University at Albany Bachelor of Science in Accounting: 2027 Review

Score

60.0 of 100

Cost (20%)

2.9 of 10

Graduate Earnings (20%)

9.2 of 10

Completion (15%)

5.1 of 10

Flexibility (15%)

0.0 of 10

Credential Alignment (10%)

10.0 of 10

Track Record (10%)

8.9 of 10

Program Reputation (10%)

9.1 of 10

Credits

120

Format

On Campus

Time to Finish

48 months

Accreditation

AACSB (confirmed on the official list)

See exactly how we score on the methodology page. We checked the school's figures on October 8, 2026.

At Albany, a three-lab analytics sequence in Excel and Power BI runs alongside the theory courses, and Ernst & Young experts help deliver the Accounting and Communications course. The 120-credit degree also qualifies you to sit for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam at graduation.

The Massry School of Business at the University at Albany offers the Bachelor of Science in Accounting on campus. You're admitted to the major at the start of junior year, after general education and prerequisite courses.

• Students who want to sit for the CPA exam at graduation: New York's 120 sit rule lets you test right after the bachelor's.
• Students who like Excel and dashboards: the Financial Accounting Analytics Labs and the Audit Analytics Lab apply Power BI to audit procedures.
• Students who want Big Four exposure: the EY Trajectory Program puts you on an information technology risk consulting team mentored by faculty and EY staff.
• First-years who want a built-in cohort: the PwC World of Accounting floor houses accounting majors together, with career seminars and field trips.
• Students planning a master's: many graduates continue to a master's to reach 150 credits, and Albany offers one-year options in forensic accounting and taxation.

You'll start with Financial Accounting, a look at the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. Cost Accounting Systems for Managerial Decisions shows how managers use internal and external numbers. Financial Accounting Theory I, II and III take you through U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), then business combinations, consolidations and foreign currency.

Accounting Information Systems covers internal controls and computer-based systems. Survey of Taxation covers the federal income tax system for individual taxpayers. Auditing focuses on the attest function, flowcharting and statistical sampling. Electives include Financial Statement Analysis and Data Analytics for Audit and Control. Credit-bearing internships place you at a financial services company, small business, government agency or nonprofit.

The student-run Albany Accounting Association offers review sessions and mentorship.

The bachelor's is 120 credits. Albany publishes a four-year plan that leaves the summers after year two and year three open for internships, study abroad or research. You'll take Financial Accounting in the first semester of sophomore year. You need a C or higher in Theory I to continue to Theory II. For the 150 credits that CPA licensure requires, many students add a master's in accounting.

The school reports tuition of about $1,144 per credit.

It's an on-campus program in Albany. You take liberal arts and sciences courses first, then enter the accounting major in junior year. The first analytics lab must be finished two semesters before you graduate. Career Services offers resume help, mock interviews and weekly updates on job and internship openings.

The Massry School of Business holds AACSB accreditation in business administration and supplemental accreditation in accounting. Only four public universities in New York State have both. The undergraduate curriculum qualifies you to take the Uniform CPA Examination immediately upon graduation. The Beta Alpha Psi chapter gives you honor society membership.

Where this degree can lead: Accounting Degree Jobs.

An alumnus posting on Reddit in 2022 said accounting majors with a solid GPA who apply get interviews for Big Four internships, which lead to job offers. Another alumnus said the main reason for choosing Albany was being admitted directly to the business school and honors college.

A 2024 alumni post on the same thread said they earned the CPA and now work in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting. A student quoted by the school says the faculty are always supporting students. Insight Into Diversity gave the EY LEADs program its 2023-24 Inspiring Programs in Business Award.

• Which Big Four firms recruited from this year's junior class?
• How do I earn academic credit for an internship?
• What GPA and prerequisite courses do I need for junior-year entry into the major?
• Which master's option fits the 150-credit route best for me?

• Best Bachelor's Programs
• Best AACSB Accredited Programs
• Best for CPA Candidates
• Best Public University Programs
• Accounting Programs in New York

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• William Paterson University of New Jersey
• University of Delaware
• Southeast Missouri State University

Also at University at Albany: our master's program review