Choosing the Right Degree Program in Accounting

Colleges and universities offer many types of undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting. These options include generalized programs that develop versatile skills as well as specialized concentrations that focus on specific accounting concepts.

As a student, think about your long-term plans before enrolling in an accounting program. Consider career paths and future education that each option helps prepare you for.

This guide can provide a blueprint for choosing the right degree in accounting. It covers:

Review this page to learn how to identify programs that support the outcomes you want from your accounting degree.

Accounting programs operate across four main levels:

Certificate programs generally prepare you for future learning or enhance your current knowledge. Predegree certificates offer survey-style introductions to major accounting concepts, generally appealing to students with little to no accounting experience. Postdegree certificate programs usually build on existing accounting and business skills, targeting specific areas of academic or professional interest.

If you prefer a more immersive, comprehensive learning experience for career-oriented learners, a degree in accounting may be a better option. Undergraduate degrees like associate-level programs build broad, well-rounded skill sets, while bachelor’s degrees in accounting generally serve as the minimum education you need to qualify for careers with advancement potential.

Graduate degrees in accounting target niche concentrations. These programs develop advanced skills and technical proficiencies. Working professionals can pursue master’s programs to build their expertise and qualify for upper-level jobs, including management roles. Some schools also offer doctoral degrees in accounting, though these programs mainly appeal to aspiring researchers and academics.

Learn about certificates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and more:

Accounting programs can lead to various degree designations. For example, a bachelor’s program can lead to a bachelor of arts (BA), science (BS), or accountancy (BAcc).

These designations offer clues about the program’s curricular emphasis. Arts designations typically indicate a more interdisciplinary orientation. Science designations usually emphasize quantitative and analytical skills, while accountancy designations tend to focus on technical accounting concepts and principles.

You can also pursue generalized or specialized degrees in accounting. Generalist programs build versatile, transferable skills, while specializations build knowledge in specific subfields. Examples of concentration tracks in accounting programs include:

Pay attention to program names. For example, a bachelor of science in forensic accounting is not the same as a bachelor of science in accounting with a forensic accounting concentration. The former usually denotes a specialized degree for people who want to work in financial crime investigation, while the latter typically suits the needs of prospective accountants with an interest in auditing and records examination.

In addition to traditional on-campus programs, students can pursue online accounting degrees. Typically, accounting coursework translates well to online learning environments. However, be aware that distance education is not a match for everyone. It requires high levels of independence and time management, so students who need more structure and person-to-person interaction may prefer the traditional classroom model.

If you do pursue an online degree, also research whether programs use synchronous or asynchronous courses. Synchronous classes meet at set times, with instructors delivering live learning sessions. Asynchronous courses use prerecorded lectures and seminars and may require weekly or monthly deadlines for work. Generally, asynchronous classes offer the most flexibility.

You can also enroll in both regularly paced and accelerated programs. Some accelerated programs lead to dual degrees such as a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting, or two master’s degrees in complementary areas. Accelerated and dual-degree programs can save you time and money as you complete your programs, but they also demand intensive effort.

Find out more about accelerated degree programs:

Location mainly matters to campus-based students, though you should also consider how it could affect you as an online learner, since some distance education programs require on-campus classes or residencies. College campuses can be urban or rural, with schools located in major cities and smaller towns. These settings can impact your learning experience, so consider your personal preferences.

If you plan to learn online, know that the school’s location can affect your accounting career eligibility. For example, a Connecticut-based school may design its online accounting program to meet the educational requirements for a certified public accounting license in that state. However, if you live in New Jersey, you may have different licensing requirements, which your Connecticut-based program may not satisfy.

Also, consider size: Larger schools tend to have more resources, while smaller ones often have a more close-knit community. Most sources define a “small” school as an institution with 5,000 students or fewer and a “large” one as a school with a student body of at least 15,000 learners.

Always confirm a school’s institutional accreditation status with the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. You must attend a properly accredited institution to qualify for federal financial aid and to ensure the transferability and recognition of the credits you earn.

