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Looking for a convenient way to earn a degree in accounting? Online learning is a good choice. The job market shifts and changes with time. Certain jobs report record growth, while others stall. But according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth for accountants and auditors is stable. There is always a need for skilled professionals in this occupation. To keep up with demand, accredited colleges and universities offer accounting programs online. Below we profile 30 best online accounting program degrees for undergraduates. We also answer your most pressing questions about the accounting major. See which online programs stand out above the rest.
Best Online Accounting Degrees Methodology
We reviewed over 170 accredited colleges and universities listed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES College Navigator). We looked at schools that offered BS or online BBA in accounting degrees. To narrow our original pool, we chose schools that met the following criteria:- Rankings with U.S. News & World Report (school and/or program)
- Regional or national accreditation
- 100% online accounting degree
Ranking the Best Online Accounting Schools
#30 – California Baptist University
Online BS in Accounting
Riverside, California Website Undergraduate Tuition: $37,018/year California Baptist University offers one of the best online colleges for accounting. It has an online BS in accounting degree program for students interested in becoming accountants. The program follows the standards set forth by national accrediting bodies. These standards help students qualify for the Certified Public Accountant examination. Curriculum covers topics such as:- Accounting info systems
- Business law
- Cost accounting
- Financial accounting
#29 – Colorado Christian University
Online BS in Accounting
Lakewood, Colorado Website Undergraduate Tuition: $35,436/year Colorado Christian University offers an accounting degree designed for undergraduates interested in accounting careers. You can earn a BS in accounting degree online. The program is set up to take one course at a time. These courses run five and seven weeks in length. The courses you take cover many different business and accounting topics. Online students explore topics such as:- Accounting theory and systems
- Data analytics in accounting
- Government & not for profit organizations
- Financial data
#28 – Indiana Wesleyan University
Online BS in Accounting
Marion, Indiana Website Undergraduate Tuition: $28,960/year Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered school that offers an online accounting degree. It offers an online bachelor’s in accounting degree program. The program focuses on accounting theory and auditing. It also covers taxation. But at the core of the online degree, students learn how to problem solve through practical application. You earn each credit hour online. But the same faculty who instruct on campus deliver the online instruction. Topics covered in the online courses include:- Accounting ethics
- Business law
- Federal income tax
- Financial statements
#27 – Berkeley College
Online BBA in Accounting
New York, New York Website Undergraduate Tuition: $27,600/year Berkeley College is one of the top accounting schools online. You can earn a BBA degree designed to prepare you for accounting careers. In this program, you learn about many different accounting topics. Your courses feature studies in accounting theory and principles. But you also learn real-world skills you can put into practice on the job. These courses cover topics such as:- Auditing
- Business law
- Federal taxation
- Strategic management
#26 – Maryville University
Online BS in Accounting
Saint Louis, MissouriWebsite
Undergraduate Tuition: $27,166/year Maryville University is a good school for an accounting degree. You can earn your undergraduate degree online. The BS in Accounting degree program is for working students with career goals of becoming an accountant. In this program, your online learning covers many business and accounting topics. Courses include:- Financial accounting
- Financial reporting
#25 – Brescia University
Online BS in Accounting
Owensboro, Kentucky Website Undergraduate Tuition: $26,950/year Brescia University offers a flexible and affordable accounting program online. This program accepts transfer credits and awards financial aid to qualifying online students. As an accounting major at Brescia, you take classes that prepare you for professional exams like the Certified Public Accountant examination. Your online learning courses cover topics such as:- Auditing
- Business policy
- Federal entity tax
- Financial data
- Financial reporting
#24 – Concordia University
Online BS in Accounting
Saint Paul, Minnesota Website Undergraduate Tuition: $23,900/year Concordia University is a best online school for accounting degrees. It offers a BS in Accounting degree online. You can finish this degree in 2.5 years. In this online learning program, each credit hour prepares you for the CMA and CPA certification exams. You take courses that teach you how to prepare financial statements. You also learn about financial analysis and legal and ethical issues in business. Concordia accepts transfer credits and awards federal financial aid. These help cut costs and save you money while enrolled in online programs. U.S. News ranks Concordia #66 in best regional schools in the Midwest.#23 – Point University
Online BS in Accounting
West Point, Georgia Website Undergraduate Tuition: $21,850/year Point University is a good school for an accounting degree. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program with a concentration in forensics and fraud. The program is for students interested in forensic accounting. It offers courses that cover topics in auditing and fraud examination. It also covers fraud detection and prevention techniques. Transfer students can enjoy generous transfer credit opportunities. Whether you’ve taken college algebra or a class in financial statements, you can transfer credits. This helps cut your credit hour costs. Other benefits of the school include its accreditation and rankings. Its rankings include #68 in best regional colleges in the South.#22 – University of Mary
Online BS in Accounting
Bismarck, North Dakota Website Undergraduate Tuition: $20,290/year University of Mary offers one of the best online accounting program degrees. You can earn a BS in Accounting online. This program prepares online students seeking CPA certification competencies. It also prepares you for eligibility with most MBA accountancy programs. Each credit hour in accounting teaches you relevant principles. You take courses that cover topics like:- Cash flow analysis
