Our Students Before Profits Award was created to promote nonprofit colleges and universities offering online degree programs that put students before profits and education before the bottom line.
For our Online Masters in Accounting award winners, we selected online programs from accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities with objectively lower than average tuition cost and have ranked the programs according to their affordability.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting, and auditing jobs are expected to grow 16% by 2020 which is a faster than average growth rate. Additionally, business environments are dramatically changing driven by factors such as increased regulation, complexity and competitiveness of the business climate, and the move towards an increasingly global economy. This means that finance and accounting professionals with graduate training will only be in increasingly high demand in the coming years.
The Master in Accounting is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge in finance and accounting necessary to fill a wide variety of upper-level positions. The degree will provide professionals with the necessary educational requirements to gain licensure as a Certified Public Accountant in most states. The degree will also provide a base of business knowledge applicable to a number of other career trajectories in business.
Though this ranking is primarily concerned with the affordability of Accounting programs, many programs here have consistently been ranked among the top of their kind by other national publications and we believe they deserve to be considered among the best online master’s in accounting programs available.
Note that tuition rates listed below are based on cost per credit and individual programs may have additional fees.
Ranking the Best Online Masters in Accounting Programs
#1. University of South Dakota
Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, USD is a public research university that is consistently rated among the top doctoral institutions in the country. The University of South Dakota was established in 1862 making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the Dakotas. The University of South Dakota is comprised of seven colleges and offers 205 undergraduate programs and 65 graduate programs of study, and enrolls over 10,200 students. U.S. News ranks the University of South Dakota #190 in Best National Universities and #108 in Top Public Schools.
Online Masters in Accounting
The University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business offers an online Master of Professional Accountancy designed to provide specialized training in accounting and related fields. The program provides those wishing to prepare for a career in public accounting the required 150 credit requirement to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam. This program will help students to develop judgemental ability relating to the production and use of accounting information and assist in the development of professional competence in accounting and related financial fields. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: The University of South Dakota is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $12,450
#2. Gardner-Webb University
Gardner Webb University is a private uniersity affliliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and is located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. GWU was founded in 1909 by the Kings Mountain baptist Association. The School enrolls over 5,000 students in nearly 60 areas of study. GWU’s online offerings have won multiple awards. U.S. News ranks Gardner Webb #34 in Best Regional Universities (South).
Online Masters in Accounting
The online Master of Accountancy program at Garner-Webb University is a flexible master’s degree which provides for the creation of several career-specific degree tracks including general accounting, tax, and forensic accounting. The program will prepare students for careers in accounting and to advance within their current financial related careers through advanced training in specific areas built on a broad understanding of accounting and business. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits of graduate level coursework for completion.
Accreditation: Gardner Webb University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $12,780
#3. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public research university with campuses in Marcy, Utica-Rome, and Albany New York and is part of the State University of New York System. SUNY Polytechnic enrolls over 3,000 students in over 30 bachelor’s and associate’s degrees, 15 master’s degress and three doctoral degrees. SUNY Polytechnic is a leader in high-tech learning environments and is on the cutting edge of technological study.
Online Masters in Accounting
The online Master of Accountancy program offered by SUNY Polytechnic is available as a full-time or part-time program of study and is designed to allow students to pursue their professional interests and satisfy the 150 credit requirement for certification as a CPA. Students graduating from this program will be equipped to advance their careers in a wide range of profesional accounting areas including public accounting, corporate accounting, not-for-profit accounting, and goverment accounting. This program requires a minimum of 33 credits for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: SUNY is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on HIgher Education.
Tuition: $14,256
#4. Baker College
Established in 1911 in Flint Township, Michigan, Baker College is Michigan’s largest private, not-for-profit university with 13 locations statewide and an online campus. The college is a four-year vocational school that aims to impart job-specific training to its students while emphasizing broad academic development.
Online Masters in Accounting
Baker College offers an online Master of Business Administration in Accounting designed for managers with undergraduate accounting degrees who wish to advance in their career. The program gives a well-rounded business education with a focus on imparting an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and practical concepts of accounting. Approximately 35 credits at minimum are required for graduation from this program.
