by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you find it fun and easy to keep track of your favorite sports team's records in order to forecast how their season is going to play out? Accountants do just that, except in the business setting. They gather information, examine records, decode, and communicate information to individuals or organizations in order to improve their financial risk and performance. A program in Accounting will prepare students to perform related business functions and practice the profession of accounting.
There are many different concentrations within this major; they include Auditing, Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Business/Management, and Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. While studying this major you will be taking courses in Business Law, Cost accounting, Tax accounting, Accounting information systems, and Auditing. This major is commonly offered as a Bachelor's degree.
Accounting was the 8th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 93,982 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Accounting Schools ranking analyzes 958 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for accounting students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of accounting programs later in this article.
Attention to detail will be a helpful skill as you work with numbers and variables that can be misinterpreted and thrown off by one mistake. Strong mathematical skills and an analytical mind will help you in both your college classes and your career.
If you have the chance, it is helpful to take courses in Business, Computer applications, Calculus, Statistics, and Microeconomics while still in high school. This program is not only offered as a Bachelor's Degree, but students can continue onto higher education and receive a Master's or Doctorate in this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most accounting degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific accounting careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different accounting degree levels. You can get anything from a in accounting to the highest accounting degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common accounting degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to accounting, with approximately 41.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to accounting tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 40.0% |
| High School Diploma | 14.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 13.8% |
| Some College Courses | 9.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.4% |
66.8% of accounting workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in accounting have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the accounting career you are seeking.
While accounting is a general topic, specialization is important. Many accountants specialize in auditing, taxes, or consulting. Depending on your focus you can become a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, or a Certified Internal Auditor. In order to become a Certified Accountant, you must take a national exam to obtain a license. Graduate can also become Budget Analysts and Financial Analysts. These Analysts create, study, and oversee the budgets and finances for organizations. The demands for these Analysts are increasing rapidly.
Want a job when you graduate with your accounting degree? Accounting careers are expected to grow 6.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to accounting.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 1,705,300 | -1.5% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 1,537,600 | 10.0% |
| Financial Managers | 689,000 | 18.7% |
| Financial Analysts | 328,200 | 10.8% |
| Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks | 164,700 | -1.0% |
Recently graduated accounting students earned an average of $56,677 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $7,035 to as high as $104,613. As you might expect, salaries for accounting graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for accounting graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers accounting grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Financial Managers | $146,830 |
| Business Professors | $103,330 |
| Financial Analysts | $100,990 |
| Financial Examiners | $90,310 |
| Credit Analysts | $82,300 |
With over 4,880 different accounting degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased accounting school rankings to help you with this.
One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Accounting has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 68,501 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 19,139 |
| Accounting and Finance | 3,781 |
| Accounting and Business/Management | 1,538 |
| Other Accounting and Related Services | 844 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 403,753 |
| General Business/Commerce | 56,779 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 54,690 |
| Marketing | 52,078 |
| Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods | 48,037 |
