Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

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Updated October 5, 2023

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The best accounting schools in Pennsylvania offer many options for students to earn undergraduate or graduate degrees. Learn more about the top accounting schools in Pennsylvania offering two- or four-year, online or in-person programs.

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Pennsylvania is one of the most historic states in the U.S. Founded by Quakers in the late 17th century, it even hosted the first Continental Congress in 1774. Today, the Keystone State maintains its reputation as a business center, as it is home to a diverse breadth of industries and the sixth-highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the United States.

Earning an accounting degree in Pennsylvania is a smart career move. With too few new certified public accountants (CPAs) licensed in the last three years to meet demand, accountants are sought after by businesses, government organizations, and individuals across the state. So, if you complete your two- or four-year degree at one of the state's many institutions of higher learning, you'll have a built-in network that can help you make decisions to develop your career.

There are many accounting opportunities to choose from after you complete a degree program. Graduates with associate degrees can pursue jobs as bookkeeping and auditing clerks, while bachelor's degree-holders can find work as securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents or compliance officers. After completing master's degrees, professionals can secure high-paying jobs as accountants and auditors, financial managers, or personal financial advisors.

Pennsylvania at a Glance

Pennsylvania Statistics
Population 12,964,056
Climate

Average Annual Temperature: 48.8 F

Annual Precipitation: 42.9 inches

Major Sports Teams Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates
Number of Higher Learning Institutions 187
Per Capita Income $37,725
Fortune 500 Companies 24
Accountants in Pennsylvania 55,210
Sources: U.S. Census, Current Results, NCES, Statista, BLS

Why Go to College for Accounting in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is a highly educated state with nearly 20% of adults over 25 holding bachelor's degrees and almost 13% holding master's degrees, according to U.S. Census data. The state also has 187 institutions of higher learning, ranging from two-year community colleges to the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. The state offers accounting students plenty of choices: public and private schools, two-year vs. four-year universities, and online vs. hybrid vs. in-person course delivery.

Attending college in Pennsylvania may give you a leg up on others who also want to become accountants in the state's big cities. Many college graduates in the Northeast want to live in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In a recent survey by Handshake, 76% of students graduating from Northeastern colleges wanted to stay in the Northeast. Within this 76%, Pittsburgh was the fifth-most desirable city and Philadelphia was the eighth.

To make yourself even more desirable for accounting jobs in these cities, you may want to attend college in Pennsylvania. If you do, you may be able to secure an internship that will help you make connections at accounting firms or other organizations. In 2021, Forbes reported that networking helps individuals land more than 80% of jobs, so you may want to start early.

Even if you don't envision yourself in a big city, accountants are in short supply across Pennsylvania. Your college or graduate school peers may start landing accounting jobs that will, in turn, help you grow your career.

Education Statistics for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Education Statistics
Higher Education Statistics Pennsylvania Data National Data
Four-Year Colleges 129 2,520
Two-Year Colleges 58 1,216
Students Enrolled in Distance Education 44.8% 72.8%
Postsecondary Education Appropriations per Full-Time Student $6,097 $9,327
Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education $16,947 $15,959
Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree 8.6% 8.6%
Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor's Degree 19.5% 20.2%
Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree or Higher 12.8% 12.7%
Sources: NCES, SHEEO, U.S. Census ACS

Accreditation for Pennsylvania Schools

Postsecondary institutions need to be accredited to ensure they are meeting quality standards achieved by similar colleges or universities. When a degree-granting institution is not accredited, it has not met the evaluation criteria set by a neutral party. Pennsylvania colleges and universities are evaluated by the accrediting body Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

There are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation involves evaluating a college or university as a complete entity. Programmatic accreditation focuses on a single program and deems that graduates are prepared for roles in a specific field. Some graduate schools seek accounting program accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), for example.

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Delivery Formats for an Accounting Degree in Pennsylvania

Choosing the right accounting school in Pennsylvania is a different process for each student. Some prioritize institutions' prestige or graduate placement, while others care more about cost or the time it takes to earn a degree.