Accreditation: Baker College is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and School. It’s business programs are recognized through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Tuition: $14,525
#5. University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private Jesuit university founded in 1888 and located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The University of Scranton is one of 28 schools that are part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Scranton enrolls over 6,000 students in programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. The University of Scranton has been recognized by multiple national publications including the Princeton Review, Kaplan’s Publishing, U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek.
Online Masters in Accounting
The University of Scranton’s online Master of Accountancy program was designed to equip finance and accounting professionals with practical, hands-on skills they need to become influential and strategic business leaders, as well as the soft skills and communication proficiencies needed to manage teams and client relationships. The program will prepare students to take the CPA exam to become Certified Public Accountants. 30 credits minimum are required for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: The University of Scranton is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Business programs are recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Tuition: $14,550
#6. Shorter University
Shorter University is a private liberatl arts university located in Rome, georgia. Shorter was founded in 1873 as a Baptist University affliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention and maintains affiliattion with the convention despite attempts to break ties. The school enrolls over 3,500 students in programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Online Masters in Accounting
Shorter Universitiy’s online Master of Accountancy program is designed to provide professional preparation for the accounting industry. The program will get students to the minimum of requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination and will equip them with the necessary analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills needed to fill advanced accounting and related positions. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Shorter University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $15,000
#7. Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private Christian university founded in 1920 by the Wesleyan Church Denomination. The University has a total enrollment of over 15,000 students, a large portion of which are enrolled in IWU’s many online degree program. U.S. News ranks Indiana Wesleyan University at #17 in Regional Universities (Midwest) and #6 in Best Value Schools.
Online Masters in Accounting
Indiana Wesleyan University’s online Master of Science in Accounting degree program is designed to help students integrate knowledge of accounting standards and practices in performing forensic accounting and auditing services, financial reporting and tax preparation and advisory services. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: IWU is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $15,450
#8. Bellevue University
Established in 1966 and based in Bellevue, Nebraska, Bellevue University is one of the largest private higher learning institutions in the state, enrolling over 10,000 students. The university’s mission has always been directed toward providing education for working adults.
Online Masters in Accounting
Bellevue University’s online Master of Science in Accounting program will equip students with a solid understanding of advanced technical accounting knowledge, strong analytical skills, and exceptional communication skills needed to advance their career in accounting and related financial fields. Students can specialize their program of study by choosing a finance and/or tax concentration. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits or completion and is meant to satisfy the 150 hour requirement for the CPA examination.
Accreditation
Bellevue College is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Bachelor of Science in Accounting has been accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Tuition: $15,450
#9. Liberty University
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University was founded as Lynchburg Baptist College in 1971 by the Reverend Jerry Falwell. It has long been considered a Christian academic community, the institution’s stated intention being the development of both the intellectual and spiritual nature. Enrolling well over 100,000 students, the majority of which are enrolled online, LU is the largest Evangelical Christian University in the world and the largest private nonprofit university in the nation. Liberty University ranks #80 by U.S. News in best Regional Universities (South).
Online Masters in Accounting
Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Accounting offers students the opportunitiy to succeed in the business of accounting. Students will develop exceptional written and oral competencies within the unique field of accounting, while also becoming familiar with up-to-date research approaches focused on accounting, auditing, and taxation. Comprehensive education of national and international accounting practices serve to increase computer literacy, analytical reasoning skills and application of course materials relevant to professional accounting. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion and will satisfy the requirements needed to sit for the CPA exam.
Accreditation: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $15,600
#10. Saint Joseph’s College
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912, Saint Joseph’s College is a Catholic liberal arts college in Standish, Maine. Saint Joseph’s College Online offers graduate and undergraduate programs to more than 2,500 students which is more than double the student body enrolled on-campus. Saint Joseph’s ranked 81 on U.S. News Best Colleges ranking for Best Regional Universities (North).
