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    Best Accounting Degrees for CPA Candidates in 2027

    These bachelor's programs prepare you for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam or focus on public accounting. These accounting degrees for CPA candidates are ranked by Program Score.

    Haley Hankins, BA in Accounting, Portland State University

    Edited by , BA in Accounting · Portland State University

    Last updated

    We may earn a commission when you request information from some schools. It never changes a program's score or rank. How the site is funded

    Best Pick

    Appalachian State University

    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

    North Carolina

    Score
    74.7of 100
    Cost
    $509per credit
    Length
    120credits
    Read Our Appalachian State University Review

    Programs Ranked

    79

    Schools

    79

    Lowest Cost per Credit

    $275.65

    States

    30

    Source: School program pages, verified October 2026

    Compare the Best Programs Side by Side

    If you want to sit for the CPA exam, these are the bachelor's programs to look at. All 79 say they prepare you for it or focus on public accounting, and 74 are confirmed on the official AACSB, ACBSP or IACBE accreditation lists.

    They're spread across 30 states: 52 on campus, 24 fully online, two online degree completion programs and one hybrid. Most of the ones that list a credit total ask for 120, but the usual route to a license is 150 hours.

    How each school closes that gap, and what it costs you, is what sets them apart.

    Best Picks

    Best Picks by What Matters Most

    Each pick leads this list on one thing you might care about most.

    • Highest Score74.7 out of 100
      Strongest CredentialsAACSB accreditation confirmed on the official list; prepares for CPA

      Appalachian State University

      Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

      North Carolina · BSBA

      Appalachian State University's BSBA Review
    • Lowest Price$275.65 per credit

      Fort Hays State University

      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

      Kansas · BBA

      Fort Hays State University's BBA Review
    • Highest Graduate Earnings$130,990 median earnings

      Bucknell University

      Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting & Financial Management (Accounting)

      Pennsylvania · BSBA

      Bucknell University's BSBA Review
    • Most FlexibleFully Online, 4-week terms

      National University

      Bachelor of Science in Accounting

      California · BS

      National University's BS Review

    Method

    How We Chose These Programs

    We started with bachelor's degrees in accounting, in any study format, where the school says it prepares you for the CPA exam or focuses on public accounting. We checked business accreditation against the official AACSB, ACBSP and IACBE lists, and we only call it confirmed when the data backs that up.

    Then we scored each program against the other bachelor's programs on cost, graduate earnings, completion, flexibility, track record, accreditation and reputation. You'll see each program's score, out of a possible 100, on its card. Where we cite federal data, it comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the database every college reports to.

    You can read the full method on the methodology page.

    • The school mentions CPA prep or public accounting on its own pages
    • We don't promise you'll qualify in your state, so check with your state board of accountancy
    • Scored the same way as every list on the site

    Each Program Score blends seven factors: Cost 20%, Graduate Earnings 20%, Completion 15%, Flexibility 15%, Credential Alignment 10%, Track Record 10%, Program Reputation 10% (method version 2.0).

    The Ranking

    Best Programs

    1. 1

      Appalachian State University

      Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

      North Carolina

      • Fully Online
      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Completion scores 9.1 because 74% of students go on to graduate, while AACSB accreditation gives credential alignment a 10. Cost scores 7.1 at $509 per credit, North Carolina residents pay $424, and 8-week courses keep the pace steady. Graduate pay is an $85,580 median.

      Cost
      $509 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $85,580 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Completion 9.1 / 10
      • Track Record 9.1 / 10

    2. 2

      University of South Florida

      Accountancy and Analytics

      Florida

      • Fully Online
      • Live and Asynchronous
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      With 253 accounting degrees awarded annually, the University of South Florida has track record at 10, and program reputation scores 9.2. Completion scores 8.6 as 70.5% of students go on to graduate, and AACSB accounting accreditation secures credential alignment at 10. Florida residents pay $211.19 per credit.

      Cost
      $611.39 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $78,918 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10
      • Program Reputation 9.2 / 10

    3. 3

      Florida State University

      Bachelor of Science in Accounting

      Florida

      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Reputation sits at 9.8, and 75% of students go on to graduate for a completion grade of 9.2. AACSB accounting accreditation scores 10 on credential alignment, and 145 accounting degrees a year do the same for track record. Graduates in this field earn a median $91,056.

