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2020 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree Programs

By the GradReports team | Updated 4/1/2020

These are the best 25 colleges that offer an online Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, based on median salary one year after graduation. With a median starting salary of $60,300, University of Massachusetts - Amherst outranks the other schools on the list. Thomas Edison State University offers the lowest median debt on the list, at $15,775. Starting median salaries for graduates from the top 25 schools range from $47,400-$60,300.

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.

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Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Rank School Location Annual Tuition Median Debt Median Salary
#1 #1 Amherst (MA) Amherst (MA) $38,171 $23,000 $60,300
#2 #2 New York (NY) New York (NY) $50,026 $26,000 $59,900
#3 #3 State College (PA) State College (PA) $38,651 $27,000 $56,200
#4 #4 Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others) Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others) $30,592 $17,875 $53,700
#5 #5 Trenton (NJ) Trenton (NJ) $9,556 $15,775 $53,500
#6 #6 Elizabethtown (PA) Elizabethtown (PA) $35,670 $27,000 $51,100
#7 #7 Fayetteville (AR) Fayetteville (AR) $27,410 $20,424 $50,800
#8 #8 Louisville (KY) Louisville (KY) $28,866 $18,902 $50,700
#9 #9 Greenwood Village (CO) Greenwood Village (CO) $8,400 $26,562 $50,400
#10 #10 Burlington (VT) Burlington (VT) $44,220 $25,000 $49,900
#11 #11 Philadelphia (PA) Philadelphia (PA) $35,608 $26,171 $49,800
#12 #12 St. Louis (MO) St. Louis (MO) $27,166 $25,642 $49,400
#13 #13 Parkville (MO) Parkville (MO) $12,671 $22,062 $49,300
#14 #14 Adelphi (MD) Adelphi (MD) $12,336 $22,560 $49,000
#15 #15 Denver (CO) Denver (CO) $42,220 $20,832 $48,900
#16 #16 Davenport (IA) Davenport (IA) $34,570 $24,812 $48,700
#17 #17 Minneapolis (MN) Minneapolis (MN) $14,328 $39,008 $48,700
#18 #18 Riverside (CA) Riverside (CA) $38,058 $31,000 $48,600
#19 #19 Midland (MI) Midland (MI) $31,600 $18,045 $48,400
#20 #20 Manchester (NH) Manchester (NH) $9,600 $22,634 $48,400
#21 #21 Auburn (AL) Auburn (AL) $32,960 $19,645 $48,100
#23 #23 Pullman (WA) Pullman (WA) $28,385 $21,631 $47,800
#24 #24 Toledo (OH) Toledo (OH) $21,380 $23,597 $47,400
#25 #25 Dudley (MA) Dudley (MA) $38,800 $27,000 $47,400

2020 Best Colleges Highlights

Learn more about the top colleges for a Bachelor's 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.

Median Salary $60,300
Median Debt $23,000
Annual Tuition $38,171
Graduation Rate 83%

Several online degree completion programs are available through the Isenberg School of Management at The University of Massachusetts Amherst. The AACSB-accredited school offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting. The 120-credit degree requires applicants to have completed a minimum of 27 transferable college credits. The flexible online format allows students to log in at their convenience while receiving the same education from the same instructors as their on-campus peers.

The program curriculum covers taxation, information systems, managerial accounting, and financial reporting to prepare graduates for a range of functions across the field of accounting. Students will need to complete 12 general education requirements, 21 credits of non-business electives, 11 core business courses, and nine accounting program courses.

Graduates may pursue employment opportunities as tax specialists, auditors, treasurers, controllers, or other accounting roles. The Isenberg School of Management offers its students access to a variety of resources to help them succeed. The Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship provides engagement and entrepreneur activities, such as innovation challenges, guest speakers, and accelerator programs designed to help launch promising new ventures. There is also a business communication center that offers speaking and writing assistance, and a career center to help students prepare for and find career opportunities.

Visit University of Massachusetts - Amherst's website.