Online Masters in Accounting
The online Master of Accountancy degree program offered by Saint Joseph’s College is intended to prepare people with an undergraduate degree in business, or those who have successfully completed the equivalent undergraduate foundation in business, for a career in the public accounting profession. This program prepares future CPAs to exercise their develpoed technical competence and interpersonal skills with integrity. The program requires 36 credits for completion and includes coursework in Ethics, Leadership, and Accounting. Upon completing this program, students will satisfy the 150 hour requirement to sit for the CPA examination.
Accreditation: Saint Joseph’s College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools. The programs in nursing are recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CNURED).
Tution: $17,100
#11. Northeastern University
Classified as a four-year private co-educational institution, and located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University was founded in 1898 as a training institute for Boston’s growing immigrant population. In its early years it was based at the Huntington Avenue YMCA and offered classes in engineering, finance and law. Within four decades, the school had expanded significantly, thus leading to the adoption of its current name. Northeastern University offers many online programs. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies Northeastern University as an institution with high research activity.
Online Masters in Accounting
Northeastern University’s online Master of Science in Finance and Accounting program is designed to build on and expand the student’s knowledge and skills in wide range of possible finance related careers. The program is a challenging 16-month program that offers the convienece and flexibility of online study while allowing the student to log on anytime, and interact one-on-one with instructors and classmates. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Northeastern University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools. The online Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Tuition: $17,820
#12. University of Massachusetts–Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell, also known as UMass Lowell, was founded in 1972 as the product of the merging of two institutions charted in the late 1890’s: Lowell State College and Lowell Technical Institute. The university is renowned for its science and engineering programs, and in 2013 the online campus was ranked sixth in the nation in the “Guide to Online Schools.”
Online Masters in Accounting
The online Master of Science in Accounting program offered by UMass Lowell is designed for individuals who want to meet the licensing requirements to become Certified Public Accountants, or to prepare for accounting careers in the corporate or government/nonprofit environment. The program can be completed on a part-time basis and the asynchronous format allows students in distant areas or with irregular work schedules to take courses at their convienece. The program requires 30 credits minimum for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: The University of Massachusetts Lowell is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $18,000
#13. Southwestern College
Founded in 1885, Southwestern College is a private Methodist institution located in Winfield, Kansas. Ranked #83 of Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S News & World Report, the school offers online programs through its professional studies programs in addition to its on-campus programs.
Online Masters in Accounting
Southwestern College’s online Master of Accountancy program will help launch the student into more advanced positions within their accounting or finance related career in areas such as forensic accounting, auditing, tax preparation, preparing financial reporting for public and private companies, or the student may be working toward a controller or chief financial officer position. The curriculum focuses on essential skills including organizational budgeting, financial decision-making, and ethical reasoning. The program requires 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Southwestern College is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colles and Schools.
Tuition: $18,060
#14. Post University
Post University, located in Waterbury, Connecticut, since 1890, has a distinct reputation for its friendly, small college environment. With an undergraduate class size capped at 25, Post ensures instructors interact personally with students. Post’s Online program offerings are some of the most extensive in the nation. Students may pursue almost every Post degree online. For individuals facing time constraints, such as a full time job, the Accelerated Degree Program offers the opportunity to complete a degree or certificate in a relatively short period of time.
Online Masters in Accounting
Post University’s online Master of Science in Accounting degree provides students an opportunity to develop the graduate-level skills needed to advance and excel in the accounting profession and is centered on ehancing skills in business communication, client relationship management, business development, regulatory compliance, and professional standards and ethics. The program requires 30 credits of graduate level coursework for completion.
Accreditation: Post University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition: $18,750
#15. Franklin University
Franklin University is located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Other branch campuses are located in Beavercreek, Dublin, Delaware, Westerville, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, Franklin University offers degree programs with two international universities – the Wroclaw School of Banking in Wroclaw, Poland and St. Clement of Ohrid University in Bitola, Macedonia. The university was founded in 1902 under sponsorship of the YMCA in Columbus and acquired its current name in 1933.