Some degrees in accounting hold specialized programmatic accreditation from organizations like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs or AACSB. This status can indicate a department’s commitment to profession-based learning outcomes and continuous academic improvement, but this accreditation pathway is optional.

School reputation is subjective by nature, but it may impact your future educational and career opportunities. Features of reputable schools include:

If you are not sure about a school’s reputation, use tools like the College Navigator to do more research.

Costs heavily influence many students’ educational choices. In general, you can save money by attending a public institution as an in-state student or by studying online at schools that charge lower tuition for distance education.

Remember to factor financial aid into your cost calculations. Schools with higher base costs, such as private institutions, sometimes have more generous aid programs that can sharply reduce your out-of-pocket spending.

On the topic of financial aid: Always look first to nonrepayable sources like scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Fall back on federal or private loans if you need to, but minimize your borrowing to reduce your debt burden.

The links below offer further financial aid information specific to degrees in accounting:

The College Navigator tool also publishes data on acceptance and retention rates. These metrics may impact your learning experience, so it helps to understand what they mean.

Acceptance rates show the percentage of applicants who receive an offer of admission. More selective schools have lower acceptance rates, while more inclusive schools have higher ones.

People often associate lower acceptance rates with higher academic quality, but this oversimplifies the issue. Low acceptance rates can also signal higher demand due to limited postsecondary options in a particular geographic area. Less reputable schools may also seek to attract a high volume of applications for the spaces they have available to manipulate acceptance rate data and appear more selective.

A retention rate indicates the percentage of students who continue in a program after starting it. Higher retention rates generally correlate with higher levels of student satisfaction with the program and increased levels of institutional support for enrollees.

Many colleges publish student-teacher ratio data, which indicates how many students an institution has for each faculty member. If available, you can look for information on average class sizes in the school’s accounting department or courses, as these data points may offer a more relevant perspective. Smaller classes generally offer more personalized learning experiences, including increased chances of one-on-one interactions with instructors and peers.

Similarly, you may want to know how many of your professors hold terminal degrees — for accounting, this means a Ph.D. However, remember that accounting professionals sometimes transition into teaching after working in the private or public sectors. Their experiential insights may be valuable even if they do not have a doctorate.

Many degrees in accounting offer experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and practicums. These components can help you build important soft skills, network with potential employers, and get a better feel for the day-to-day realities of an accounting career.

Internships and practicums are most often found in on-campus programs, but some online degrees may offer these opportunities, too. Research these requirements carefully, especially if you enroll online from another state: Geography can limit the amount of placement support the school can provide.

Graduate accounting programs sometimes feature teaching assistantship or fellowship opportunities, which help you gain experience while reducing your schooling costs. However, they can carry significant time commitments.

For many students, extracurricular activities are an important element of campus life. They can enhance your social and intellectual growth, so you may want to compare available groups and programs at the schools on your list.

School and program culture can also influence your student experience and learning outcomes. Business and accounting programs often have academically competitive cultures, but some schools deliberately foster collaborative relationships in their cohorts. Consider your preferences and see what past students have to say about a program’s culture as you weigh your options.

Graduation rates specify the percentage of students who complete a program after starting it. Unusually high or low graduation rates can indicate desirable or undesirable program characteristics, respectively. Evaluate graduation rates in context, considering other factors like the school’s reputation.

For instance, atypically low graduation rates may mean that students underperform relative to faculty expectations due to challenging academic content. However, they may also indicate the school does not provide students with adequate academic success resources.

Conversely, high graduation rates may mean the program lacks academic rigor and delivers less educational value, or that the school has a positive learning environment with excellent support services.

In addition to considering graduation rates in context, look at peer institutions when making direct comparisons between programs. This evaluation can help you draw more accurate insights.

Some colleges do a better job than others of connecting students with employment opportunities. While degrees in accounting are generally marketable, many learners appreciate schools that offer more complete career services.

Look for:

If possible, find out how many students land in-field employment after graduating. Compare institutional data to nationwide averages: The National Association of Colleges and Employers’ interactive First Destinations research tool can help.