Best Accounting Degrees for Working Adults in 2027

• Best Bachelor's71.7 out of 100

  Boise State University

  Accountancy

  Idaho · BBA

  Boise State University's BBA Review
• Best Master's78.6 out of 100

  University of Massachusetts-Amherst

  Master of Science in Accounting (Professional Track)

  Massachusetts · MS

  University of Massachusetts-Amherst's MS Review

We started with every bachelor's and master's program in accounting, in any study format, and kept the ones you can take without daytime classes. Each also had to offer at least two of part-time study, three or more starts a year, and courses of 8 weeks or less.

From there we ranked the programs that passed by Program Score, which looks at cost, graduate earnings, completion, flexibility, track record, accreditation and reputation. Three bachelor's programs and two master's programs sit outside our main lists of the 100 best bachelor's and 50 best master's programs and show up only here.

You can read the full scoring on the methodology page.

• Fully online, or offers evening or weekend classes
• At least two of: part-time study, three or more start dates a year, courses of 8 weeks or less
• Up to 15 programs at each level, highest Program Score first

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).

What Qualifies as an Accounting Degree for Working Adults

The test is about your schedule, not the school's brand. First, a program can't require daytime classes. It's taught online, in the evenings or on weekends. Second, it needs at least two of three features.

Part-time study lets you take fewer courses at once. Three or more start dates a year means you don't wait for fall. And courses of 8 weeks or less let you focus on one or two subjects at a time.

The programs that pass are ranked by Program Score. You'll find 12 bachelor's and 15 master's programs here. Three schools in the bachelor's section show up only on this list: Southwest Minnesota State University, American Public University System and Marian University. Two in the master's section do too: Wilmington University and Rutgers University-Camden.

The Bachelor's Mix

The bachelor's programs are built for speed and frequent starts. All 12 list three or more starts a year, and 11 use courses of 8 weeks or less. Three also let you study part time.

Eleven are fully online. The other one, Boise State University, is an online degree completion program, so it suits you if you already have credits. Seven programs accept up to 90 transfer credits, and Arizona State University Digital Immersion accepts up to 64. That can shorten your degree and lower the total cost.

Per-credit prices start at $342 at Champlain College and top out at $640 at National University. You'll find a mix of schools too: five public, five private nonprofit and two for-profit.

The Master's Mix and Choosing for Your Week

The master's programs run at a different rhythm. Eleven let you study part time, 13 list three or more starts a year, and eight use courses of 8 weeks or less.

Fourteen are fully online, and Central Connecticut State University is hybrid with evening classes on campus. Twelve of the 15 ask for 30 credits. Prices start at $480 a credit at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and 13 of the 15 schools hold AACSB accreditation.

Start with how much time you really have. If you can give a few hours a week, go for part-time study so you can take fewer courses at once. If you want to finish fast, look for 8-week courses and frequent starts.

Colorado State University Global and American Public University System in the bachelor's section start 12 times a year. If your hours change from week to week, evening or weekend classes give you a fixed rhythm.

Then compare total tuition, transfer credit and accreditation. If you're planning to sit for the CPA exam, ask your state board what counts, and ask each school how it handles the extra credits.