Online Masters in Accounting
Franklin’s online Master of Science in Accounting program equips students to “see big-picture accounting systems and processes,” and is designed around the development of critical thinking, communicaition, and technological skills all used together to contribute to high-perforance organizations. Students will take courses in auditing, financial reporting, resource planning, forensic accounting, risk management and taxation. The program requires 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Franklin University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $18,750
#16. University of Maryland—University College
University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is a comprehensive virtual university, part of the University of Maryland international system. The college founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Aldelphi, Maryland and has campuses in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, Europe, and Asia. UMUC has frequently been recognized for excellence in online programs that cater to the working adult.
Masters in Accounting Online
The Master of Science in Management with concentration in Accounting degree program offered by the University of Maryland covers a broad range of accounting related studies especially in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, government and nonprofit accounting, auditing, taxation, information systems, and accounting policy. The program prepares students and satisfies the requirements for candidacy for Certified Public Accountant examination as well as for a number of entry, mid, and high-level positions in accounting and related fields. The program requires 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation
University of Maryland University College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Tuition
In-State: $13,740
Out-of-State: $19,770
#17. University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut, or UConn, is a public research university located in Storrs, Connecticut. The University was founded in 1881 as a Land and Sea Grant college and is a member of the Space Grant Consortium. The university has six campuses across the state of Connecticut and enrolls over 30,400 students in more than 100 majors, eight undergraduate degrees, 17 graduate degress and five professional degree programs. UConn is known for the quality of its online programs of study and is recognized by the United States Distance Learning Association for best practices in online learning.
Masters in Accounting Online
The Master of Science in Accounting program offered by UConn is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful professional career in public and private accounting. The program will equip qualified students with the educational requirements to become Certified Public Accountants in most states. UConn’s MSA curriculum is designed around issues relevant to today’s accounting professionals, rather than being driven by the content and structure of textbooks as are traditional courses. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: The University of Connecticut is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Accounting program is also recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Tuition: $22,500
#18. Southern New Hampshire University
Founded in 1933 as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Service, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university located between Manchester and Hookset, New Hampshire. The state granted the college its charter in 1963, and the first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in 1966. SNHU enrolls over 17,500 students. Its online campus boasts over 200 regionally accredited undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, and also has specialized accreditation for some its programs.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Science in Accounting offered by SNHU will give students the knowledge and skills to help them advance to high-level accounting and related financial positions. Graduates of this program will be prepared to become Certified Public Accountants, corporate accountants, auditors, or financial analysts. Graduates may also choose to use their in-depth knowledge of accounting principles in high-level positions in banking, taxation, insurance, or for any company with a financial division. SNHU allows students to further focus their studies in one of the following concentrations: Accounting/Auditing, Forensic Accounting, or Accounting/Taxation. The program requires anywhere from 36 to 51 credits for completion depending on the students background in business and undergraduate major.
Accreditation: Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Programs in business are addiitonally recognized by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Tuition: $22,572 — $31,977
#19. Western New England University
Western New England University is a private, nonprofit university located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Western New England University was founded in 1919 and recently achieved university status in 2011. The school enrolls over 3,800 students in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral programs through its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Law. The schools commitment to quality education and is evident in its instruction which is delivered entirely by university faculty not teaching assistants or graduate students.
