Top Ranked Accounting Master’s Programs

The search for a good master’s program in relation to your field of study can be a tedious task. So many factors like tuition fees, campus environment, alumni employment rate at graduation, and individual interests are considered. In accounting, it is very important to understand the value your institution holds to your program, to ensure quality education and employment. This is why we have eased your worries and laid out the top-ranked accounting master’s programs in the United States.

Top ranked accounting programs are high-quality graduate-level programs with industry recognition, that equip students with advanced and specified knowledge of accounting. These programs build accountants with the skills to function in specific industries and markets based on students’ preferences.

Getting involved in accounting helps to build and sharpen certain skills. These top-ranked accounting master’s program widens your scope, builds specialty, and gives in-depth knowledge on how accounting works relating to some industries. Some skills you can build or develop with accounting include;

• Mathematical analysis
• Problem-solving
• Data analysis
• Critical thinking
• Leadership
• Communication
• Customer service
• Analytical thinking
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Business intelligence
• Technology intelligence

As earlier mentioned, Accounting is one of the popular majors. There are several careers one can build after studying accounting and some of them include;

• Senior Financial Analysts
• Financial Controller
• Senior Auditor
• Tax Preparer
• Accounting Manager
• Senior Accountant
• Corporate Controller
• Forensic Accountant etc.

The value of one’s certificate is sometimes traced to the institution of learning. This is why it is important to know the top master’s program in your field of choice. In this case, we are looking at accounting in the United States. According to US news and world report, these are the top-ranked accounting master’s programs;

1. McCombs School of Business. University of Texas, Austin: The McCombs School of Business ranks as the best accounting master’s program in the United States. Founded in the year 1883, the university has groomed and delivered students with good values in the business and accounting field. The university tuition includes; full-time: $53,856 per year (in-state); full-time: $58,270 per year (out-of-state); part-time: $119,925 total program (in-state); executive: $149,500 total program (in-state); specialty master’s: $48,000 total program (in-state); and specialty master’s: $53,000 total program (out-of-state). The university boasts 84.1% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
2. The Wharton School. University of Pennsylvania: The Wharton School is the world’s first business school, founded in 1881. Living through centuries, and evolving over time, the Wharton School has served as the birthplace of ideas, innovation, pacesetters, and the producer of iconic minds. Therefore, it is not surprising that the university offers one of the top-ranked accounting master’s programs. With over a hundred thousand alumni, the university offers a program in accounting that is worth every knowledge. Its tuition includes; full-time: $76,000 per year and executive: $210,900 total program. The university boasts 89.9% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
3. The Gies College of Business. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign: Founded in the year 1867, the University of Illinois makes it to third place in our ranking. The university offers over 197 master’s, which include accounting. With a variety of online and residential programs at the university, the Gies college of business is a go-to for innovative tutoring. It ranks third in the top-ranked accounting master’s program.
4. The Booth School of Business. University of Chicago: With campuses in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong, the university is widely known to embrace diversity with respect to students’ backgrounds and preferences. The university offers a master’s program in accounting, helping students to develop analytical thinking. The Booth school of business is dedicated to helping students think and develop their own free ideas and sharpening their minds. Its tuition includes; full-time: $74,919 per year; part-time: $7,492 per credit; and executive: $194,000 total program. The university boasts 88.7% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
6. The Stephen M. Ross School of Business. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: The Ross School of business is a distinguished part of the institution, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. It aims to build business leaders with life-changing insights into the business world, including accounting. The conscious efforts put in place to spread and change knowledge make it one of the top-ranked accounting master’s programs in the United States. Its tuition includes; full-time: $67,114 per year (in-state); full-time: $72,114 per year (out-of-state); part-time: $65,467 per year (in-state); part-time: $70,455 per year (out-of-state); executive: $168,500 total program (in-state); and executive: $173,500 total program (out-of-state). The university boasts 88.2% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
7. The Marriott School of Business. Brigham Young University: Sitting at number 6 is the Marriott school of business. BYU is popular for instilling faith in education, while also grooming students to become pros in their field. This includes accounting and all other programs offered at the school. Its tuition includes; full-time: $14,208 per year and executive: $50,018 total program. The university boasts 80.5% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
8. The Marshall School of Business. University of Southern California: The Marshall School of Business ranks seventh on the list of top-ranked accounting master’s programs.  The institution is renowned for creating excellent young leaders, well equipped for the industry they venture in. They also create global opportunities for their students, widening their scope of the study. Its tuition includes; full-time: $62,760 per year; part-time: $2,092 per credit; executive: $125,520 total program; and specialty master’s: $2,092 per credit. The university boasts 78.6% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
9. The Kelley School of Business. Indiana University: The Kelly school of business boasts of nurturing excellence and greatness in students of diverse cultures, races, and ethnicities which can be seen in their alumni. In 2022, six of Kelley’s alumni were mentioned on the list of the most influential black executives. This amongst many other achievements highlights their excellent, innovative curriculum to equip young leaders in business, accounting inclusive. Its tuition includes; full-time: $28,143 per year (in-state); full-time: $52,483 per year (out-of-state); part-time: $23,544 per year (in-state); and part-time: $39,339 per year (out-of-state). The university boasts 79.3% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
10. Stanford University: Stanford University offers a master’s program in accounting. The university’s aim is to build young people with great ideas that will change the stereotypical view of business, accounting, and management. Its tuition is full-time: $74,706 per year. The university boasts 71.5% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.
11. The Kenan-Flagler Business School. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: The Kenan-Flagler business school emphasizes the importance of developing and nurturing young leaders in businesses. The institution offers master’s programs in accounting, with options for full-time, online, and executive tutoring. Its tuition includes; full-time: $48,051 per year (in-state) and full-time: $63,740 per year (out-of-state).  The university boasts 77.2% employment of full-time programs students at graduation.

These are the top-ranked accounting master’s programs in the United States. These institutions are highly ranked based on academic excellence, employment percentage, acceptance of student diversity, and global opportunities for students. They help to grow students for the accounting industry, teaching them to be well-equipped for changes in the industry. Some of these changes may be geographical or technological.