Top 10 Universities for Accounting
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Universities for Accounting
Direct Answer
The Best Overall university for accounting is the University of Texas at Austin, whose McCombs School of Business has held the No. 1 accounting ranking in the country for decades, with elite CPA placement and Big Four recruiting. The Best Value pick is Brigham Young University, whose Marriott School pairs a top-ranked accounting program with strikingly low tuition and outstanding CPA pass rates.
This list serves students and families choosing where to study accounting in the United States, weighing program reputation, CPA outcomes, and recruiting. Every figure below comes from public sources including U.S. News, the AICPA, and each program.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighed each program against what accounting students and recruiters care about, using published data from U.S. News (undergraduate accounting specialty), Public Accounting Report, AICPA CPA exam pass-rate data, and each school. The weighting:
- Accounting program reputation 25%
- CPA exam pass rates 20%
- Big Four and corporate recruiting 20%
- Faculty and research strength 15%
- Value relative to cost 10%
- Graduate outcomes and placement 10%
These rankings reflect the U.S. News undergraduate accounting specialty list and the Public Accounting Report survey, both long-standing standards in the field.
1. University of Texas at Austin 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Public, McCombs School of Business | In-state tuition: about $11,700 | Best for: Students targeting the nation's top accounting program and Big Four careers
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin has ranked No. 1 in accounting in the U.S. News undergraduate specialty rankings for more than two decades. Its integrated five-year Master in Professional Accounting (iMPA) lets students earn the credits needed for CPA licensure efficiently, and graduates post strong CPA exam pass rates and near-total placement into the Big Four and major corporations.
McCombs enrolls a large undergraduate business cohort and benefits from a powerful Texas alumni network.
Pros:
- Long-running No. 1 accounting ranking
- Integrated five-year CPA-ready pathway
- Elite Big Four recruiting and alumni reach
Cons:
- Highly competitive admission into McCombs
- Out-of-state tuition is far higher
McCombs enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduate business students and admits the Texas CPA-track cohort each year through a competitive internal process. Its accounting faculty publishes heavily in the top journals, and the school reports that the vast majority of MPA graduates accept full-time offers, most from a Big Four firm, before they finish the program.
Verdict: The benchmark accounting program in the country and the default top choice.
2. Brigham Young University 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private, Marriott School of Business | Tuition: about $6,500 | Best for: Students wanting a top-ranked program at remarkably low cost
The Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University consistently ranks among the top five accounting programs nationally while charging tuition far below peer institutions. BYU posts some of the highest CPA exam pass rates in the country and strong Big Four placement.
Its Master of Accountancy is a feeder for elite firms, and the value proposition, top-tier outcomes at a fraction of typical private-school cost, is unmatched.
Pros:
- Top-five program at the lowest cost among elite schools
- Outstanding CPA pass rates
- Strong Big Four recruiting
Cons:
- Faith-affiliated honor code is a specific fit
- Selective admission into the program
BYU's School of Accountancy is regularly cited among the nation's highest first-time CPA pass-rate programs, frequently above 90 percent, and its Master of Accountancy admits a focused cohort each year. With tuition near $6,500 for members, well under a third of typical elite private cost, the return on investment is among the best in the country.
Verdict: The clear value leader in accounting education; our Best Value pick.
3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Type: Public, Gies College of Business | In-state tuition: about $17,000 | Best for: Students wanting deep accounting research and strong placement
The Gies College of Business at Illinois runs one of the most respected accounting programs in the country, regularly ranked in the top three. Illinois is known for rigorous coursework, a strong Master of Accounting Science (MAS), and deep research faculty, plus excellent placement into the Big Four and corporate finance.
Pros:
- Perennial top-three ranking
- Strong graduate accounting options
- Deep research faculty
Cons:
- Large class sizes
- Cold-weather campus
Gies admits a large accountancy cohort and runs both a residential Master of Accounting Science and a high-enrollment online Master of Accountancy, the iMSA, built with Deloitte and delivered through Coursera, which has expanded access well beyond campus. Illinois faculty rank among the most-published accounting researchers in the country.
Verdict: A research-rich, top-three program with excellent placement.
4. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
Type: Private, Wharton School | Tuition: about $63,000 | Best for: Students wanting an elite, finance-adjacent accounting program
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania offers a highly ranked accounting concentration within the nation's most prestigious undergraduate business program. Wharton accounting students benefit from elite recruiting across both public accounting and high finance, and the Ivy League brand carries weight nationally.
Pros:
- Ivy League prestige and elite recruiting
- Strong finance crossover for accounting majors
- Powerful alumni network
Cons:
- Very high tuition
- Extremely selective admission
Verdict: The premier choice for students who want accounting alongside elite finance options.
5. University of Michigan (Ross)
Type: Public, Ross School of Business | In-state tuition: about $17,500 | Best for: Students wanting a top public business school with strong accounting
The Ross School of Business at Michigan pairs a highly ranked accounting program with one of the strongest overall business schools in the country. Ross emphasizes experiential learning, and its accounting graduates place well into the Big Four and corporate roles.
Pros:
- Top public business school overall
- Strong experiential curriculum
- Excellent corporate recruiting
Cons:
- Competitive admission into Ross
- Higher out-of-state cost
Verdict: A top-tier all-around business school with a strong accounting track.