Masters in Accounting Online
Western New England University’s online Master of Science in Accounting can be completed in just 15 months or as little as 10 months with an accelerated full-time option of study. The program will enable students to satisfy the requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant in many states and to develop the skills in planning, controlling, evaluation, and analysis that characterize a successful career in accounting. The program is challenging and will extend and refine the students knowledge of business and accounting through study, experimental exercises, and assessment performance. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Western New England University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The MSA program is also recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Tuition: $23,130
#20 Regis University
Formerly known as Regis College, Regis University is a private Jesuit university located in Denver, Colorado. Founded in Las Vegas in 1877 by a group of exiled Italian Jesuits, the school adopted the name Regis in 1921 in honor of John Francis Regis, a 17th-century Jesuit who worked with the poor in Southern France. Regis has a long history of charity and community service and has hosted Bill Clinton, Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams, and His Holiness, the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Science in Accounting degree program offered by Regis University has a strong foundation in ethics and focuses on the expanded knowledge base required in today’s business world. The program provides the necessary course work to meet the standard 150 credit hour requirements to sit for the CPA examination. Students will take courses in accounting techniques, ethics, and industry technologies and work with their program advisor to customize their degree plan to fit career goals and special interests. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Regis University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition: $23,400
#21. Stetson University
Stetson University is a private, nonprofit university located in Central Florida in the town of DeLand. The university was founded in 1883 as a Florida Baptist Convention affiliated school, but is now unaffiliated. The school enrolls over 4,100 students in a wide variety of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Stetson is consistently named by the Corporation for National and Community Service to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction for exemplary service initatives. In 2014 Stetson was one of only two universities in the country to earn the “With Distinction” recognition in every category of community Engagement.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accountancy degree program offered by Stetson University is designed to prepare students for a wide range of opportunities in accounting related fields. The program can be completed in as little as one year and features a curriculum that provides students with advanced education in acounting, information systems, and business law. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Stetson University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $23,520
#22. Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is a private, Roman Catholic university located in Saint Leo, Florida. The university was founded in 1889 and was the first Catholic college in Florida. Saint Leo is noted for having ended racial segregation on their campus in 1889 before it was legal to do so in Florida, and totally integrating their campus in the Deep South. The school is associated with the Holy Name monastery, a Benedictine convent, and Saint Leo Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. The university enrolls over 16,200 students and offer over 40 associate’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Masters in Accounting Online
Saint Leo University offers an online Master of Business Administration in Accounting degree which will provide an understanding of business fundamentals and accounting concepts in today’s fast-changing business environments. The curriculum includes courses that explore concepts of fund accounting for government, not-for-profit, and health care organizations, fraud examination, cost accounting, business law, financial statement analysis, and more. The program places a strong emphasis on leadership skill. A minimum of 36 credits are required for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: Saint Leo University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $24,228
#23. Edgewood College
Founded in 1927 with an enrollment of 12 women, Edgewood College is a Dominican Catholic college in Madison, Wisconsin enrolling over 2,000 students. The college has an undergraduate liberal arts curriculum with nursing, educational, and business tracks, an art therapy program, and master’s programs in business, education, nursing, marriage and family therapy, and sustainaibilty leadership. Edgewood is commiteed to the values of justice and compassion and seeks to instill these values in students toward the end of building a more just and compassionate world.
Masters in Accounting Online
Edgewood College offers an online Master of Accountancy to students who have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting or business finance. The rigorous curriculum of the program integrates critical thinking, real-world experience, and values-based management. Coursework is grounded in an ethical value system which will serve students throughout their careers and personal lives and provide a foundation for ethical leadership. Students will gain foundational knowledge in business communications, ethics, and law as well as advanced knowledge and skills in accounting. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Edgewood College is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and School.
Tuition: $25,080
#24. National University
Founded in 1971, National University is a private nonprofit university located in La Jolla, California and is the second largest private nonprofit institution of higher learning in the state as well as the 12th largest in the country. The university has satelite campuses located across California and in the states of Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Virginia. NU also maintains extensive online course and program offerings. The school currently enrolls over 24,400 students in over 130 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accountancy degree offered by National University is designed for students with little or no previous accounting background who have an undergraduate degree in any discipline, but it is not appropriate for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting. Course content is based largely on the published content specifications of the Uniform CPA Exam. The program will equips graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to take on a wide range of accounting related careers. A minimum of 63 quarter credits (42 semester credits) are required for graduation.
Accreditation: National University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $24,822
#25. Utica College
A private university located in Utica, New York, the Utica College began as an extension of Syracuse University in the 1930s. In 1946, the school became a four-year college, and in 1995 became a financially and legally independent institution. At its conception it was located in downtown Utica, but in the 1960s moved to its current 128-acre campus in the western part of the city. Well known for its health science education, Utica College is one of the leading institutions for physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Masters in Accounting Online
Utica College’s online Master of Business Administration in Professional Accountancy focused on professional practice and assurance. The program is geared towards students who have completed a bachelor’s degree program in accounting and will prepare students for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant as well as to take on high-level positions in a wide variety of accounting and finance related careers. The program features a core of business courses that cover topics in management, financial reporting and analysis, managerial economics, advanced financial management, and quantitative analysis. A minimum of 30 credits are required for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: Utica College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $25,650
#26. New England College
New England College is a private college in Henniker, New Hampshire with a campus occupying about 26 acres of land. It was founded in 1946 for World War II veterans supported by the GI Bill, and it now enrolls over 2,500 students in associate’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. It has been recognized as one of 311 “Green Colleges” by the Princeton Review.