But students aspiring to land accounting jobs in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh should also consider which delivery format works best for them. There are three common degree delivery formats: in person, online, and hybrid. Some programs require students to take all their classes on campus, while others meet entirely online.

A hybrid program involves taking classes both on campus and online. Sometimes, a single class is a hybrid if it has in-person sessions as well as online coursework. A program is also considered hybrid if students can choose to take some of their classes in person and some of them online.

On-Campus Programs

Some students choose to attend accounting programs at traditional, on-campus colleges in Pennsylvania. More than half of students in Pennsylvania enroll in on-campus programs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

In this type of program, you'll have more opportunities to connect with your professors and peers face to face. On the other hand, this delivery method may be difficult for working or nontraditional students, as well as parents, since on-campus programs often require commuting or even residency.

Online Programs

Online programs give students more flexibility about when and how they will complete their coursework. Over 17% of college students in Pennsylvania enrolled in fully online classes in 2021, per NCES.

Though some online courses have virtual meetings, students who study in fully online programs do not have to commute or meet a residency requirement. However, online programs may make it more difficult for students to connect with their professors or peers, so less outgoing students may find it difficult to grow a network that would help them become accountants in Pennsylvania.

Hybrid Programs

Hybrid programs combine online and in-person learning. Sometimes, this combination is in a single class that has fewer in-person sessions. Alternatively, a program may be called "hybrid" if students can choose to take online or in-person classes. Over one-quarter of Pennsylvania college students undertook a hybrid program of study in 2021, according to NCES.

Hybrid programs are sometimes considered the best of both worlds in that they combine the best aspects of the other types of delivery methods. However, some of the problems that may arise in both in-person and online learning may crop up in this modality, as well.

Paying for Your Accounting Degree

Whether you plan to enroll in a public or private school, paying for college can be daunting. However, students do not have to pay for their education out of pocket. There are many financial aid options to help you fund your education.

Grants, for instance, are a type of financial aid that only need to be repaid if you finish your program or meet other requirements. Postsecondary institutions and companies also offer scholarships, typically based on merit or field of study, that don't need to be repaid.

Students can also take out loans that they will eventually need to pay back, with interest, after they finish their degree. Colleges and universities often offer students loans as part of their financial aid packages.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Public colleges offer lower tuition costs for students who live in the same state. Students attending public universities out of state are typically charged considerably more. In order to become a resident of Pennsylvania, you must live in the state for at least 12 months before enrolling at a postsecondary institution.

Some states offer tuition reciprocity where students from nearby states can receive in-state tuition. However, Pennsylvania doesn't participate in any such agreements with neighboring states, meaning that only state residents are eligible to pay lower tuition rates.

However, students from the nearby states of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia may be able to secure grants or funding offered by their own state governments to attend postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania.

Cost of Living in Pennsylvania

Students may face additional costs to attend college beyond tuition, including room and board, food, and other necessities. So, prospective learners may want to take a state's cost of living into account when choosing colleges.

Pennsylvania's cost of living index is 102.5 in comparison with the national number of 100. This means that basic expenses in the state are slightly more expensive than average. To add context to this figure, a state with a 200 cost of living index would be twice as expensive as the national average.

Careers for Accounting Graduates in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania bills itself as having the most diverse state industry in the United States. Some of the state's top industries requiring accountants at various stages in their careers include advanced manufacturing, food processing and manufacturing, energy production and transition, corporate headquarters, life sciences and medical technology, distribution and logistics, plastics and chemicals, and robotics and AI.

Accountants are highly sought after in Pennsylvania. A long-term accountant shortage has been driving steep competition for talent for several years. In 2022, the number of newly accredited certified public accountants did not fill the roles left open by retirees. That year, only 25,000 people became CPAs in the state, a number that has remained stagnant since 2019. To attract talent, firms, especially large ones, are boosting accountant pay and job flexibility options.