      Cost
      $636 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $91,056 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10
      • Program Reputation 9.8 / 10

    4. 4

      California State University-Northridge

      Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (Professional Accountancy Option)

      California

      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Completion scores 9.5 because 80% of students go on to graduate, and graduate earnings reach 8.1 on a $92,329 median. Northridge awards 229 accounting degrees annually for a 10 in track record, and credential alignment hits 10 with AACSB accounting accreditation. Professional Accountancy and Information Systems options add choice.

      Cost
      $623 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 to 122 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $92,329 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10
      • Completion 9.5 / 10

    5. 5

      University of Florida

      Bachelor of Science in Accounting

      Florida

      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Reputation is a perfect 10, completion reaches 9.6 as 81% of students go on to graduate, and graduate earnings score 8.6 on a $94,941 median. With 145 accounting degrees a year and AACSB accounting accreditation, track record and credential alignment both hit 10.

      Cost
      $856 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $94,941 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10
      • Program Reputation 10 / 10

    6. 6

      Texas A&M University-College Station

      Accounting - 5-Year Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Financial Management

      Texas

      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      A $103,662 graduate median earns a perfect 10 for earnings, and reputation scores 9.9. Completion is 9.7 since 83% of students go on to graduate. Texas A&M confers 271 accounting degrees a year, and credential alignment reaches 10 with AACSB accounting accreditation.

      Cost
      $1,215 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      156 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $103,662 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Graduate Earnings 10 / 10
      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10

    7. 7

      University of Massachusetts-Amherst

      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (On Campus)

      Massachusetts

      • On Campus
      • Online
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Graduate earnings reach 9.7 on a $100,516 median, and reputation scores 9.6. Track record is 9.8 from 133 accounting degrees awarded yearly. Credential alignment reaches 10 with full AACSB accounting accreditation, and completion reaches 8.4 with 69% of students going on to graduate.

      Cost
      $1,654 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $100,516 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 9.8 / 10
      • Graduate Earnings 9.7 / 10

    8. 8

      James Madison University

      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

      Virginia

      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Earnings reach 9.4 on a $98,767 median, and 74% of students go on to graduate for a completion grade of 9.1. The business college holds AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting. Most students add a fifth-year M.S. in Accounting to reach the 150 hours most states require for the CPA exam.

      Cost
      $850 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $98,767 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Graduate Earnings 9.4 / 10
      • Program Reputation 9.2 / 10

    9. 9

      Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

      Bachelor of Science in Accounting

      Illinois

      • Online Degree Completion
      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      IPEDS shows $321 per credit, so cost scores 9.5. The School of Accountancy holds its own AACSB accounting accreditation, and reputation scores 8.1. The online completion route runs in 8-week courses, and every online student has a dedicated teaching assistant.

      Cost
      $321 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $70,478 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Cost 9.5 / 10
      • Program Reputation 8.1 / 10

    10. 10

      University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

      Wisconsin

      • Fully Online
      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      At $433 per credit, the 120-credit degree comes to $51,960, so cost scores 8. AACSB accounting accreditation sets credential alignment at 10, and the program supports CPA preparation. Completion reaches 7.5 as 65% of students go on to graduate.

      Cost
      $433 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $78,762 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Cost 8 / 10
      • Completion 7.5 / 10

    Ranked 11 to 25

    The rest of the ranked places, in a shorter card. Each review has the full breakdown.

    9. 19

      Walsh College

      Bachelor of Accountancy

      Fully Online, On Campus · Private nonprofit · Michigan

      Cost
      $633 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $78,902 median

      Best Scores Completion 9.5 out of 10 Program Reputation 8.7 out of 10 Track Record 7.3 out of 10

    12. 22

      George Mason University

      Bachelor of Science in Business with Accounting Concentration

      Fully Online · Public · Virginia

      Cost
      $1,453 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $91,132 median

      Best Scores Credential Alignment 10 out of 10 Completion 9.2 out of 10 Program Reputation 8.9 out of 10

    Also on This List

    More Programs on This List (54)

    Every program here meets the list's criteria and is scored the same way. They're in alphabetical order, and each row links to the program page.

