Whether you’re a professional accountant looking for more education or career opportunities, have a recently minted Bachelor’s in Accounting and are looking for the next step, or are just looking for a career change, an online Masters in Accounting degree is the way to go. Accounting is an invaluable service to corporations, government agencies, and individuals. Anyone or anything that deal with money is in need of an accountant’s skills. With career opportunities in fields like assurance, taxation, consulting, or forensic accounting, an online Master’s in Accounting Degree Program will provide flexibility and opportunity for advancement in any situation.
Master’s Degrees don’t have to be backbreaking or intimidating. Distance learning is growing every day, and the flexibility, convenience, and affordability of online education make earning a Master’s from a top university easier than ever.
To help you make the best informed choice, we have put together a list of the best online Master’s Degree Accounting Programs available in the country. Each one has its own unique strengths and each provides an outstanding education for someone seeking to enhance their accounting career.
Here is the list of the 25 best online Masters in Accounting programs.
#1 Rider University
- Tuition: $22,239 a year
- Finish Time: 16 months
- What Sets it Apart: Possibility to waive GRE requirement
Ranked #527 by Forbes, Rider has a flexible online Masters in Accounting program that lets students choose from either a traditional cohort program or a part time online program completed at their own pace. A private, nonprofit university, Rider has an 85% CPA exam pass rate and meets the CPA requirements of all 50 states. To apply students need to submit a GMAT/GRE score and a GPA of at least 3.3, although students applying with professional experience may have the opportunity to waive the GMAT requirement.
#2 University of South Dakota (USD)
- Tuition: $7,516 a year
- Finish Time: 2-4 years
- What Sets it Apart: Designed for Public Accountants
Founded in 1862, the University of South Dakota is the state’s oldest university. USD’s online Masters’ program is specifically designed for students intending to become public accountants. The course prepares students for the CPA exam and was ranked #32 in Online Graduate Business Programs by U.S. News. To be considered for admission, prospective students must send in any official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and official GMAT scores.
#3 Colorado State University (CSU)
- Tuition: $9,000 a year
- Finish Time: 9 months
- What Sets it Apart: Tuition Flat Rate Guarantee
As the first 100% online public university in America, CSU has been ranked by U.S. News as #82 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs and has received the Forbes ranking of #310. Colorado State stands apart in its tuition policies, offering out of state students the same tuition rate as in state residents and guaranteeing its students a locked in rate of tuition for their entire time at the university.
#4 Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
- Tuition: $5,467 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Focus on Forensic Accounting
FAU’s online Master’s in Accounting Degree is offered entirely online and specializes in forensic accounting. With a Forbes ranking of #523 and a U.S. News ranking of #110, Florida Atlantic provides its students with optimal flexibility with start dates in January, May, and August and the ability to attend additional Saturday morning on campus lectures.
#5 Southern Utah University (SUU)
- Tuition: $7,280 a year
- Finish Time: 9 months
- What Sets it Apart: Near 100% Job Placement
SUU offers its students the choice of multiple areas of emphasis, allowing them to truly customize their field of study to fit their interest and career goals. Southern Utah also prides itself with almost 100% job placement rate for new graduates in fields such as controllership, auditing, and taxation. A GMAT score is required to apply, and applications are accepted during spring, summer and fall term.
#6 Gardner Webb University (GWU)
- Tuition: $525 per credit hour
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Baptist Emphasis
GWU prides itself on preparing its students for more than just the routine and is known for regularly updating its challenging programs to reflect the ever changing global market. Ranked by U.S. News as #46 in Online Graduate Business Programs, this private, nonprofit university is affiliated with the Baptist denomination. It aims to prepare its students to “make significant contributions to God and humanity in the ever-changing global community.”. Gardner Webb also strongly encourages students to participate in project, internships, and service opportunities to increase their hands on learning experience.
#7 Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU)
- Tuition: $325 per credit hour
- Finish Time: 18-26 months
- What Sets it Apart: Evangelical Christian Emphasis
Students at IWU’s Master’s Accounting Program are part of a cohort group which takes courses together one at a time. Four start dates are offered throughout the year for students (April, May, June, and August) to provide the greatest amount of flexibility. Indiana Wesleyan was founded by the Evangelical Christian, Wesleyan Church, and classes are taught within a Biblical framework. A transcript from an accredited undergraduate university and a GPA of 2.5 or higher are needed to apply.