If you are interested in working in accounting firms, most of the larger ones are in bigger cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, however, one of the top 100 accounting firms by net revenue is in the small city of Lancaster.

Popular Accounting Jobs in Philadelphia

Bookkeeping and Auditing Clerks

Bookkeepers create and manage financial records for organizations, while auditors check company data for risk and inaccuracies. Philadelphia is the state's commerce hub, requiring many bookkeepers and auditing clerks. However, the state is projected to require 2.8% fewer bookkeeping and auditing clerks from 2020-2030.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2020-2030): -2.8%

Accountants and Auditors

Individuals in these roles collect financial data, counsel organizations and individuals, and assess financial statements. As one of the largest cities in the United States, Philadelphia requires a significant number of accountants and auditors for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. Pennsylvania as a whole is projected to see an increase of 7.1% in the number of accountant and auditor roles from 2020 to 2030.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2020-2030): 7.1%

Financial Managers

Financial managers are high-level executives at companies and nonprofits. Often requiring master's degrees, individuals in these roles monitor organizations' financial health and develop strategies to increase profits. With its 13 Fortune 500 companies, Philadelphia is a desirable city for aspiring financial managers to build their careers.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2020-2030): 18.2%

Pennsylvania Employment Trends

Projected Job Growth for Accountants
Job Availability Pennsylvania National
2020 Employment 55,210 1,392,2500
2030 Projected Employment 59,120 1,488,200
Projected Job Growth, 2020-30 7.1% +6.9%
Source: Projections Central
Accounting Salaries by Career — Associate Degree Recommended
Career Pennsylvania Employment Pennsylvania Average Annual Salary National Average Annual Salary
Bookkeeping and Auditing Clerks 59,970 $46,240 $47,440
Credit Counselors 1,110 $48,930 $51,650
Payroll Clerks 6,850 $53,450 $52,300
Source: BLS OEWS
Accounting Salaries by Career — Bachelor's Degree Recommended
Career Pennsylvania Employment Pennsylvania Average Annual Salary National Average Annual Salary
Compliance Officers 12,670 $73,960 $76,980
Cost Estimators 10,090 $75,760 $76,740
Property Appraisers and Assessors 1,650 $65,610 $80,460
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents 19,160 $81,870 $100,740
Tax Examiners and Collectors 3,160 $57,400 $64,410
Tax Preparers 2,590 $55,600 $55,840
Source: BLS OEWS
Accounting Salaries by Career — Master's Degree Recommended
Career Pennsylvania Employment Pennsylvania Average Annual Salary National Average Annual Salary
Accountants and Auditors 55,210 $78,780 $86,740
Budget Analysts 1,210 $83,340 $87,680
Financial Analysts 9,980 $92,290 $108,790
Financial Managers 28,840 $149,150 $166,050
Personal Financial Advisors 11,030 $163,400 $137,740
Source: BLS OEWS

The tables above indicates that there is a need for accounting professionals at all levels in Pennsylvania. If you would like to enter the field with only an associate degree, pursuing a role as a payroll clerk in the state will earn you a higher salary ($53,450 in 2022) than the national average ($52,300, the same year), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Individuals with bachelor's degrees may want to consider roles as compliance officers, cost estimators, or tax preparers. All of these roles paid slightly less in Pennsylvania in 2022 than they did nationally.

If you plan on pursuing a master's degree, the most lucrative accounting profession in Pennsylvania is a personal financial advisor. These professionals earned an average of $163,400 per year in the state in 2022, higher than the national average of $137,740, according to the BLS.

Pennsylvania Requirements for Certified Public Accountants

Though it is not required to become a certified public accountant to practice in Pennsylvania, this licensure demonstrates your expertise in the profession. Each state has its own requirements for becoming a certified public accountant.

To become a CPA in Pennsylvania, you must have completed at least 150 semester hours with at least 24 credits in finance or tax, accounting and auditing, and business law. The state also requires an additional 12 of those 150 semester hours to be in accounting and auditing or tax subjects.