6. University of Notre Dame (Mendoza)
Type: Private, Mendoza College of Business | Tuition: about $62,000 | Best for: Students wanting a values-driven, top-ranked accounting program
The Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame is regularly ranked among the nation's best for accounting, with strong CPA outcomes, an ethics-forward curriculum, and a famously loyal alumni network that drives recruiting.
Pros:
- Top-ranked accounting program
- Strong ethics and values focus
- Devoted alumni network
Cons:
- High private tuition
- Selective admission
Verdict: A standout for students who want rigor paired with a values-driven culture.
7. University of Southern California (Marshall)
Type: Private, Leventhal School of Accounting | Tuition: about $66,000 | Best for: West Coast students targeting Big Four and entertainment-finance careers
The Leventhal School of Accounting within USC's Marshall School is a dedicated accounting school, a rarity, with a top national ranking, strong West Coast Big Four recruiting, and unique access to entertainment-industry finance.
Pros:
- Dedicated accounting school with focused resources
- Strong West Coast recruiting
- Access to entertainment-finance niche
Cons:
- Very high tuition
- Costly Los Angeles area
Verdict: The leading West Coast accounting program for Big Four and industry careers.
8. Indiana University (Kelley)
Type: Public, Kelley School of Business | In-state tuition: about $11,500 | Best for: Students wanting a top program at strong value
The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University runs a highly ranked accounting program with strong CPA outcomes and excellent corporate recruiting, all at relatively moderate tuition for a top-tier business school.
Pros:
- Top-ranked program at good value
- Strong corporate recruiting
- Large, supportive business school
Cons:
- Large introductory classes
- Selective direct admission
Verdict: An excellent value among elite accounting programs.
9. Ohio State University (Fisher)
Type: Public, Fisher College of Business | In-state tuition: about $12,500 | Best for: Midwest students wanting a strong public program
The Fisher College of Business at Ohio State offers a well-ranked accounting program with solid CPA pass rates, deep Midwest corporate connections, and a large alumni base that supports recruiting across the region.
Pros:
- Strong public program
- Deep Midwest corporate ties
- Large alumni network
Cons:
- Very large campus
- Less national reach than the top names
Verdict: A strong, affordable public option for Midwest accounting students.
10. University of Florida (Warrington)
Type: Public, Fisher School of Accounting | In-state tuition: about $6,400 | Best for: Florida students wanting a top program at very low in-state cost
The Fisher School of Accounting within UF's Warrington College runs a top-ranked, dedicated accounting program with strong CPA outcomes and one of the lowest in-state tuition rates among elite programs.
Pros:
- Dedicated accounting school
- Very low in-state tuition
- Strong CPA placement
Cons:
- Highly competitive admission
- Out-of-state cost less favorable
Verdict: An outstanding value for Florida residents pursuing accounting.
What to Look For When Choosing an Accounting Program
- CPA exam pass rates Programs like BYU and Texas post high first-time pass rates; ask each school for its data.
- 150-credit pathway Most states require 150 credit hours for CPA licensure; integrated five-year programs streamline this.
- Big Four and corporate recruiting Check which firms recruit on campus and at what scale.
- AACSB accreditation Top programs hold separate AACSB accounting accreditation, a meaningful quality signal.
- Value Public flagships like UT Austin, Florida, and Indiana, plus BYU, deliver elite outcomes at far lower cost than private peers.
FAQ
What is the best university for accounting? The University of Texas at Austin, through its McCombs School of Business, is widely regarded as the best for accounting, holding the No. 1 U.S. News undergraduate accounting ranking for more than two decades with elite CPA and Big Four outcomes.
Which accounting program offers the best value? Brigham Young University offers the best value, combining a consistent top-five accounting ranking and outstanding CPA pass rates with tuition far below peer institutions.
Do I need a master's degree to become a CPA? Most states require 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam, more than a typical four-year bachelor's. Many top schools offer integrated five-year programs or a Master of Accountancy to meet that requirement efficiently.
Which schools have the highest CPA exam pass rates? Brigham Young University and the University of Texas at Austin consistently report some of the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates, with several other top-ten programs close behind.
Is a dedicated accounting school better than a general business program? Schools like USC Leventhal and Florida Fisher operate dedicated accounting schools with focused faculty and resources. Many top programs sit within broader business schools and place just as well; program reputation and recruiting matter more than structure.
How much does a top accounting degree cost? In-state tuition at public flagships runs roughly $6,400 at Florida and $11,500 to $17,500 at Texas, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois, while private programs like Wharton, Notre Dame, and USC charge $62,000 to $66,000 per year before aid.
BYU sits near $6,500 for members, the lowest among the elite private options.
Which accounting programs recruit best with the Big Four? Texas, BYU, Illinois, Notre Dame, USC, and Indiana all post strong Big Four placement, with on-campus recruiting from Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG.
Bottom Line
The strongest accounting programs combine top reputations with high CPA pass rates and deep Big Four recruiting. UT Austin is the clear benchmark, BYU delivers elite outcomes at unmatched value, and public flagships like Florida, Indiana, and Illinois offer top results at moderate cost.
Weigh CPA pass rates, the 150-credit pathway, and recruiting strength against tuition, and choose the program whose outcomes and culture fit your goals.
Sources
- U.S. News Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs
- AICPA CPA Exam information
- Public Accounting Report rankings
- University of Texas McCombs School of Business
- BYU Marriott School of Business
- University of Illinois Gies College of Business
- USC Leventhal School of Accounting
- AACSB accreditation
*Universities for accounting review best accounting programs, college rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students.*