- Cost management and strategy
- Fund accounting
- Intermediate accounting i and ii
#21 – Southern New Hampshire University
Online BS in Accounting
Manchester, New Hampshire Website Undergraduate Tuition: $15,380/year Southern New Hampshire University is an affordable school for an accounting degree. It offers a Bachelor of Accounting degree program online. The degree serves as the first step toward a CPA or CMA certification. As such, the program prepares students to qualify to sit for either exam. Good news for transfer students. The program accepts up to 90 transfer credits and acts as an accelerated BS to MS pathway. Your courses at SNHU cover both foundational and advanced accounting topics. Courses include:- Auditing principles
- Business law
- Federal taxation
- Financial state analysis & business valuation
- Intermediate accounting
#20 – University of Minnesota
Online BS in Accounting
Minneapolis, Minnesota Website Undergraduate Tuition: $15,254/year University of Minnesota offers one of the best online CPA programs. Its BS in Accounting degree prepares students with the knowledge they need to pass certification exams. Your accounting major covers topics in accounting systems. You learn different auditing and project management skills that you use in an accounting career. You can transfer credit into the program and cut your completion time. Like some accounting degree programs, this one also offers financial aid awards. This also cuts costs and helps you earn a degree that’s less burdensome on your budget. The school ranks with U.S. News. Its current rankings include #62 in best national universities and #160 in best value schools.#19 – Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Online BS in Accounting
University Park, Pennsylvania Website Undergraduate Tuition: $14,338/year Pennsylvania State University World Campus offers an accounting degree that has received the Advance Collegiate Schools recognition. The online BS in Accounting degree is one of only a handful of business schools accredited by the AACSB. In this program, you learn different accounting techniques. Your courses cover topics in auditing, federal income taxes, and financial accounting. The courses also prepare online students for five certification exams. These include:- CFE
- CGMA
- CIA
- CMA
- CPA
#18 – University of Arizona
BBA Accounting Online
Tucson, Arizona Website Undergraduate Tuition: $12,736/year The University of Arizona is a good school for an online accounting degree. It offers an online BBA accounting degree that’s IACBE-accredited. The online degree program helps students learn accounting basics while earning a bachelor of business administration degree. The mix of business and accounting classes gives you a strong foundation for related careers. Courses run five weeks. They move at a rigorous pace. These courses cover topics such as:- Accounting systems
- International accounting
- Leadership & financial analysis
#17 – Colorado Technical University
Online BS in Accounting
Colorado Springs, Colorado Website Undergraduate Tuition: $12,581/year Colorado Technical University is a good school for accounting degrees. It offers an online BS in Accounting program that prepares students for careers in the field. The program moves at a quick pace, but you can earn your degree in less than four years. Transfer credits also help you complete your degree in less time. The online program offers many general and advanced accounting courses. Some of the required coursework you complete covers topics in:- Computerized accounting
- Intermediate accounting integrations
- Management information systems in accounting
#16 – Washington State University Global Campus
Online BS in Accounting
Pullman, Washington Website Undergraduate Tuition: $12,417/year Washington State University has one of the best online accounting programs. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting online. This program helps online students get a grasp on accounting theories and practices. Courses cover topics in taxation and business ethics. They also teach students about auditing. You learn how to put your studies in intermediate accounting into practice. Courses move at a fast rate. Most take seven weeks to complete. Good news if you want to finish your degree early. The fast-moving classes and summer courses shorten the time you spend in the program. WSU ranks with U.S. News. Recent rankings include:- #212 in best national schools
- #177 in best value schools
- #140 in best schools for veterans
#15 – University of Louisville
Online BSBA in Accountancy
Louisville, Kentucky Website Undergraduate Tuition: $12,370/year University of Louisville offers an online accounting program. You can get a BSB in Accountancy. This program mirrors the one offered on campus. In this program, you take courses that prepare you for the CPA exam. Courses help you develop your business practices and abilities. They also improve your research skills in tax and auditing. Online courses cover topics such as:- Auditing theory and practice
- Business education
- Intermediate accounting i & ii
- Managerial cost accounting
#14 – Arizona State University
Online BS in Accountancy
Tempe, Arizona Website Undergraduate Tuition: $11,348/year Arizona State University is a good school for an accounting degree. Students interested in related careers or taking the CPA exam can earn a BS in Accountancy online. The online program consists of 120 credit hours. Courses run between 7-8 weeks. They cover topics such as:- Business statistics
- Computer applications & information technology
- Enterprise process analysis & design
- Internal reporting
- Managerial accounting
#13 – Purdue University Global
Online BS in Accounting
West Lafayette, Indiana Website Undergraduate Tuition: $10,125/year Purdue University Global is an affordable school for an accounting degree. For around $10,000/year, you can earn an online BS in Accounting. The program has 10-week terms and career-focused concentrations. Online students can tailor their degrees in accounting specialties such as:- Auditing/forensic
- Managerial
- Public
- Tax
#12 – University of the Cumberlands
Online BS in Accounting
Williamsburg, Kentucky Website Undergraduate Tuition: $9,875/year The University of the Cumberlands offers an online accounting undergraduate degree that’s IACBE-accredited. The program is for students seeking a degree online that prepares them for professional accounting careers. Online courses cover business and finance topics. They also cover:- Accounting information systems
- Advanced accounting
- Federal income tax
#11 – Indiana State University
Online BS in Accounting