Further, before you achieve your CPA licensure in Pennsylvania, you must have at least two years, or 3,200 hours, of experience in the field, gained in a government, industry, academic, or public practice setting if you have earned a bachelor's degree. If you have received your master's or postgraduate degree, you only need one year of experience (1,600 hours).

You will also need to pass the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination with at least a 75 %. The timeframe for completing all four exams is 18 months.

Best Accounting Schools in PA

Take the first step toward becoming an accountant by choosing one of the best accounting programs in Pennsylvania. Explore the list below of 2023's top five PA accounting schools.

Learn about our ranking methodology

#1 Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

Juniata College

  • Huntingdon, PA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Juniata sits on 800 acres of central Pennsylvania land and serves over 1,200 learners — mostly undergraduate students. The school offers dozens of focus areas and keeps most classes small, with fewer than 20 students.

Accounting Program of Emphasis

Instead of majors, Juniata College offers primary and secondary programs of emphasis. 

The primary accounting program of emphasis includes 61 credits covering ethics, quantitative business analysis, and business law. Students can supplement the accounting program with a secondary emphasis in topics like management or data science. 

Enrollees can also select accounting as their secondary emphasis. This approach includes 18 credits. Learners explore macroeconomics, financial accounting, and managerial accounting. They can also select additional classes in auditing, cost accounting, or federal taxation. 

Juniata also offers an online accelerated master of accounting program to prepare learners for the CPA exam. 

Applying to Juniata

Each candidate submits a free online application, high school transcripts, an essay, and a recommendation letter. Juniata does not require test scores but encourages applicants to include them.  

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Private
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
  • Tuition and Fees: $56,402/year
  • Required Credits: 120 credits
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$48,350
Out-of-state
$48,350
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$24,800
Out-of-state
$24,800
Retention Rate
85%
Acceptance Rate
67%
Students Enrolled
1,356
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
15% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#2 Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University

  • Selinsgrove, PA
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Located near the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania, SU offers diverse educational and service opportunities. Its Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship Education helps bring business education to grade-school students. 

Major in Accounting

The accounting major at Susquehanna University immerses students in business fundamentals. Enrollees take 16 business courses across subjects like marketing, global business ethics, and corporate financial management. 

Students also complete eight accounting courses. They start with an introduction to taxation, then explore intermediate accounting, accounting information systems, and auditing. 

Aspiring CPAs can increase their course load to complete 150 credits within four years. SU generally suggests learners take 18 credits each semester, plus summer courses.

These summer classes include for-credit internships. SU guarantees international internships for all accounting students to help them develop international business skills. However, learners can still choose local internship opportunities.

Applying to SU

Each candidate submits a free online application, a high school report, transcripts, and a recommendation letter. SU makes test scores optional.   

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Public
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Tuition: $56,600/year
  • Required Credits: Not publicly available
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$50,500
Out-of-state
$50,500
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$50,500
Out-of-state
$50,500
Retention Rate
88%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
2,241
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
1% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#3 Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

Grove City College

  • Grove City, PA
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Since its 1876 founding, Grove City College has operated on Christ-centered principles of service and love. Its 2,400 full-time students participate in mission trips, ministry groups, and discipleship groups. 

BS in Accounting

Grove City College accounting students complete business and accounting core courses. They explore topics like accounting principles, tax accounting, business strategies, and marketing. Learners can also select three accounting electives, including a for-credit internship.

Accounting internships often occur within international firms like Deloitte or PwC, along with Pennsylvania-based organizations like PNC Bank and Hershey. Enrollees can also gain applicable professional experience through campus groups like the Accounting Society. 

Grove City College offers several career acceleration options. For example, students looking to complete the 150-credit CPA requirement can complete a dual major in accounting and finance or accounting and business analysis.