    Best for CPA Candidates: more programs on this list, in alphabetical order
    School and Program State Cost per Credit Graduate Pay Format
    Auburn University BSBA Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accountancy Visit school AL $1,377* $86,222 On Campus, Online
    Ball State University BA/BS Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school IN $578 $75,559 Fully Online, On Campus, asynchronous
    Bentley University BS Accounting Visit school MA $2,033* $108,343 On Campus
    Binghamton University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NY $1,123* $106,323 On Campus
    Boston College BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school MA $2,313* $126,461 On Campus
    Bridgewater State University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting (Accounting Concentration, Accounting and Finance major) Visit school MA $294* $79,315 On Campus, Evenings and Weekends
    Bucknell University BSBA Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting & Financial Management (Accounting) Visit school PA $2,248* $130,990 On Campus
    Central Connecticut State University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school CT $350* $74,408 On Campus
    Champlain College BS Accounting Visit school VT $342 $68,274 Fully Online
    East Carolina University BSBA Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting Visit school NC $889.63 $79,351 Online Degree Completion, On Campus
    Fairfield University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school CT $1,915* $110,586 On Campus
    Florida Atlantic University BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school FL $599* $77,465 On Campus
    Fort Hays State University BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school KS $275.65 $63,148 Fully Online, On Campus
    Franklin University BS Accounting Visit school OH $398 $65,816 Fully Online
    Illinois State University BS Accounting - Business Analytics Visit school IL $804* $84,458 On Campus
    Lakeland University BA Accounting, B.A. Visit school WI $550 $66,815 Fully Online, Hybrid, On Campus, Evenings and Weekends
    Lehigh University BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school PA $2,660* $125,874 On Campus
    Loyola University Maryland BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school MD $1,905* $103,352 On Campus
    Miami University-Oxford BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school OH $1,464* $101,808 On Campus
    Montclair State University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NJ $830* $84,906 On Campus
    National University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school CA $640 $79,696 Fully Online, Hybrid, On Campus, Evenings and Weekends
    Nichols College BSBA BSBA in Accounting Visit school MA $440 $78,894 Fully Online, On Campus
    North Carolina State University at Raleigh BS Accounting (BS) Visit school NC $1,274* $83,689 On Campus
    Northwest Missouri State University BS Accounting - Public Visit school MO $368 $72,893 Fully Online
    Northwood University BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school MI $525 $64,405 Fully Online, On Campus, live and asynchronous
    Oklahoma State University-Main Campus BSBA Accounting: External Reporting, Control, and Auditing, BSBA Visit school OK $698* $81,039 On Campus
    Oregon State University BS Accounting Visit school OR $438 $75,219 Fully Online
    Pennsylvania State University-World Campus BS Accounting Visit school PA $644 $88,192 Fully Online, asynchronous
    Portland State University BS Accounting (Bachelor of Science) Visit school OR $904* $77,226 Hybrid, Online, On Campus, Evenings and Weekends
    Providence College BS Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Visit school RI $2,233* $103,245 On Campus
    Rutgers University-New Brunswick BS Accounting and Accounting Information Systems Major (Bachelor of Science in Business) Visit school NJ $1,124* $89,087 On Campus
    Rutgers University-Newark BS Accounting and Accounting Information Systems Major (B.S., Rutgers Business School Newark; formerly the Accounting major) Visit school NJ $1,124* $89,087 On Campus
    Salisbury University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school MD $782* $89,535 On Campus
    Santa Clara University BS Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Accounting Visit school CA $2,021* $130,087 On Campus
    Southeast Missouri State University BSBA Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting Visit school MO $305 $69,868 Fully Online
    Southern Illinois University Edwardsville BSA Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Visit school IL $309* $69,610 On Campus
    SUNY Polytechnic Institute BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NY $353 $55,821 Fully Online, asynchronous
    Texas State University BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school TX $717* $78,418 On Campus
    Texas Tech University BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school TX $708* $89,891 On Campus
    Towson University BS Accounting major (B.S., College of Business and Economics) Visit school MD $1,077* $91,252 On Campus
    University at Albany BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NY $1,144* $98,010 On Campus
    University at Buffalo BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NY $1,153* $92,314 On Campus
    University of Central Florida BSBA Accounting (BSBA) Visit school FL $891.07 $79,563 On Campus
    University of Connecticut BS Accounting (BS) Visit school CT $1,654* $106,959 On Campus
    University of Delaware BS Accounting (B.S.) Visit school DE $1,633* $105,425 On Campus
    University of Illinois Chicago BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school IL $962* $86,088 On Campus
    University of Iowa BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school IA $1,046* $92,767 On Campus
    University of Maryland-College Park BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school MD $1,645* $97,314 On Campus
    University of Minnesota-Twin Cities BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school MN $1,396* $96,109 On Campus
    University of North Dakota BAcc Bachelor of Accountancy Visit school ND $577* $82,187 Fully Online, On Campus
    University of Notre Dame BBA Accountancy Visit school IN $2,688* $115,909 On Campus
    University of Toledo BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school OH $473.27 $74,103 Fully Online
    Villanova University BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school PA $2,228* $120,207 On Campus
    William Paterson University of New Jersey BS Accounting (BS) Visit school NJ $828* $71,745 Fully Online, On Campus
    Cost per credit is the published rate unless marked. Each program's score is on its review. * Estimated from the out-of-state tuition the school reports to the federal government. Graduate pay is the median for this field at each school, from the College Scorecard.