Masters in Accounting Online
New England College’s online Master of Science in Accounting is designed to build knowledge in auditing, financial reporting, taxation, cost accounting and other critical topics in accounting. Strategic thinking, problem solving, and principles of leadershiop are also emphasized in an inter-disciplinary manner to encourage the development of the core competencies required by most states for the CPA examination. The program requires a minimum of 40 credits for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: New England College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition: $25,800
#27. Davenport University
Davenport University is a private, nonprofit university with twelve campuses in Michigan, with the main campus in Caledonia. It has four colleges: Technology, Health Professions, Arts & Sciences, and the Donald W. Maine College of Business. Davenport U Online has programs from all colleges except Arts & Sciences. Online students can pursue degrees at the associate, bachelor, and master levels.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Business Administration in Accounting offered by Davenport University provides advanced studies in financial accounting, auditing, and taxation and equips students with the knowledge of international accounting standards, and the ethical environment as well as technological, legal, and managerial issues for preparation in a dramatical changing business environment. This program is designed for students with undergraduate degress in business and non-business u ndergraduates making a career change. The program requires a minimum of 39 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Davenport University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $29,857
#28. Brenau University
Brenau University is a private, nonprofit university located in Gainesville, Georgia. The university was founded in 1878 and currently enrolls over 2,800 students throughout multiple campuses and in online programs. BU is ranked #43 in Best Regional Universities (South) by U.S. News.
Masters in Accounting Online
Brenau University offers an online Master of Business Administration in Accounting with concentrations in Public Accounting, and Management Accounting. The program provides adequate preparation for several professional accounting certifications or designations. The Public Accounting concentration is designed for students who are intending to take the CPA exam and practice in public accounting while the Management Accounting concentration is designed for students who want to practice in the area of management accounting in such postions as Chief Financial Officer, controller accounting manager, and small business accounting. The program requires 45 credits to complete the degree.
Accreditation: Brenau University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $26,730
#29. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atalntic University is a public university located in Boca Ranton, Florida and with five campuses across the state. The school is part of the Flordia State University System. FAU was founded in 1964 as a graduate level college and expanded to offers programs for undergraduate students in 1984. The university currently enrolls over 30,800 students and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an institution with high research activity.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accounting program offered by Florida Atlantic University is designed to prepare graduates for careers in public, industry, and government accounting. Students with or without an undergraduate degree in accounting can be admitted into the program. It emphasizes the building of skills necessary to succeed in the business community including teamwork, leadership and effective communicaiton. The program consists of a minimum of 30 credits of coursework in business and accounting theory and advanced skills.
Accreditation: FAU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition
In-State: $9,120
Out-of-State: $26,730
#30. Rider University
Founded in 1865 as a school for business and located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Rider University is one of the oldest private universities in the state of New Jersey. The school enrolls over 5,400 students Rider University offers over 65 academic majors and special programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as several specialist degrees.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Science in Accounting program at Rider University is specifically designed for current accounting professionals looking to advance their accounting knowledge, and gain access to higher level careers in public or private accounting fields, and fulfill the educational requirements for the CPA examination and licensing. Courses offered include Advanced Accounting, Auditing, and Business Law for Accountants. A minimum of 30 credits are required for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: Rider University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Rider University College of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Tuition: $28,200
#31. Texas A&M—Commerce
Texas A&M University—Commerce is a public research university located in Commerce, Texas and is the second largest university in the Texas A&M University System. The school was founded as a Normal College for the preparation of teachers in the region in 1889 and has since grown to a comprehensive research university enrolling over 12,300 students. In addition to the main campus, the university has satelite campuses in Dallas, Rockwall, and Mesquite Texas.