Applying to Grove City College

Each candidate completes an online application and pays $50. They submit two recommendation letters, a school report, and transcripts. Grove City College encourages applicants to submit test scores and complete interviews. The latter waives the application fee.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Public
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • Tuition: $20,890/year
  • Required Credits: 128 credits
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Delivery Format: On campus or hybrid
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$18,930
Out-of-state
$18,930
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
87%
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
2,277
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
41% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#4 Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

Clarks Summit University

  • Clarks Summit, PA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

CSU began in New York State but outgrew the campus. In 1968, the school purchased land in Pennsylvania — the campus now sits on 111 acres in the Pennsylvanian mountains. As a historically Baptist school, CSU offers Christ-centered education.  

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Accounting 

Clarks Summit University explores accounting through a biblical worldview. Students take classes that explore the biblical lifestyle and theology, plus three biblical studies electives.

Learners begin the program with introductory business and personal finance classes. In their second year, they dive into financial accounting courses and human resources management. 

Third-year students engage with managerial business and accounting topics. They also must complete for-credit business internships. The final year focuses heavily on accounting topics, exploring federal income tax, corporate finance, and audit and risk management. Students also explore the connection between business law, ethics, and theology. 

Learners finalize the program with a preparation seminar for the Certified Management Accountant exam.  

Applying to CSU

Each candidate submits an application with a $25 fee, along with transcripts, test scores, and proof of Christian faith. CSU also requires applicants to interview with admissions counselors.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Private
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Accreditation for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) 
  • Tuition: $31,200/year
  • Required Credits: 121 credits
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$26,082
Out-of-state
$26,082
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,280
Out-of-state
$8,280
Retention Rate
79%
Acceptance Rate
62%
Students Enrolled
768
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
60% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#5 Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

Bucknell University

  • Lewisburg, PA
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Since its 1846 founding, Bucknell University has grown to serve over 3,750 students. It offers more than 60 majors and a small 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school sits on 450 acres in Lewisburg, a small central Pennsylvanian town.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Accounting and Financial Management

The Freeman College of Management at Bucknell University offers an accounting major and minor. 

The major covers eight accounting courses, including managerial accounting, accounting information and analytics, and individual federal income taxes. Students must also take advanced financial accounting, auditing and assurance, or an accounting seminar to fulfill the school's culminating experience requirement.

An enrollee pursuing an accounting minor completes five accounting courses. The three required classes include accounting foundations and intermediate financial accounting. Learners can then select the final two courses.  

Bucknell University helps aspiring CPAs complete 150 credits in four years by accepting AP classes, CLEP exams, and internships as credit. Students can also take a heavier course load. 

Applying to Bucknell University

Each prospective enrollee submits a $50 online application, along with high school transcripts demonstrating at least two years of the same foreign language and 2.5 years of college preparatory math. Bucknell doesn't require test scores, but candidates can supplement their applications with personal essays.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Private
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Tuition: $64,418/year
  • Required Credits: 128 credits
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$57,882
Out-of-state
$57,882
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$25,412
Out-of-state
$25,412
Retention Rate
92%
Acceptance Rate
38%
Students Enrolled
3,726
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Questions About Accounting in Pennsylvania

Is accounting a good career in Pennsylvania?

Projections Central estimates that the number of accounting jobs in Pennsylvania will increase by 7.1% between 2020 and 2030. The state also requires many types of accounting professionals, ranging from associate degree-level bookkeeping and auditing clerk roles to master's degree-level financial managers.

How much do accountants earn in Pennsylvania?

Accountants' salaries vary depending on their education levels and experience. On average, an accountant's salary will range from $46,240-$163,400.

What accounting jobs are there in Pennsylvania?

Some of the accounting jobs in Pennsylvania include payroll clerks, credit counselors, property appraisers and assessors, tax examiners and collectors, financial or budget analysts, and personal financial advisors. Each role requires unique qualifications and experience.

Can I get an accounting degree in Pennsylvania?

The state has 187 postsecondary institutions, many of which grant associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees in accounting. Students can earn their degrees in person, online, or in a hybrid model that combines both online and in-person learning.

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