#2
New York (NY)
Median Salary $59,900
Median Debt $26,000
Annual Tuition $50,026
Graduation Rate 61%

Pace University is an independent institution with campus locations in New York City and Westchester County. As part of their mission to provide quality education to students, they have expanded their offerings to include online education programs to meet the needs of distance learners. An online Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Studies with an Accounting and Internal Auditing concentration is available through the Lubin School of Business, which holds accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The 120-credit degree completion program requires applicants to have a minimum of 56 transferable college credits.

Distance learners will begin their program with a mandatory two-week online seminar that introduces them to the online learning environment. The remaining credits are earned through prior learning assessment (credits awarded for previous work and life experience) and/or coursework. Students completing the remaining credits through coursework will take 63 credits of required core courses, 29 credits of business core courses, 23 credits of accounting and internal auditing concentration courses, and one statistics course. Concentration courses include Cost Accounting, Internal Auditing, and Accounting Information Systems. Graduates should be able to use the appropriate tools to analyze data to optimize the financial operations of a company, prevent fraud, and respond to suspected threats.

Visit Pace University's website.

#3
State College (PA)
Median Salary $56,200
Median Debt $27,000
Annual Tuition $38,651
Graduation Rate 80%

Offering distance education for over 125 years, The Pennsylvania State University system established Penn State World Campus in 1998 to give non-traditional learners around the world access to quality education. Through a partnership with Penn State Harrisburg, World Campus offers an online AACSB–accredited Bachelor of Science in Accounting. The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the business environment and the role of accounting within the field. It also helps to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam or to pursue other certifications, including Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Graduates can choose to pursue certification, an advanced degree, or begin a career in the field.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 credits divided between required core courses, general education courses, and electives. The program explores a variety of business and accounting topics, including management, marketing, international business, financial accounting, auditing, and governmental and not-for-profit accounting. Graduates should demonstrate proficiency in accounting functions, understand the business environment, and be able to operate ethically and efficiently in an organization.

Visit Pennsylvania State University-World Campus's website.

#4
Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
Median Salary $53,700
Median Debt $17,875
Annual Tuition $30,592
Graduation Rate 66%

Arizona State University seeks to meet the needs of non-traditional students through its online platform, ASU Online. An online Bachelor of Arts in Business with a concentration in Corporate Accounting is among the degrees offered. The program is designed to prepare graduates for managerial accounting careers. The bachelor's degree requires a total of 120 credit hours, including upper-division courses such as Management Accounting for Corporate Accountants, Financial Statement Analysis, and Taxes for Corporate Accountants. The curriculum is structured to equip students with the analytical and leadership skills needed to evaluate financial information and make decisions that drive an organization's fiscal performance.

Graduates may pursue career opportunities as an accounting manager, financial analyst, chief financial officer, controller, treasurer, or internal auditor. The W. P. Carey School of Business, which is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), offers undergraduate students many opportunities to maximize their education and career opportunities. Their Professional Mentorship Program pairs business students with professional mentors to provide them with practical experience, career guidance, and networking opportunities. Study abroad and entrepreneurship and innovation programs are also available to students interested in enhancing their education.

Visit Arizona State University's website.

#5
Median Salary $53,500
Median Debt $15,775
Annual Tuition $9,556
Graduation Rate N/A

Located in New Jersey, Thomas Edison State University is a public institution that delivers academic programs created specifically for adult learners. Their academic catalog includes certificate and degree programs in over 100 fields of study from the university's schools of arts and sciences, science and technology, business and management, nursing, and public service. Among the programs offered through the School of Business and Management is an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. The 120-credit degree program features flexible course options, including online courses that contain class interaction, e-Pack courses that allow students to work independently, and portfolio assessment that enables students to earn credits for prior learning.

The traditional curriculum explores core fundamentals and finance subjects such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, and analyzing earnings performance. Students complete a capstone requirement to incorporate the program content and demonstrate their knowledge. Graduates may pursue careers in accounting and auditing, an MBA, or other graduate degrees. The BSBA in accounting can also be integrated into the university's CPA & Master's Track, which offers students the opportunity to fulfill their CPA requirements while earning their master's in management degree with a specialization in accounting.

Visit Thomas Edison State University's website.