2025 Best Accounting Schools in California
58
Colleges in California
7,141
Accounting Degrees Awarded
$55,065
Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #8 in popularity,
accounting is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for accounting students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 7,141 degrees in accounting to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Accounting School
Your choice of accounting school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for accounting schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Accounting Rankings by Degree Level
The accounting school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Accounting Schools in California.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Accounting in California
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
11 Top California Schools in Accounting
Santa Clara University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in accounting. Located in the midsize city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #53 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.
There were about 104 accounting students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent data year. Those accounting students who get their degree from Santa Clara University make $23,309 more than the typical accounting grad.
More information about a degree in accounting from Santa Clara University
Every student who is interested in accounting has to check out Saint Mary's College of California. SMC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Moraga. A Best Colleges rank of #148 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SMC is a great college overall.
There were roughly 49 accounting students who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the accounting degree program at Saint Mary's College of California make $18,099 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in accounting from Saint Mary’s College of California
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Accounting
Program Name
If you have a knack for numbers and want a career that allows you to use your skills in the business field, consider the online Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program at Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BS in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
It's hard to beat Loyola Marymount University if you wish to pursue a degree in accounting. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #222 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Loyola Marymount is a great university overall.
There were about 49 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the accounting program at Loyola Marymount University make $15,895 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in accounting from Loyola Marymount University
University of San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in accounting. USD is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of San Diego. This university ranks 35th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 76 accounting students who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent year we have data available. Those accounting students who get their degree from University of San Diego earn $14,175 more than the average accounting student.
More information about a degree in accounting from University of San Diego
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
23rd
Most Popular In CA
75
Accounting Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Chula Vista, SWC Chula Vista is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #120 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SWC Chula Vista is a great college overall.
There were about 75 accounting students who graduated with this degree at SWC Chula Vista in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in accounting from Southwestern College
Located in the large city of Northridge, CSUN is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 48th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 309 accounting students who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the accounting major at California State University - Northridge earn $14,009 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in accounting from California State University - Northridge
Chapman is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Orange. A Best Colleges rank of #172 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Chapman is a great university overall.
There were about 63 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the accounting program at Chapman University get $15,297 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in accounting from Chapman University
Associates
Degree Type
AS in Accounting
Program Name
Break into the accounting field with the skills you need to succeed with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in AS in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
USFCA is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USFCA is a great university overall.
There were roughly 37 accounting students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent year we have data available. Those accounting students who get their degree from University of San Francisco make $17,523 more than the average accounting graduate.
More information about a degree in accounting from University of San Francisco
Located in the large suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #63 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Pepperdine is a great university overall.
There were approximately 15 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in accounting from Pepperdine University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
31st
Most Popular In CA
61
Accounting Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #206 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cosumnes River is a great college overall.
There were roughly 61 accounting students who graduated with this degree at Cosumnes River in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in accounting from Cosumnes River College