by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,934 U.S. colleges awarded 86,793 degrees and certificates in Accounting. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,210 schools in its 2027 Best Accounting Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,771 one year after completing, rising to $76,172 after four years.
Do 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.
A degree in Accounting explores Accounting And Related Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, accounting draws strong interest, with 86,793 degrees awarded annually. 1,934 colleges award accounting degrees, an average of 45 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,297.
By level, the 86,793 awards include 4,270 certificates, 10,672 associate degrees, 44,283 bachelor’s degrees, 26,906 master’s degrees and 38 doctorates.
Women earned 57% of accounting degrees and certificates in the latest year (49,528 of 86,793). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (46,440) and Hispanic or Latino (16,381), and international students earned 2,839.
College Factual ranks 1,210 schools in its 2027 Best Accounting Schools ranking, including 332 for associate degrees, 722 for bachelor’s degrees and 288 for master’s degrees. It also ranks accounting schools within 54 states. In all, 1,934 colleges offer accounting programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Accounting Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common accounting credential is the bachelor’s degree: 44,283 of the 86,793 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to accounting call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Economics and Accounting, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
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.
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How long an accounting degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4,270 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10,672 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 44,283 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26,906 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 38 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to accounting, at 42.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 14.2% |
| Master’s degree | 9.8% |
| Some college courses | 9.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| First professional degree | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
17 occupations are related to Accounting, with an average median salary of $89,990; the strongest outlook belongs to Investment Fund Managers, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Revenue Audit Clerk, Accounting Associate, Chart Clerk and Chart Calculator.
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.
The occupation related to accounting with the most projected jobs is Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, at 1,690,967.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 1,690,967 | 13.5% |
| Statistical Assistants | 1,573,967 | 6.9% |
| Brokerage Clerks | 1,304,264 | 6.2% |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | 554,994 | -0.7% |
| Budget Analysts | 509,913 | -2.6% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 388,087 | 3.0% |
Accounting graduates earn a median $57,771 one year after completing their program, $76,172 after four years and $71,293 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,771 |
| 4 years | $76,172 |
| 5 years | $71,293 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to accounting is Treasurers and Controllers, with a median salary of $162,461.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Financial Examiners | $117,139 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Budget Analysts | $80,859 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
Accounting includes 6 concentrations that together award 86,793 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Accounting (62,166), Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping (18,457) and Accounting and Finance (3,827). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 797,356 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298) and Business/Commerce, General (61,663). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 62,166 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 18,457 |
| Accounting and Finance | 3,827 |
| Accounting and Business/Management | 1,488 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 646 |
| Auditing | 209 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Marketing | 56,635 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,200 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 12,764 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