#8 Liberty University
- Tuition: $565- $615 a credit hour
- Finish Time: 1-2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Can transfer up to 50% of program
Liberty, an Evangelical Christian university, seeks to foster its students with a strong sense of ethics and integrity in business, as well as an increased ability to communicate effectively through strong written and oral communication skills. Classes at Liberty are taught with a Christian perspective with a particular emphasis on ethics. Liberty stands apart from its competitors by allowing prospective students to transfer from another accredited university up to 50% of their course requirements.
#9 Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
- Tuition: $18,810 a year
- Finish Time: 15 months
- What Sets it Apart: No GMAT or GRE requirements
SNHU stands apart from many of its competitors by allowing students to apply without having to provide a GMAT or GRE score. Southern New Hampshire also has a prominent nationwide alumni network to aid students and graduates in finding internship and career opportunities around the world. The accounting program has three concentration for students to focus on: auditing, forensic accounting, and taxation.
#10 Franklin University
- Tuition: $659 per credit hour
- Finish Time:17 months
- What Sets it Apart: Multiple Tracks Available
Franklin University received the U.S. News ranking of #153 for Online Graduate Business Programs. This private, nonprofit university was created with the focus of providing quality and convenient education to distance learners. The program offers two possible tracks that students can choose from and up to four electives to diversify their learning. The Financial Operations Track provides education in auditing, forensic accounting, and data mining, while the Taxation Track focuses on corporate and individual taxation. The school provides multiple start dates throughout the year and does not require students to submit a GMAT or GRE score in order to apply.
#11 Western Governors University (WGU)
- Tuition: $6,000 a year
- Finish Time: 1.5 – 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Flat Rate Tuition
WGU is a private, non-profit, online university designed to provide education to nontraditional students. With this goal as its emphasis, WGU does all that it can for its online students. Part of this effort is their unique flat rate tuition policy. Students pay a flat rate of $6,000 every semester rather than paying a per credit price. This allows students to work at their own pace and complete as much work as possible in a six month period, without being limited to the amount of coursework within a required credit amount. This allows for an ambitious student to accomplish much more than would regularly be possible.
#12 California State University Sacramento (CSUS)
- Tuition: $6,738 a year
- Finish Time: 18 months
- What Sets it Apart: Research Emphasis
CSUS is well known in its community for its strong research emphasis, as well as its encouragement for its students to participate in a variety of internship opportunities. The Sacramento campus has been nominated a tree campus and has over 3,500 trees on their 300-acre campus. To apply students need to submit two letters of recommendation, a current resume, transcripts and GMAT scores.
#13 St. Joseph’s University (SJU)
- Tuition: $16,092 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Community Based Programs
St. Joseph’s is a Catholic, private university with a strong focus on learning outside of the classroom. The school has strong ties to the community and encourages students to participate in their out of class community-based programs often. With start dates in January, March, May, July, and October, students at SJU can begin their course of study almost immediately after acceptance. Participants also have the opportunity to enroll in a Fast Track Masters program, allowing them to complete their degree with 30 credits rather than 36.
#14 University of Maryland University College (UMUC)
- Tuition: $8,244 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart:70% pass rate on CPA
With over 90,000 students enrolled from all over the world, UMCM is the largest online higher education institution worldwide. And with a nearly 70% pass rate on the CPA exam, the University of Maryland stands up to its reputation of quality education regardless of your location.
#15 University of Michigan Flint (U of M Flint)
- Tuition: $867 per credit hour
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Blended Program
U of M Flint differs its approach toward a Masters of Accounting by providing a blended program. This course of study is a hybrid between traditional and online classes, where students complete the majority of their work online but still meet with students and faculty on in a traditional on campus setting twice a semester. Students who are interested in an MBA degree can also double major, counting up to 15 credits from their Accounting degree towards an MBA.
#16 George Mason University (Mason)
- Tuition: $10,628 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: High Job Placement
Mason students participate in the cohort format, entering and completing classes together. Students are also required to complete a one-week residency experience if they wish to complete a global accounting perspective. Data from GMU reports that 86% of graduates had accounting related positions at the time of graduation and that 66% of graduates received a signing bonus.
#17 Clarion University of Pennsylvania
- Tuition: $11,592 a year
- Finish Time: 1 year
- What Sets it Apart: Designed For Those With No Accounting Experience
Clarion University’s Masters of Science in Accounting prepares students for future careers in corporate or public accounting and equips students to take the CPA exam. This program differs slightly from its competitors in that is specifically designed for someone with no prior experience in accounting. To apply, prospective students must have a four-year degree from a Department of Education approved school, a university transcript, and the “Online CPA Exam Eligibility Program Form”.