Terre Haute, Indiana Website Undergraduate Tuition: $9,598/year Indiana State University is an affordable school for aspiring accountants. It offers online bachelor’s degrees in accounting for those who want to become licensed certified public accountants. The program consists of 120 credit hours. But transfer students can shorten the length of time it takes to complete the total credit hours. Your online courses cover advanced topics in accounting. From accounting systems to auditing theory, you learn the skills needed to work as an expert in the field. Electives cover topics like:- Advanced federal income taxation
- Business education
- Financial reporting
#10 – University of Arkansas
Online BSBA in Accounting
Fayetteville, Arkansas Website Undergraduate Tuition: $9,574/year The University of Arkansas is a good school for students interested in learning accounting. It offers an online undergraduate accounting program. You can earn a BSBA in Accounting. The program consists of 120 credit hours. Most courses run 15 weeks, but summer courses take five weeks. Core courses and electives cover topics such as:- Accounting principles
- Data analysis & interpretation
- Financial accounting
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
#9 – University of Alabama at Birmingham
Online BS in Accounting
Birmingham, Alabama Website Undergraduate Tuition: $8,568/year The University of Alabama Birmingham is an affordable school for an online accounting degree. It offers an accounting program that prepares students for today’s competitive job market. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, this program has received a premiere stamp of approval. Only 5% of all business schools worldwide have received this accreditation. Curriculum prepares students for all types of certification exams, including:- CFE
- CIA
- CISA
- CMA
- CPA
#8 – Colorado State University Global
Online BS in Accounting
Aurora, Colorado Website Undergraduate Tuition: $8,400/year Colorado State University Global is a top-ranked school. It offers an online accounting degree for undergraduates. The program is for students seeking online learning options in accounting. In this program, you study accounting fundamentals. You also cover advanced topics you need to enter the business industry. All courses are online. It mirrors the on campus program. You take courses that cover a wide range of topics. These include:- Accounting theory
- Intermediate accounting in practice
- Legal and ethical issues in business
#7 – Bellevue University
Online BS in Accounting
Bellevue, Nebraska Website Undergraduate Tuition: $8,310/year Bellevue University is an affordable college for an accounting degree. It offers a BS in Accounting that you can earn online. The program prepares students for careers in many business industries. It also teaches students what they need to know to get into a graduate business or accounting program. Courses you take online cover topics such as:- Financial accounting
- Financial statements
- Managerial accounting
- Principles of marketing
#6 – University of Maryland Global Campus
Online BS in Accounting
Adelphi, Maryland Website#5 – SUNY Empire State College
Online BS in Accounting
Saratoga Springs, New York Website Undergraduate Tuition: $7,630/year State University of New York, SUNY Empire offers an accredited online BS in Accounting degree. The program is for students who want to earn licensing to work as accountants. The program offers many different classes that prepare you to sit for licensing exams. You take a series of core business courses followed by advanced accounting courses. The program also helps you earn what you need to get into graduate school. Admission requires students to have a GED or high school diploma. Transfer students can transfer some of their work from a two-year institution. This include college algebra or basic business courses. The school ranks with U.S. News. Its current rankings include #133-#175 in best regional schools in the North.#4 – Western Governors University
Online BSBA in Accounting
Salt Lake City, Utah Website- Accounting information systems
- Financial accounting
- Fundamentals of Accounting
- Principles of Finance
#3 – American Public University
Online BS in Accounting
Charles Town, West Virginia Website Undergraduate Tuition: $7,360/year American Public University is an affordable school for accounting and business programs. You can earn a BS in Accounting online degree through the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business. The program teaches you both applied and theoretical accounting. It also covers business courses that teach you principles and advanced topics. You graduate ready for work in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. All courses run between eight and 16 weeks. You must finish 120 total credit hours to earn your degree. It takes about four years to finish your degree. Your courses cover topics like:- Advanced productivity applications
- Law & ethics in a business environment
#2 – Eastern New Mexico University
Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Portales, New Mexico Website Undergraduate Tuition: $6,648/year Eastern New Mexico University is an affordable school for an online accounting degree. You can earn a BBA in Accounting that prepares you for work in the field or entry to graduate school. The online BBA accounting degree program offers foundational and advanced coursework. It teaches you the basics of business while exploring deeper topics in accounting. You graduate prepared for an accounting career in many different sectors. Some students go into private business, while others seek nonprofit work. The program also prepares you for certification in relevant areas. You can sit for the following certification exams:- CFE
- CGFM
- CIA
- CMA
- CPA
#1 – Fayetteville State University
Online BS in Accounting
Fayetteville, North Carolina Website Undergraduate Tuition: $5,379/year Fayetteville State University offers an accounting program online for undergraduates. You can earn a BS in Accounting online. The accounting program covers many financial accounting topics. You take courses in finance, management, and statistics. You also learn data processing and how to audit taxes. The flexible schedule and programming appeal to working students. You work at your own pace. You also have start times that bend with your schedule. You don’t have to show up for class at a particular time. As a school that is part of the UNC System, it is accredited and ranked. FSU ranks with U.S. News as the 72nd best regional school in the South. It also has the most affordable options with generous financial aid awards for qualifying students. _____________Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with an online BBA in Accounting?