Masters in Accounting Online
Texas A&M University at Commerce offers an online Master of Science in Accounting suitable for those who want to continue from their undergraduate accounting degree and for those who have a lesser, or no, accounting background and will prepare students for careers in public, industry, or government accounting. The program allows students to customize their degree with accounting concentrations in Attestation, Personal Finance, Forensic Accounting, Taxation, or Professional Accounting. A minimum of 37 credits are required for completion of the program.
Accreditation: Texas A & M University—Commerce is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition
In-State: $15,392
Out-of-State: $28,786
#32. University of Alabama—Birmingham
The University of Alabama—Birmingham is a public university located in Birminham Alabama and is one of three universities in the University of Alabama System. The school was established in 1936 as an academic extension center and became an autonomous university in 1969. The university enrolls over 18,500 students and offers degree programs in over 140 areas of study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels as well as offering professional degrees.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accounting offered by the University of Alabama at Birmingham features a broad curriculum in: Accounting Principles, Basic Marketing, Business Communications, Business Foundations, Economic Fundamentals, Financial Management, Information Systems, Legal Issues, Management Processes, and Quantiative Analysis. The program of study at UAB is practice-oriented and designed for professionals with a knowledge base in accounting and business. The program prepares students to sit for the CPA exam as well as for advanced career placement in a wide variety of accounting and financial positions. A minimum of 30 credits are required for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: The University of Alabama at Birmingham is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Both the accounting and business programs at UAB have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for more than 30 years.
Tuition
In-State:$14,340
Out-of-State: $29,310
#33. University of Charleston
The University of Charleston is a private nonprofit university founded in 1888 by the Southern Methodist Church to train individuals for ministry. The school is located in Charleston, West Virginia and enrolls over 2,100 students. UC offers undergraduate and graduate programs of study in a variety of majors with several unique programs. The university employs an outcomes-based model of educations where students learn and master competencies in Citizenship, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Ethical Practice, and Science.
Masters in Accounting Online
The University of Charleston offers a Master of Forensic Accounting degree program available through hybrid online/face-to-face instruction. The program can be completed in 16 months with only eight campus visits. The program emphasizes practical application, with the goal of preparing students for career advancement in accounting and related financial fields, but with particular focus on the area of forensics. The program is structured around five 12 week modules (equivalent of 8 credits each) administered over the course of the 16 months of full-time study.
Accreditation: The University of Charleston is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $30,000
#34. University of the Southwest
University of the Southwest, located in New Mexico, is one of the best Christian colleges in the United States. The school, committed to helping students achieve their educational dreams, offers online students very affordable tuition rates and generous financial aid packages, the university is poised for rapid growth in the decades to come.
Masters in Accounting Online
University of the Southwest offers an online Master of Business Administration in Accounting designed for individuals seeking their CPA certification and a career in accountancy. The program can be completed in as little as 14 months and includes a strategic overview of accounting concepts, methodologies, and techniques aimed at providing students a competitive edge in the dynamic field of accounting. The program requires a minimum of 36 credits for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: University of the Southwest is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $30,600
#35. Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Tech is a private, non-profit university established in 1958 and located in Melbourne, Florida. FIT is recognized as a Tier 1, Best National University by U.S. News and World Report. Florida Tech enrolls over 9,000 students in degree programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels and has extensive online degree program offerings.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Business Administration in Accounting degree program offered by Flordia Institute of Technology provides the high-level knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of today’s complex, global business. The program is rooted in the case method approach and offers a uniquely collaborative, hands-on education involving the creation of fully integrated business plans brought to fruition through critical business concepts from statistics and managerial economics to marketing. Students actively engage in case study analysis and exercise leadership and teamwork skills through a combination of theoretical principles and practical application in business foundations. The program requires a minimum of 36 credits.
Accreditation: The Florida Institute of Technology is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $32,256
#36. Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University is a public university located in Cedar City, Utah and was founded in 1898. The university began as a school for the training of teachers in the region and has since grown to an enrollment of over 8,200 students. SUU offers more than 85 undergraduate degree programs and eight graduate programs and emphasizes a service learning component as a part of all academic programs which are geared toward meeting community needs.
