25 Best Associate in Accounting Schools 2020
The 25 schools on this list are the best options for students looking for an associate in accounting degree based on median entry-level salaries and median debt. The top school is Southern New Hampshire University Online which offers an Associate of Science in Accounting. Alumni of this program at Southern New Hampshire University earned a median salary of $39,000 in their first year after graduation.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Associate in Accounting degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a 60-credit online Associate of Science in Accounting program. The program curriculum provides students with a thorough education in accounting with coursework in economics, statistics, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), tax regulations, financial statements, and record-keeping. Students also receive instruction in basic business concepts and practices, including business law, ethics, and marketing. The online accounting program at SNHU is fully accredited by several accrediting bodies, including the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Graduates of the accounting program at SNHU can go on to become bookkeepers, billing clerks, payroll clerks, and accounting assistants. The curriculum in accounting also provides the foundation for those intending to further their education with a bachelor’s degree in the field. The skills taught in the associate degree program at SNHU can lay the groundwork for a career in higher-level accounting, including the role of a certified management accountant or a certified public accountant.
The accounting program available at the American Public University grants students an Associate of Science in Accounting upon completion. Students gain a foundation in accounting and finance, in addition to an introduction to business basics. This 60-credit program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and has been designed in consultation with industry business leaders.
Students in the accounting program at APU receive extensive instruction in accounting, finance, and calculus, as well as the basics of business law and ethics. Graduates are prepared for entry-level jobs in bookkeeping and accounting and can go on to pursue a variety of careers in business and accounting.
The Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Technology from North Hennepin College provides students the opportunity to pursue a career in accounting and finance. The college also offers an associate degree in accounting, a program suitable for those intending to further their education with a bachelor’s degree. The accounting technology program, however, is tailored to students who intend to begin careers directly upon completing the associate degree. This 60-credit program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The accounting technology program gives students a foundation in business education, with coursework in principles of management and marketing. This foundation aids students in subsequent accounting coursework, including managerial accounting and small business payroll. North Hennepin College recognizes the role technology plays in modern accounting and includes instruction on accounting software such as Excel and Quickbooks in its accounting technology curriculum.
Hennepin Technical College offers a 60-credit associate degree program in accounting. Hennepin’s curriculum provides a well-rounded education in accounting, finance, and business basics with coursework in income tax, auditing, profit and loss, and record-keeping with Quickbooks. Graduates of the degree program often go on to work in financial institutions, small businesses, or accounting firms in the role of a bookkeeper, payroll clerk, tax preparer, or staff accountant. In addition to the Associate of Applied Science degree suited for students planning to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, Hennepin offers an Associate of Science designed for those intending to further their education with a bachelor’s degree.
Accounting courses are offered both day and evening at the Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota campuses, and some coursework may be completed online. Both the Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Milwaukee Area Technical College offers an associate degree in accounting that can be completed on-campus at one of three campus locations or online. This two-year program has two start dates, August and January, which provides additional flexibility to prospective students. Learning outcomes are focused on skills necessary for success in the accounting field such as payroll preparation and financial analysis and reporting.
The 60 required credits consist of technical studies and general studies. Technical courses include Income Taxation, Accounting Software Applications, Legal Environment of Business, and Forensic Accounting. Students will learn about accounting in both the private and public sectors, as well as technologies used by accountants. In addition to technical coursework, students will need to complete a variety of general studies classes such as Economics, Communication Skills, and Psychology of Human Relations.