Best Accounting Schools by Graduate Salary & ROI (2026)

714 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score · Updated 2026

These are the top schools offering Accounting, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. The score combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and return on tuition investment. The average Accounting graduate earns $53,725/yr across 714 schools.

What do Accounting graduates do? See career paths and salaries →

Why Binghamton is #1: The NYC "Big Four" Pipeline

Binghamton University's top rank isn't an accident; it's a result of geography and reputation. As a "Public Ivy" with a top-tier School of Management, Binghamton is a primary recruiting ground for the "Big Four" accounting firms. Its proximity to New York City creates a direct pipeline for students into high-paying internships and jobs in the world's largest financial market, driving graduate earnings to an impressive $74,151 per year.

The Public School Uprising: ROI Trumps Prestige

The top of this list is dominated by large public universities like #3 Cal State Northridge and #5 University of Florida, not expensive private schools. This is because accounting is a skills-based profession where the CPA license is the great equalizer. Employers value the consistent, work-ready talent produced by these affordable powerhouses, allowing graduates to achieve exceptional outcomes—like a 30.8x ROI at CSUN—without the burden of private school debt.

AI Won't Kill the Accountant—It Will Evolve the Job

The 100% high-risk rating for AI exposure sounds alarming, but it signals a shift, not an end. AI is automating routine tasks like data entry and reconciliation, making the rote parts of the job obsolete. For graduates in 2026, this means your value will come from interpreting AI-driven analysis, advising on complex financial strategy, and auditing the automated systems themselves. The degree is more critical than ever, but it's now a ticket to a career in strategy, not just calculation.

The Ohio Anomaly: A Blueprint for Regional Success

The appearance of four Ohio University regional campuses in the top 20 reveals a powerful model for accessible, high-value education. These campuses offer a standardized, high-quality accounting curriculum that delivers identical, impressive outcomes: $61,856 in earnings and a 31.4x ROI for a low tuition of just $24,712. This system-wide approach proves that a top-tier education with a clear path to financial security doesn't have to be confined to a flagship university in a major city.

Programs Ranked
714
Avg Earnings
$53,725/yr
Avg DW Score
69/100
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure

All Accounting Programs Ranked

Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 Binghamton University
Vestal, NY · Public
87
83–89
$74,151/yr 22.9x
2 Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Private nonprofit
87
84–89
$68,393/yr 40.3x
3 California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
86
83–88
$68,904/yr 30.8x
4 University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
86
82–88
$69,821/yr 20.6x
5 University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
85
82–87
$65,144/yr 33.7x
6 SUNY Oneonta
Oneonta, NY · Public
85
82–87
$63,674/yr 24.8x
7 The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
85
82–87
$68,082/yr 19.5x
8 University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
85
82–87
$68,909/yr 20.4x
9 University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK · Public
84
81–86
$65,560/yr 25.2x
10 San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
84
81–86
$57,157/yr 28.2x
11 University of Delaware
Newark, DE · Public
84
81–86
$71,491/yr 15.5x
12 Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL · Public
84
80–86
$55,626/yr 38.5x
13 University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
84
81–86
$64,058/yr 19.4x
14 Brigham Young University-Idaho
Rexburg, ID · Private nonprofit
84
81–86
$56,800/yr 45.5x
15 University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
84
81–86
$65,373/yr 19.7x
16 SUNY College at Geneseo
Geneseo, NY · Public
84
80–85
$61,687/yr 23.0x
17 Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public
84
81–85
$61,856/yr 31.4x
18 Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH · Public
84
81–85
$61,856/yr 31.4x
19 Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public
84
81–85
$61,856/yr 31.4x
20 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public
84
81–85
$61,856/yr 31.4x
21 Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public
84
81–85
$61,856/yr 31.4x
22 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK · Public
84
81–86
$62,930/yr 22.5x
23 Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
84
81–86
$67,186/yr 18.3x
24 Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
84
81–85
$63,021/yr 21.1x
25 California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Public
84
81–86
$63,366/yr 25.3x
26 California State University-Chico
Chico, CA · Public
83
80–85
$60,606/yr 23.9x
27 San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA · Public
83
80–85
$60,607/yr 26.9x
28 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
83
80–85
$74,731/yr 14.1x
29 University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO · Public
83
80–85
$65,057/yr 16.1x
30 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY · Public
83
80–85
$54,281/yr 28.8x
31 University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT · Public
83
79–84
$60,992/yr 21.2x
32 Weber State University
Ogden, UT · Public
83
80–85
$62,257/yr 29.7x
33 George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
83
80–85
$67,291/yr 15.8x
34 James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
83
79–85
$71,563/yr 15.3x
35 University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ · Public
82
78–83
$60,659/yr 15.9x
36 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR · Public
82
79–84
$57,535/yr 21.0x
37 Florida International University
Miami, FL · Public
82
79–84
$54,963/yr 29.5x
38 University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL · Public
82
79–84
$58,514/yr 29.3x
39 University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public
82
79–84
$61,088/yr 19.9x
40 University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD · Public
82
79–84
$58,863/yr 23.2x
41 Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD · Public
82
79–84
$62,889/yr 18.6x
42 Towson University
Towson, MD · Public
82
79–83
$64,012/yr 17.2x
43 University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public
82
79–83
$67,574/yr 13.3x
44 University of Mississippi
University, MS · Public
82
79–84
$59,123/yr 20.8x
45 University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, NV · Public
82
79–84
$59,218/yr 21.5x
46 Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ · Public
82
79–84
$56,988/yr 28.4x
47 The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ · Public
82
78–84
$74,403/yr 12.2x
48 University at Albany
Albany, NY · Public
82
79–84
$55,124/yr 21.4x
49 North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
82
79–84
$56,606/yr 22.5x
50 Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
82
79–84
$62,399/yr 16.4x

Scores calculated using College Scorecard, BLS, and AI task-exposure data. See full methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Accounting?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score, Binghamton University ranks #1 for Accounting with a score of 87/100 and graduate earnings of $74,151/yr.
How much do Accounting graduates earn?
Across 714 schools, Accounting graduates earn an average of $53,725/yr in their first year. The highest-earning program reports $89,564/yr.
Is Accounting a good major for AI resistance?
Accounting has an average AI task exposure of 63%, rated "Very High". This field has significant AI exposure. Check individual program pages for scenario analysis.

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