Accounting Degree Overview for Tennessee

Students can choose from plenty of accounting degrees in Tennessee, which features more than 100 colleges and universities. Many schools in the state offer online accounting programs, which learners often prefer for their convenience and flexibility. 

All degree levels can open doors to accounting careers in Tennessee. Accounting graduates may pursue positions as bookkeeping and auditing clerks, financial managers, or cost estimators. Tennessee is home to more than 22,300 accountants and auditors, and Projections Central forecasts a 16.4% (much faster than usual) job growth rate for these professionals from 2018-2028. 

In this guide, we explain why students should consider pursuing a Tennessee online accounting degree, what to expect from a typical program, and career and salary potential for graduates who stay in the state. At the end of the page, we provide a list of some of the best accounting schools in Tennessee.

• Tennessee Education Statistics
• Accounting Careers in Tennessee

Tennessee at a Glance

Top Tennessee Schools for Accounting

• Union University
• Lipscomb University
• The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
• Christian Brothers University
• Belmont University
• Milligan College
• Trevecca Nazarene University
• Freed-Hardeman University
• Southern Adventist University
• Lincoln Memorial University

Why Go to College for Accounting in Tennessee?

Tennessee offers an array of potential benefits to prospective accounting students. Students in the state face average tuition rates, but many still find Tennessee relatively inexpensive due to its low cost of living. Students can save money on housing and other basic essentials if they live in Tennessee, where those expenses cost less than they do in most other places.

Tennessee offers promising career options to graduates with all levels of accounting degrees. The state employs large numbers of accountants and auditors, bookkeeping and auditing clerks, and financial managers.

Tennessee hosts more than 100 colleges, located all over the state. The cities of Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis feature some of the state’s largest universities. School location can still affect those who plan to earn their accounting degrees online, because some distance education programs require on-campus components.

Earning an accounting degree in Tennessee yields additional benefits for those who plan to stay in the state after graduation. Graduates can take advantage of the networks they developed in college, which may connect them with internship or job opportunities.

Education Statistics for Tennessee

Tennessee goes above and beyond when it comes to postsecondary education appropriations, exceeding the national average allocation by more than $1,000. The state also devotes an above-average percentage of tax revenue to higher education. The percentage of Tennesseans with a college education falls below the national mean, but as the state continues to ramp up investment in postsecondary schools and students, this may change.

Higher Education in Tennessee

Accreditation for Tennessee Schools

Accredited schools are more likely to give their students a high-quality education and adequately prepare them for careers in their chosen fields. Schools can hold regional or national accreditation. 

Regional accreditation is generally more popular and prestigious than national accreditation. Regionally accredited schools undergo a rigorous process of evaluation of their academic programs, faculty, campus resources, and student services. Students who attend regionally accredited universities can more easily qualify for financial aid, transfer credits to other colleges, apply to graduate school, and meet requirements for professional certifications after graduation. 

When looking for online accounting degrees in Tennessee, seek schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the agency responsible for providing accreditation to colleges in the region. Students can find out if a prospective school holds accreditation by looking it up in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s searchable directories.

Considerations for an Accounting Degree in Tennessee

Students must consider many factors when choosing online accounting degrees in Tennessee. The right school for one person may not be the best choice for another. The data below can help prospective learners decide whether Tennessee is the right state in which to seek accounting programs. We discuss the types of accounting degrees in Tennessee, along with concentration options and the benefits of online vs. in-person programs. We also cover tuition prices and a variety of options for funding accounting degrees in Tennessee. 

Accounting Degree Levels

Prospective accounting students in Tennessee can pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degrees in the subject. Each degree level qualifies graduates for career opportunities, though advanced degrees lead to more responsibilities and higher salary potential. A master’s in accounting in Tennessee, for example, prepares learners to become accountants and auditors, while an associate qualifies graduates to work as bookkeeping and accounting clerks. Below, we describe each type of degree and typical careers for graduates. 

Accounting Concentration Options

Students pursuing online accounting degrees in Tennessee can choose from a variety of concentrations, including auditing, environmental accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and management accounting. The concentrations below may prove particularly advantageous because they apply to popular career opportunities in the state. Cost accounting and taxation concentrations are especially relevant to the hospitality and tourism industries, which dominate in Tennessee. 

Explore More Accounting Concentrations

On-Campus Versus Online Program Options

Accounting students in Tennessee can earn their degrees on campus, online, or through hybrid programs, which combine elements of both. Below, we describe each of these learning formats. 

On-Campus 

Some students prefer to attend traditional, on-campus colleges. The benefits of attending school in person in Tennessee include more opportunities to get to know classmates and teachers each week during regularly scheduled classes. Ideal students for this type of program are typically recent high school graduates and those who prefer face-to-face learning.