Masters in Accounting Online
The School of Business at Southern Utah University offers an online Master of Accountancy degree program designed to satisfy the 150 hour requirement for Certified Public Accountant licensure. The graduate program provides a greater breadth and depth of knowledge for professional accountants to further develop their knowledge and skills. The program can be completed in as little as two semesters of full-time study and requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Southern Utah University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Tuition
In-State: $11,460
Out-of-State: $32,580
#37. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University’s main campus is situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A nonsectarian research university, NSU is the nation’s eighth-largest not-for-profit private university. Founded in the 1960s, the land occupied by the university was formerly a naval training airfield built during World War II. The campus also hosts the “University School of Nova Southeastern University”, a college preparatory school that serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. NSU’s online programs are in full compliance with the Southern Regional Education Board’s set of Principles of Good Practice for electronic campuses.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accounting degree offered by Nova Southeastern University features a curriculum designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of accounting professionals and prepare entry-level students for a career in accounting, allowing both to attain the CPA credentialing. All coursework can be completed online including the foundational course requirements for students with limited accounting experience. The program requires a minimum of 40 credits for completion of the degree.
Accreditation: Nova Southeastern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $33,240
#38. St. John’s University
St. John’s University of New York City has campuses in Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan, upstate in Oakdale, and overseas in Rome and most recently, Paris. The school was founded in 1870 by the Vincentian Brothers and was initially located in Brooklyn. The private, Roman Catholic, coed university was ranked as a Tier One university by US News & World Report’s 2011 college rankings. The school was named after Saint John the Baptist, and their original motto“a lamp burning and shining” – but in the original Greek – was a reference to the disciple.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Taxation degree programs offered by St. John’s University can be completed in as little as one year of full-time study and at the student’s own pace. The program focuses on equipping professionals with the much needed knowledge for competence in shifting business environments fueled by changing financial laws, corporate regulations, and greater scrutiny of company financials and more complex tax laws. These programs require betwen 31 and 33 credits for completion.
Accreditation: St. John’s University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $35,495-$37,785
#39. Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University is a private, nonsectarian, nonprofit university located in downtown San Francisco, California. The school was founded in 1901 and began out of literary reading groups of the San Francisco Central YMCA. It gained university status in 1972 and today has a strong emphasis on proving education to those seeking professional degrees in law, business, and accounting. The university enrolls over 5,300 students and offers two undergraduate degrees with eight concentrations and 15 graduate degrees with 24 concentrations.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accountancy program through Golden Gate University is intended to meet the needs of both career-changers with little experience or training in accounting and professionals who wish to further develop their expertise. Students can complete this program in as little as 12 months of fultime study. Students enrolled in the online program will have access to career counseling, mentoring, and professional development opportunities just as students enrolled in the in-person program. Graduates will meet the requirements to sit for the CPA examination and will be equipped with a range of skills, and knowledge essential to succeeding in accounting and related financial professions including revenue recognition, auditing, internal controls, ethics, and fraud. The program consists of 45 credits at minimum.
Accreditation: Golden Gate University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $37,890
#40. Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university designated as a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research center. Founded in 1856 “for the advancement of science and arts”, AU is located in Auburn, Alabama. The school was previously a private all-male institution affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in 1892 became the first coeducational four-year institution in the state of Alabama. Auburn University has been consistently listed as one of the top public universities by U.S. News and World Report, Academic Analytics, DesignIntelligence Magazine, and Peterson’s Guide to Colleges and Universities.
Masters in Accounting Online
The online Master of Accountancy degree program offered at Auburn University provides students additional technical skills, research and communication skills as well as focused preparation on passing the CPA examination. The coursework can be completed entirely online, but also requires a four and one-half day residency during the last spring semester of the program. The online course of study may be completed in as little as five semester of full-time study. The program is highly flexible according to the student’s career goals and interests with 18 credits of elective courses allowing the student to tailor the degree to their needs. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion.
Accreditation: Auburn University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: $42,390
