Students can embark on a rewarding career in business and finance with an accounting degree. Accountants generate tax records, ensure regulatory compliance, create financial reports, and review revenue and expenditures. They work for corporations, non-profit organizations, governmental bodies, and small businesses. Depending on the specific function, an accounting professional can either be secure and predictable or thrilling and dynamic.
Accounting can be pursued as a major at the undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and research degree levels. Students can get into the profession quickly through certificate programs, while bachelor's and master's degrees open the door to middle- and upper-level positions.
A bachelor's or master's degree can cost up to $108,000 annually. Through several academic institutions, accounting students can specialize in various fields, including forensic accounting, cost accounting, financial accounting, federal taxation, management accounting, real estate, and international finance.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in the USA for Accounting courses
Check the following table for a list of the best universities in the USA to study accounting if you wish to attend one of the top-ranked institutions in the country.
World Ranking |
University |
Location |
2 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Cambridge, United States |
5 |
University of Chicago |
Chicago, United States |
8 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, United States |
9 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Berkeley, United States |
10 |
New York University (NYU) |
New York City, United States |
11 |
Columbia University |
New York City, United States |
26 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, United States |
27 |
Cornell University |
Ithaca, United States |
29 |
Northwestern University |
Evanston, United States |
32 |
University of Texas at Austin |
Austin, United States |
=38 |
Duke University |
Durham, United States |
51 |
University of Southern California |
Los Angeles, United States |
=57 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Champaign, United States |
Programs for Bachelor of Accounting with tuition fees in the USA
A bachelor's degree in accounting normally takes four years to complete and requires 120 credits, covering business and accounting fundamentals before moving on to more advanced topics. Students frequently have the option to select elective courses or concentrations outside of the main curriculum that will help steer their future professions, allowing them to learn more about subjects including financial accounting, management accounting, and forensic accounting. The program is available as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
University of Pennsylvania |
BS in Accounting |
$56,212 |
University of Texas at Austin |
Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting |
$46,498 |
University of Southern California |
BS in Accounting |
$63,468 |
University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign |
Bachelor of Science Major in Accountancy |
$38,760 |
Academic Requirements
- An undergraduate degree requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent at the intermediate level/ +2.
- SAT or ACT scores if required by the university.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE: A minimum overall score of 53.
Programs for Masters of Accounting with tuition fees in the USA
A master's degree in accounting normally includes 30–45 credits and is completed in 1-2 years. These courses emphasize complex accounting concepts like business analytics, real estate sales and purchases, and in-depth taxation. Many specializations are available for master's degrees in corporate accounting, financial management, or personal finance. Typically, master's degrees serve as a stepping stone to the CPA designation or other higher credentials.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
University of Pennsylvania |
MBA-Accounting Major |
$84,874 |
New York University (NYU) |
Master of Science in Accounting |
$59,202 |
Columbia University |
Master of Science in Accounting and Fundamental Analysis |
$64,726 $32,363*2 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Master of Accounting |
$55,906 |
Cornell University |
Master of Professional Studies in Management (Accounting Specialization) |
$62,456 |
Northwestern University |
MBA with Accounting Major |
$108,016 |
University of Texas at Austin |
Master in Professional Accounting |
$31,284 |
University of Southern California |
Master of Accounting (emphasis in data and analytics ) |
$63,468 |
Master of the Accounting |
||
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Master of Accounting Science (MAS) |
$40,080 |
Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) |
$49,925 |
Academic Requirements
- A 4-year undergraduate degree in accounting, Business, Finance, or Economics from an accredited institution.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- A GMAT or a GRE score if asked.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: Overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of 94 to 110.
- PTE: An overall score of 70.
Programs for Doctorate in Accounting with tuition fees in the USA
Doctoral degrees typically take five years to complete and can range in credit requirements from 60 to 120. While some programs provide concentrations, most favor in-depth independent study over more conventional specializations.
Doctorates generally offer courses in research methodology and advanced business, economics, and statistics. Because of the extensive training required for this degree, graduates are qualified for most accounting roles, including top executives, financial managers, and other management positions.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Duration |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
$25,920 $1,440*18 |
University of Chicago |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
$70,056 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
$39,838 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
$26,802 ($5,850+$7,551)*2 |
New York University (NYU) |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
$52,480 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
Full tuition waiver |
Northwestern University |
Ph.D. in Accounting Information & Management |
$56,067 $18,689/quarter |
University of Texas at Austin |
Ph.D. in Finance Accounting |
$39,614 |
Duke University |
Ph.D. in Accounting |
$64,380 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Ph.D. in accountancy |
$47,585 |
Academic Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with a GPA over 3.0.
- A master's degree with a major in accounting and a minimum score of 65% overall.
- As part of the application, some universities also ask for a viable research proposal of up to 5000 words which has the potential to make a significant contribution to prior literature.
- GRE/GMAT score may be required.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in writing.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of 110 with 24 in writing.
- PTE: An overall score of 70.
Top Accounting University in the USA: Scholarships
Scholarships are forms of aid that help students pay for their education. Scholarships can be merit-based or need-based. Some of the scholarships awarded to international students in the USA are listed below;
University |
Scholarships |
Amount |
University of Pennsylvania |
Dean's Scholarship |
$10,000 |
Dean's Fellowship and Research Apprenticeship |
N/A |
|
Northwestern University |
Graduate Funding |
N/A |
University of Texas at Austin |
ConTex Doctoral Fellowships |
min stipend of $1,100 |
University of Southern California |
AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs |
$3,000 - $10,000 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Teaching Assistantships |
$6,588 per semester + monthly stipend |
Top Accounting University in the USA: Scope
Accounting is a highly valued function in every company and sector. Accounting experts are essential to following rules, accurately reporting financial data, and making sound business decisions for governments, nonprofits, publicly traded enterprises, and private groups. The increasing complexities of tax regimes and regulatory frameworks are expected to raise demand in the auditing and accounting domains.
With a degree in accounting, you can work in various sectors. A few jobs could be those of an accountant, budget analyst, business and financial consultant, financial analyst, financial examiner, finance manager, management analyst, or personal financial advisor.
After completing a certificate degree, graduates can work as accounting or auditing clerks, financial clerks, or bill collectors. An accounting bachelor's degree opens doors to positions such as auditor, cost estimator, and financial analyst. Graduates with a master's degree in the discipline can find work as tax examiners, management analysts, or financial managers. A master's degree can also lead to managerial or executive positions. Graduates with a Ph.D. in accounting are qualified for most management positions, including top executive, financial, and other management positions, as well as numerous teaching and research positions in colleges and universities.
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Senior Accountant |
$58k - $87k |
$71,651 |
Staff Accountant |
$45k - $65k |
$54,759 |
Accounting Manager |
$65k - $113k |
$85,640 |
Financial Controller |
$65k - $128k |
$91,424 |
Accountant |
$44k - $73k |
$55,942 |
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) |
$87k - $207k |
$136,739 |
Senior Financial Analyst |
$68k - $102k |
$84,110 |
Tax Manager |
$74k - $121k |
$95,877 |
Financial Analyst |
$55k - $87k |
$68,882 |
Finance Director |
$77k - $164k |
$116,061 |
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) |
$50k - $102k |
$67,143 |
Tax Associate |
$50k - $65k |
$57,081 |