Best Online Master's in Accounting Programs in 2027

• Highest Score79.3 out of 100

  Most FlexibleFully Online, asynchronous

  Strongest CredentialsAACSB accreditation confirmed on the official list; prepares for CPA

  George Mason University

  Master of Science in Accounting

  Virginia · MS

  George Mason University's MS Review
• Lowest Price$414 per credit

  Missouri State University-Springfield

  Master of Accountancy

  Missouri · MAcc

  Missouri State University-Springfield's MAcc Review
• Highest Graduate Earnings$122,816 median earnings

  Loyola University Maryland

  Master of Accounting

  Maryland · MAcc

  Loyola University Maryland's MAcc Review

We began with every master's degree in accounting, whether it's taught on campus, in a hybrid format or at a distance, and kept only the programs you can complete fully online. From those we took the 25 best by Program Score. That score blends price, what graduates earn, how many finish, schedule flexibility, history, accreditation and program reputation, using federal data that every school reports the same way.

You can read the full scoring on the methodology page. If you'd like bachelor's programs in the mix, the combined list of online accounting programs covers both levels. And the master's in accounting ranking adds campus and hybrid programs.

• A master's in accounting or accountancy you can complete fully online
• The 25 highest-scoring online master's programs
• Scored the same way as every other list

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).

Who an Online Master's in Accounting Suits

If you already have an accounting bachelor's, a master's lets you go deeper and add credits toward the 150 hours many states ask for before the CPA license. But you don't need that bachelor's to start.

Merrimack College, DePaul University, Florida Atlantic University and Mercer University welcome graduates from any discipline. Some other programs ask you to finish a few accounting courses first, so ask admissions how long that would take you.

The format helps if you're working. Twelve programs let you study part time, among them George Mason University and the University of Connecticut. And entrance exams don't have to slow you down. Merrimack College asks for no Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, and George Mason University doesn't require one either.

Master of Accountancy Online or Master of Science: What Changes

You'll see two main titles. Nine of the 25 programs are a Master of Accountancy, and 14 are a Master of Science in Accounting. Two others use their own names, such as the University of Hartford's Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation.

The title matters less than what's inside. Read the course list, look at the electives, and check whether the school mentions CPA preparation. Thirteen of the 25 programs also list concentrations or graduate certificates, such as the accounting analytics and forensic accounting options at George Mason University.

State boards look at credits and courses, so those details count when you pick. Our CPA requirements guide walks through the rules by state, and the compare page lets you line up programs on cost, credits and pace. Before you apply, ask admissions to confirm in writing that the degree fits the rule where you plan to be licensed.

What an Online Master's in Accounting Costs and How Long It Takes

Look at total tuition as well as the rate per credit. University of Louisiana at Lafayette lists $14,400 and University of North Alabama lists $14,850. George Mason University lists $30,750, and University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus lists $51,765 for 51 credits. Eighteen programs are at public universities, and seven are at private nonprofit schools.

Courses are short at many schools. Montclair State University, the University of Hartford and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville teach in 7-week blocks, seven more schools teach in 8-week blocks, and Florida Atlantic University uses 16 weeks. Merrimack College lists 6 starts a year, so you can begin close to when you're ready.

If you want to finish quickly, look at the time listed on each card. Florida International University, Loyola University Maryland and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville list as few as 10 months full time. George Mason University lists 11 months full time or 22 months part time.