    Plan for the Extra 30 Credits

    Of the 53 programs that list a credit total, 40 ask for 120 credits. The usual route to a CPA license is 150 hours of college credit, so you may need about 30 more. Many states now also let you qualify with a bachelor's plus work experience, so check with your board before you choose.

    Some schools build the extra hours into a combined bachelor's and master's plan. Others offer a certificate or extra courses. Ask what those extra credits cost, because they usually bill at graduate rates. Where schools publish a total, tuition runs from $33,078 to $106,928.40, and seven programs accept prior learning credit, which can bring your total down.

    What to Check in an Accounting Degree for CPA Candidates

    Schools word this differently, and the wording matters. Seventy-eight programs say they prepare you for the CPA exam. The other one has public accounting in its program title or a named concentration.

    Some schools say their degree meets the education requirements to sit for the exam in a named state. Others say the coursework is designed with the exam in mind. If you live somewhere other than the named state, check your own board's rules before you enroll. The school can tell you what its courses cover, but only your board can tell you what counts.

    Check Accreditation and Format

    Employers and some graduate programs look at business accreditation, and the three accreditors aren't the same. AACSB is the one most people know, and 68 programs on this list have it. Five have ACBSP, two have IACBE, and one school has both AACSB and ACBSP, so it counts in each group.

    Look up your school on the official list yourself. A school can be accredited for its business unit and not for accounting. Format is a separate choice. A campus program gives you a cohort and recruiting events, while the 24 fully online programs fit around work and family.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What Are the Best Accounting Degrees for CPA Candidates in 2027?
    The #1 accounting degree for CPA candidates for 2027 is Appalachian State University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting. You pay $509 per credit (lower than most programs on this list). 74% of its transfer students go on to graduate (higher than most programs on this list). #2 is University of South Florida's Accountancy and Analytics. Its school awards about 253 bachelor's degrees in accounting each year (one of the most on this list). You can study fully online. #3 is Florida State University's Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Its school awards about 145 bachelor's degrees in accounting each year (one of the most on this list). 75% of its transfer students go on to graduate (higher than most programs on this list).

    Does an Accounting Bachelor's Make Me a CPA?
    No. The degree covers the education part. You still have to pass the CPA exam and meet your state's other rules. Many of these schools describe their degrees as built toward CPA requirements, but your state board of accountancy decides what counts. Confirm with the board and the admissions office before you start.

    Can I Reach 150 Credit Hours Without Leaving the School?
    Often, yes. Some schools pair the bachelor's with a master's year, a certificate or a combined plan that gets you to 150 hours. Ask each school for the full credit count and price, and how it bills the added credits.

    Sources

    All sources retrieved .

    Best AACSB Accredited ProgramsThe best AACSB accredited accounting degrees for 2027: bachelor's programs at business schools on AACSB's official list, ranked by Program Score.Best Affordable Online ProgramsThe most affordable online accounting degrees for 2027: the 15 cheapest online accounting bachelor's degrees, sorted by the rate you'd pay per credit.Accelerated ProgramsThe best accelerated accounting degrees in 2027: bachelor's programs with 8-week terms or a short time to finish, sorted from fastest to slowest.Programs by StateEvery state with programs based in it, with in-state rates and state pay data.