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    Best Public University Accounting Degrees in 2027

    The best public university accounting degrees in 2027: bachelor's programs at public colleges and universities, compared on cost and outcomes.

    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

    University of Houston

    Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting

    Texas

    Score
    75.4of 100
    Cost
    $409.25per credit
    Length
    120credits
    Read Our University of Houston Review

    Programs Ranked

    79

    Schools

    79

    Lowest Cost per Credit

    $275.65

    States

    34

    Source: School program pages, verified October 2026

    Compare the Best Programs Side by Side

    Public universities give you plenty of choices for an accounting bachelor's degree. You can study on campus, in a hybrid format or fully online, and the schools are spread across 34 states. The cheapest published rate is $275.65 per credit at Fort Hays State. Nearly all of these programs sit in business schools confirmed on the official lists of three accreditors.

    Those are the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The third is the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Many also say they'll prepare you for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam. Your home state decides which price applies to you, so you'll want to check that first.

    Best Picks

    Best Picks by What Matters Most

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

    Method

    How We Chose These Programs

    We looked at accounting bachelor's degrees from public colleges and universities. To see which are public, we used the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal database every college reports to. Each program gets scored side by side on cost, graduate earnings, completion, flexibility, track record, accreditation and reputation.

    Every program's score, out of a possible 100, is on its card. We matched every program against the three accreditor lists and only mark it confirmed when the data agrees. Prices are the per-credit rates schools publish, so fees can add to them. The methodology page has the full method.

    • A public college or university, according to federal data (IPEDS)
    • Drawn from the bachelor's programs we rank
    • 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

      University of Houston

      Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting

      Texas

      • Fully Online
      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      AACSB accounting accreditation earns a 10 for credential alignment, and 275 accounting degrees awarded a year put track record at 10 too. Cost scores 8.3 at $409.25 per credit, or $49,110 for 120 credits, with a flat online rate. Graduates in this field earn a median $84,668.

      Cost
      $409.25 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $84,668 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10
      • Program Reputation 9.7 / 10

    2. 2

      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

    3. 3

      University of Arizona

      Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

      Arizona

      • Fully Online
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Graduate earnings reach 8.4 on a $93,729 median, and the program's standing in accounting lifts reputation to 9.5. Credential alignment hits 10 on AACSB accounting accreditation, and 139 accounting degrees a year lift track record to 9.9. Cost scores 7 at $525 per credit.

      Cost
      $525 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $93,729 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 9.9 / 10
      • Program Reputation 9.5 / 10

    4. 4

      University of Arkansas

      Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

      Arkansas

      • Fully Online
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Cost scores 8.7 at $376.09 per credit across a 120-credit degree. The school confers 142 accounting degrees a year for a perfect 10 in track record, and credential alignment matches it through AACSB accounting accreditation. Reputation adds 9.5.

      Cost
      $376.09 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $84,097 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 10 / 10
      • Program Reputation 9.5 / 10

    5. 5

      Boise State University

      Accountancy

      Idaho

      • Online Degree Completion
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      Cost scores 8.5 at $395 per credit, or $47,400 for 120 credits, and flexibility reaches 7 with six starts a year and 7-week terms. AACSB accounting accreditation takes credential alignment to 10, and 91 accounting degrees awarded annually lift track record to 8.8.

      Cost
      $395 per credit
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $69,257 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 8.8 / 10
      • Cost 8.5 / 10

    6. 6

      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

    7. 7

      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

    8. 8

      Northern Illinois University

      Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

      Illinois

      • On Campus
      • Public
      What Stands Out

      IPEDS shows $377 per credit, so cost scores 8.7, and completion scores 8.6 with 70.5% of students going on to graduate. Credential alignment is a 10 thanks to AACSB accounting accreditation, while 104 accounting degrees awarded each year give track record 9.2.

      Cost
      $377 per creditout-of-state, federal data
      Credits
      120 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $83,573 median

      Best Scores (out of 10)

      • Credential Alignment 10 / 10
      • Track Record 9.2 / 10
      • Program Reputation 8.8 / 10

    9. 9

      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

    10. 10

      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

    Ranked 11 to 25

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

    5. 15

      James Madison University

      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

      On Campus · Public · Virginia

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

      Best Scores Credential Alignment 10 out of 10 Graduate Earnings 9.4 out of 10 Program Reputation 9.2 out of 10

    6. 16

      Temple University

      Accounting

      Fully Online, On Campus · Public · Pennsylvania

      Cost
      $739 per credit
      Credits
      124 credits
      Graduate Pay
      $85,777 median