#18 University of Hartford (UHart)
- Tuition: $12,060 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Flexibility
UHart offers its Master’s of Accounting Degree entirely online, with no regulated deadlines. The course may be completed in a few as two years, but students are able to work entirely at their own pace as long as the program is finished in five years or less. Hartford’s program specializes in Taxation and prepares students for work in either public or government accounting careers. Three start dates are offered each year in September, January, and May.
#19 University of Illinois (U of I)
- Tuition: $15,267 a year
- Finish Time: 1.5 years
- What Sets it Apart: Hands on Experience
While classes at the U of I are offered entirely online, that does not mean that they aren’t hands on. Classes and projects are known for being interactive and engaging with regular team projects, group discussions, and personalized attention from professors. By providing personalized attention and engaging studies regularly, U of I can guarantee an authentic and quality experience.
#20 University of North Carolina (UNC)
- Tuition: $993 per credit hour
- Finish Time: 1 years
- What Sets it Apart: High Job Offer Rate
This Master’s of Accountancy program is available for students regardless of their undergraduate emphasis. Those who have accounting experience will receive a personalized curriculum to accommodate their existing knowledge. Start times for the program are offered in January, March, June or September, and students at UNC who have professional experience or who have served in the Military for more than five years may have the option to waive GMAT/GRE requirements. 98% of North Carolina’s students have also reported receiving a full-time job offer within three months of graduation.
#21 DePaul University
- Tuition: $18,960 a year
- Finish Time: 18 month
- What Sets it Apart: Accelerated Graduation Option
DePaul University is designed for students who have already acquired an undergraduate accounting degree and are looking to increase their studies. Courses are 11 weeks long, but students have the freedom to work individually at their own pace. Those that have completed coursework previously at either the graduate or undergraduate level may have the option of testing out of core classes, accelerating their study and graduation time.
#22 Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
- Tuition: $19,712 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Graduate Certificate in Accounting Program
PSU’s program is designed for students seeking to obtain their CPA. While an undergraduate degree is not required to apply, some undergraduate accounting classes do need to be completed. For students unsure of pursuing a Masters, a Graduate Certificate in Accounting is available, which includes four classes from the Masters of Professional Accounting course. If accepted into the Master’s program after completing the Certificate program, the 12 credits can be applied toward the Master’s degree.
#23 Baker College
- Tuition: $695 per credit hour
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Long History of Distance Learning
Baker College has the prestige of being one of the first universities to offer distance learning to students and still continues to be one of the largest providers of online education. The college’s MBA in accounting is offered entirely online and is designed for students with undergraduate accounting degrees looking to increase their education and advance their careers. The curriculum focuses on in depth understanding of accounting concepts including theoretical and practical concepts.
#24 University of Dallas
- Tuition: $30,200 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Variety of Study Formats
The University of Dallas provides flexibility to students in a 33 credit online Master’s Accounting program is the form of 12-week, six-week, or inter-semester formats. This provides students the ability to learn not only at their own pace but also to begin whenever is the most convenient for them. Courses are also offered entirely online. While there are no electives available in the program, students cover a wide variety of information and content in accounting, such as business communication, accounting information systems, accounting research and more, preparing them for careers in assurance, taxation, consulting, or forensic accounting.
#25 Bentley University
- Tuition: $33,800 a year
- Finish Time: 2 years
- What Sets it Apart: Strong Networking
According to the College Salary Report by PayScale, Bentley University accounting graduates can boast being among the highest paid in the country for the 2016- 2017 year. Bentley places a strong value on helping its students network. As a result, students are taught not only how to do so, but networking opportunities and recruiting initiatives are a regular occurrence and the university. The School has a strong alumni network as well, aiding in job searching and career prospects.
Ranking Process
School on this list were ranked by our own unique method taking into account each university’s popularity and satisfaction with students, convenience to students, the cost of study, quality of education and flexibility for working adults. While every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of information, we invite any school listed to contact us for edits or to add or update their school’s information. We also invite any school not included on our list to contact us with information about their university. We are always seeking to provide the best and most helpful information.
We know that finding the best school for your unique situation and interests can be a difficult task. That’s why we’ve evaluated thousands of school based on the factors most important to you. For more information about our evaluation and ranking system, as well as other lists that were ranked by the factors most important to you, see our methodology page.