Business schools around the country offer accounting degrees. But some offer a combination of business and accounting degree. This is called a BBA or BSBA in Accounting. A BBA or BSBA is a business degree with an accounting focus. Some college graduates with this degree go to work for financial institutions. Others work for government agencies or branch out on their own to launch a business. But most with these degrees find work as:- Accountants
- Auditors
- Financial analysts
- Personal financial advisors
7 Accounting Certifications
There are seven accounting certifications to look at as you plan your degree and career journey.- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
- CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)
- CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
- CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
What is the job outlook with an online degree in accounting?
Good news for aspiring accountants. You can expect 6% job growth through 2031 in this occupation. This means that over 136,400 job openings for accountants should result each year, over the next decade. Why? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports several reasons for growth. These include:- Economic expansion
- Job replacements
- Tax law changes
How much money can you earn with a BSBA or BBA online degree?
Earnings for accountants is higher than the average wage reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Close to $30,000 more per year! The BLS reports average wages for accountants and auditors as $77,250/year. The lowest 10% of earners in this occupation make about $48,000/year, while the highest 10% earn almost $129,000/year. That’s a wide margin, but there are ways to increase your earnings. What causes the difference in pay? Why do some accountants earn much higher wages than others?- Education level
- Geographic location
- Industry type
- Years of experience
- Finance and insurance: $79,310/year
- Management of companies and enterprises: $78,540/year
- Government: $77,290/year
- Accounting, tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll services: $77,080/year
- Washington, DC: $110,240/year
- New York: $105,790/year
- New Jersey: $97,950/year
- California: $92,840/year
- Massachusetts: $92,310/year
What classes do you take in an online accounting program?
Most online accounting programs require a wide range of courses. You take everything from college algebra to human resources. Your liberal arts courses allow you to explore different career paths. But your major requires that you take many advanced accounting courses. The best online bachelor’s degrees in accounting want about half of your courses to be in general education. You will take many humanities and social science courses. You will also explore some natural sciences and mathematics. Your accounting degree online will also cover a series of basic and advanced accounting classes. Here are a few common accounting courses found in most accounting online degree programs accredited.Accounting Information Systems
This course teaches students how to use industry-standard technological tools to perform financial tasks. You learn how to use technology and accounting software to solve problems and analyze data.Financial Accounting
This course teaches students how the accounting cycle works. You learn how to prepare statements and ensure compliance with tax laws. Some financial accounting courses require a general finance class as a prerequisite.Intermediate Accounting i & ii
Intermediate accounting is a year long course that serves as a foundation for other accounting courses to build on. This course covers accounting rules and methodologies that get more complex as the course continues.Managerial Accounting
Managerial accounting teaches you how to manage the financial records of an organization. In this course, you learn how to keep accurate records, increase profits, and improve performance.What are the most popular jobs for an online bachelor’s degree in accounting?
Graduates of accounting degree programs can work in any industry. But there are two jobs that are more common than others.Accountants
Accountants work in different organizations. They analyze financial records for companies and individuals. They also create financial statements. Their job is to ensure compliance and maximize a company’s profits. Accountants work in:- Accounting organizations
- Financial institutions
- Government agencies
Auditors
Auditors are financial specialists. They ensure the legality and validity of individual and organizational financial records. Some work as external consultants to clients, while others hold in-house positions. Work peaks during quarterly tax preparation season for auditors. But most work over 40 hours/week. BDP Staff November 2022Related Resources: