional accreditation, which concerns the quality of academic institutions taken as a whole. Institutional accreditation of U.S. colleges and universities is administered by several independent national and regional accrediting agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The second type of accreditation is programmatic accreditation. There are two accreditors of accounting academic programs in the U.S., the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and the Accreditation Council for Business School Programs (ACBSP). You can confirm AACSB and ACBSP accreditation by using the program search engines on the accreditors’ websites.

• How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting?

  The timeline for bachelor’s in accounting degree programs is like that for most bachelor’s programs in that they typically require four years of full-time study. It’s not unusual for accounting students – particularly those in online asynchronous formatted programs – to compress that timeline by transferring in previously-earned college credits. You may also be able to extend your degree completion time through part-time study but be sure to check with the program you’re considering before enrolling to see if part-time study is an option.

Employment Outlook for Accounting Bachelor’s Degree Holders

If graduating with an online accounting degree is your goal, you’re looking at a future characterized by great employment opportunities, solid salaries, and job security. Just how lucrative depends on the specific position, but according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for accountants and auditors in the U.S. is $77,250. That’s over $30,000 more per year than the median salary for all occupations combined. Below are recent BLS salary and job growth figures for five occupations often filled by graduates of online accounting programs.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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