      Best Scores Credential Alignment 10 out of 10 Track Record 9.6 out of 10 Program Reputation 9.1 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 Public University Programs: 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
    Bemidji State University BS Accounting B.S. Visit school MN $353.97 $72,153 Fully Online, On Campus
    Binghamton University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NY $1,123* $106,323 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
    Central Connecticut State University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school CT $350* $74,408 On Campus
    Colorado State University Global BS Accounting Visit school CO $385 $75,415 Fully Online, asynchronous
    East Carolina University BSBA Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting Visit school NC $889.63 $79,351 Online Degree Completion, 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
    George Mason University BS Bachelor of Science in Business with Accounting Concentration Visit school VA $1,453* $91,132 Fully Online
    Illinois State University BS Accounting - Business Analytics Visit school IL $804* $84,458 On Campus
    Miami University-Oxford BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school OH $1,464* $101,808 On Campus
    Michigan State University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school MI $1,484* $96,093 On Campus
    Missouri State University-Springfield BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school MO $317 $70,614 Fully Online
    Montclair State University BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school NJ $830* $84,906 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
    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
    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
    Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania BSBA Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) Visit school PA $354 $63,186 Fully Online, 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
    The University of Texas at Austin BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school TX $2,061* $105,143 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 Georgia BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school GA $1,325 $93,260 On Campus
    University of Illinois Chicago BS Bachelor of Science in Accounting Visit school IL $962* $86,088 On Campus
    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign BS Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Visit school IL $1,227* $101,098 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 Mississippi BAccy Bachelor of Accountancy Visit school MS $1,185* $85,482 On Campus
    University of North Dakota BAcc Bachelor of Accountancy Visit school ND $577* $82,187 Fully Online, On Campus
    University of North Texas BBA Accounting B.B.A. Visit school TX $757* $79,124 On Campus
    University of Toledo BBA Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Visit school OH $473.27 $74,103 Fully Online
    University of Utah BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting Visit school UT $990* $94,253 On Campus
    University of Washington-Seattle Campus BS Accounting Major Visit school WA $1,404* $88,393 On Campus
    University of Wisconsin-Madison BBA Business: Accounting, BBA Visit school WI $1,688* $101,390 On Campus
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University BS Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting and Business Analysis Visit school VA $1,432* $99,528 On Campus
    Western Illinois University BB Bachelor of Business in Accountancy Visit school IL $350.10 $71,059 Fully Online, 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.

    Find Out Which Rate You Would Pay

    Public schools set their rates a few different ways. Some charge everyone the same, whether you live in the state or not. Southeast Missouri State is $305 per credit, Missouri State is $317 and Northwest Missouri State is $368. University of Arkansas charges $376.09 to approved online students regardless of residency.

    Others give residents a discount. Old Dominion lists $453 per credit, and $443 if you live in Virginia. East Carolina lists $889.63 and $191.04 for residents. You'll want to look up the rate for your own state before you start comparing.

    Choose the Format That Fits Your Schedule

    You can take accounting at a public university on campus, in a hybrid format or online. Northern Illinois, Florida State and Texas A&M teach on campus, and Portland State uses a hybrid format. Houston has a fully online BBA at a flat rate with no additional fees, right next to its campus degree. At Boise State, you'd learn from the same professors who teach on campus.

    Format changes your cost as well as your schedule, so read the fees on each tuition page. Ask about transfer credits too. If you've already earned some, Old Dominion accepts up to 90, and Colorado State Global does the same.

    Compare Accreditation and Graduate Outcomes

    Business accreditation comes from AACSB, ACBSP or IACBE. Of the 79 programs, 77 are confirmed on the official lists, and 74 of those are on the AACSB list. University-wide accreditation is a separate thing that covers the whole school.

    Graduate earnings are a handy way to compare schools. Graduates of The College of New Jersey earn $111,509, and University of Connecticut graduates earn $106,959. Northern Illinois points to graduates working at firms like KPMG, Deloitte, PwC and EY. And 61 programs say they'll prepare you for the CPA, certified management accountant (CMA) or other certifications.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What Are the Best Public University Accounting Degrees in 2027?
    The #1 public university accounting degree for 2027 is University of Houston's Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting. Its school awards about 275 bachelor's degrees in accounting each year (one of the most on this list). You pay $409.25 per credit (lower than most programs on this list). #2 is Appalachian State University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting. 74% of its transfer students go on to graduate (one of the highest on this list). You can study fully online, with 8-week terms. #3 is University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting. Its accounting graduates typically earn $93,729 (one of the highest on this list). You can study fully online.

    How Much Does a Public University Accounting Degree Cost?
    Published rates start at $275.65 per credit at Fort Hays State, with $33,078 in total tuition. Southeast Missouri State lists $305, Southern Utah $315 and Missouri State $317. Fees and residency rules differ, so compare the full cost for your state.

    Is Accounting Cheaper for In-State Students at Public Universities?
    Some are, some aren't. Missouri State and Northwest Missouri State charge everyone the same. University of South Florida lists $611.39 per credit, and $211.19 for Florida residents. East Carolina lists $889.63 and $191.04.

    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 for CPA CandidatesThe best accounting degrees for CPA candidates in 2027: bachelor's programs that prepare you for the CPA exam or public accounting, ranked by 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.Programs by StateEvery state with programs based in it, with in-state rates and state pay data.