Online Programs

Many learners prefer the flexibility and convenience of online accounting degrees in Tennessee. Students can log on and complete coursework anywhere and anytime, without tethering to specific times and locations. This type of freedom appeals to those who plan to work full time while in school, students with families, and others who prefer to learn independently. 

Hybrid Programs

Some of the best accounting schools in Tennessee offer hybrid programs, which combine aspects of online and in-person learning. Hybrid accounting degrees require students to attend some classes on campus, but they also include some distance learning. Specific in-person requirements vary by program. 

Percentage of Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Paying for Your Accounting Degree

Students pursuing accounting degrees in Tennessee should consider a variety of options to help fund their education. Learners in the state may qualify for scholarships, fellowships, grants, and/or loans. 

The gold standard for financial aid, scholarships and grants are essentially free money, as they do not require repayment. These types of aid may be need- or merit-based. Fellowships typically apply to graduate students, providing funding in exchange for students’ work on specific issues related to their studies. The federal government offers a variety of low-interest loans to help college students pay for their education. 

• Learn More About Financial Aid Options
• Learn More About and Explore Accounting Scholarships

Average Cost of College Tuition and Fees in Tennessee, 2017-2018

In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition

Out-of-state tuition costs much more than in-state tuition in Tennessee, as is the case in most U.S. states. Tennessee residents pay just $9,574 to attend four-year public colleges, compared to $25,378 for nonresidents. Two-year public colleges charge in-state learners $4,148, about one-third the cost of the $16,140 tuition for those who live outside the state. Private institutions do not distinguish between in-state and out-of-state students in their tuition prices.

Out-of-state students attending Tennessee schools may qualify for tuition discounts through the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market program. Eligible students from nearby states like Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and West Virginia receive tuition discounts by enrolling in participating academic programs. 

Tennessee’s Cost of Living

One of the most affordable places to live in the United States, Tennessee ranks 11th nationally for cost of living. Its cost of living index score of 88.7 means Tennesseeans spend 10.3% less on basic necessities, like housing, food, transportation, and utilities, than U.S. residents on average. The average cost of living index score is 100.

Residents of Tennessee save significantly on housing, which scores just 80.2 on the World Population Review cost of living index. Potential students should consider Tennessee’s low cost of living when deciding whether to attend college in the state.

Other School Selection Criteria

Selecting a college is a personal process, which prospective students should not undertake lightly. Priorities differ between each college applicant, but key factors affecting school selection may include: 

Careers for Accounting Graduates in Tennessee

Tennessee’s strong economy ranks 12th in the nation, with a major emphasis on tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. Visitors from other places come to the state to experience Graceland (Elvis Presley’s home) in Memphis, the Nashville music scene, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Tennessee’s tourism industry needs workers with accounting degrees. Hospitality businesses, like hotels, restaurants, and music venues, typically require in-house accountants and bookkeepers to make sure the revenue coming in each day covers business expenses. 

Tennessee demonstrates faster-than-average job growth and a GDP of almost $350 billion. The state features 20 Fortune 500 companies, many of which rely on the skill and experience of qualified accounting professionals. The sections below explore some of the most popular accounting careers in Tennessee, plus salary potential for accounting graduates in the state and requirements to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

Select Accounting Careers in Tennessee

Tennessee Employment Trends

Projected Job Growth for Accountants

Curious about other accounting jobs? Explore more here

Students who earn accounting degrees in Tennessee can find plenty of professional opportunities after graduation, no matter their degree level. Accounting associate degree-holders may consider careers as bookkeeping and auditing clerks: Nearly 44,000 of these professionals work in Tennessee, earning a slightly above-average mean annual wage of $41,400. Other potential careers for associate graduates include payroll clerk and credit counselor. 

Students who earn bachelor’s degrees in accounting can find career opportunities as cost estimators and tax examiners and collectors. Cost estimators in Tennessee make above-average salaries. Those with a master’s in accounting in Tennessee stand to make the highest salaries, and they enjoy the most abundant career options. Master’s-holders qualify to become accountants and auditors, budget analysts, personal financial advisors, and financial managers. 

Tennessee Requirements for Certified Public Accountants

CPA designation helps professionals stand out to potential employers, demonstrating their field expertise. Each state sets its own rules and regulations for becoming a CPA, so students who want to pursue CPA certification should research the specific criteria for the state in which they hope to practice. CPA requirements in Tennessee mirror those of many other states, including: 

Learn more about CPA requirements in the state by consulting the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. 

• Learn more about the CPA Exam
• Learn more about having a career as a CPA

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions