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The Best Colleges For Accounting 2027

October 4, 2026

Choosing where to study accounting can feel overwhelming, but the right school sets the stage for a strong career in audit, tax, or advisory services. This guide ranks the 25 best colleges for accounting in 2027, highlighting rigorous curricula, CPA preparation, and the industry connections that lead to internships and job offers.

Each profile shows what sets the program apart. If you are weighing majors, see our list of college majors with the lowest unemployment and our guide to the best colleges for management studies. Professional groups like the AICPA also offer student resources.

The Best Colleges For Accounting 2027

1. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business is known for pairing strong accounting training with a focus on ethics and service. Students study financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and analytics in small classes with faculty who know them by name. The college’s loyal alumni network and strong recruiting relationships with major accounting firms help graduates land competitive jobs. It tops this list for students who want rigorous technical skills and a values-driven approach to the profession.

2. Florida State University

Florida State’s accounting program is housed in the College of Business and is known for strong CPA preparation at a public-university price. Students take courses in financial reporting, auditing, tax, and data analytics, and the program’s ties to firms across Florida support internships and job placement. FSU’s large campus, active business student organizations, and school spirit make it a good fit for students who want a full college experience alongside strong professional training.

3. Boston College

Boston College’s Carroll School of Management offers an accounting program built around analytical skill and ethical leadership. Students learn financial and managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation, and many complete internships with Boston’s large financial and professional services community. The Jesuit emphasis on service and critical thinking shapes the curriculum, and the school’s alumni network is strong in public accounting, finance, and consulting.

4. Bentley University

Bentley is a business-focused university, and accounting is one of its flagship strengths. The curriculum blends accounting with technology and analytics, which matches how modern firms work with data, and students complete internships and projects with real organizations throughout their studies. Bentley’s career services have a strong reputation, and its location near Boston gives students access to many large employers. It is a strong choice for students who want a specialized business education.

5. Georgetown University

Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business offers an accounting program in a global, policy-minded setting. Students learn core skills in financial reporting, auditing, and taxation while studying international business and ethics. Washington, DC, adds internship options in government agencies, nonprofits, and multinational firms, and Georgetown’s Jesuit tradition emphasizes service and integrity. The program is a good fit for students who see accounting as a path into consulting, public policy, or international finance.

6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Gies College of Business at Illinois has a long-standing reputation in accounting, anchored by its Department of Accountancy. Students work through demanding courses in financial reporting, auditing, tax, and analytics, and many go on to graduate to accountancy programs and CPA licensure. Employers recruit heavily on campus, particularly from the Chicago area, and the large alumni network supports graduates throughout their careers.

7. University of Georgia

The J.M. Tull School of Accounting at UGA’s Terry College of Business is one of the best-known accounting programs in the Southeast. Students benefit from faculty with strong research and professional ties, a structured path toward the CPA exam, and recruiting from major firms in Atlanta and beyond. The Terry College’s active alumni network and UGA’s large campus community make it a popular choice for students who want a strong public university.

8. University of Texas at Austin

The McCombs School of Business at UT Austin is among the most respected accounting programs in the country. Its Department of Accounting offers a rigorous curriculum, and many students pursue the Master in Professional Accounting to meet the credit requirements for the CPA. Austin’s growing business and technology sectors, along with strong recruiting from large firms across Texas, make it a strong choice for students seeking both top academics and career opportunities.

9. Washington University in St. Louis

WashU’s Olin Business School offers accounting within a small, rigorous business school at a top research university. Students learn financial reporting, auditing, and tax, and they can combine accounting with finance, data analytics, or other fields through a flexible curriculum. Olin’s small class sizes lead to close faculty mentoring, and graduates are recruited by large firms in St. Louis, Chicago, and beyond.

10. CUNY Baruch College

Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business is one of the most affordable routes into a strong accounting career in New York City. The Stan Ross Department of Accountancy has a strong reputation, and students are heavily recruited by large firms in the city’s financial district. Baruch’s diverse student body and its focus on practical training make it a strong option for students who want value and access to one of the largest accounting job markets in the world.

11. Ohio State University

The Fisher College of Business at Ohio State offers accounting through its Department of Accounting and Management Information Systems. Students study financial reporting, auditing, and taxation and can add courses in analytics and information systems. Fisher has strong ties to major employers across Ohio and the Midwest, and Ohio State’s extensive alumni network supports internships and first jobs.

12. University of Miami

The Miami Herbert Business School offers an accounting program in a private university setting, with small classes and a global perspective. Students learn core accounting skills and can combine them with finance, analytics, or international business. Miami’s position as a hub for Latin American trade adds opportunities for graduates interested in international accounting and consulting, and the school’s local employer network supports internships.

13. Lehigh University

Lehigh’s College of Business offers accounting in a small, close-knit setting where students receive plenty of attention from faculty. The program combines technical training with analytics and teamwork, and Lehigh’s career services and alumni network help students land internships with large firms in New York, Philadelphia, and beyond. It is a good option for students who want a private university with strong outcomes.

14. University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Wisconsin School of Business is known for its Accounting and Information Systems department, which blends traditional accounting with data and technology skills. Students can pursue the Master of Accountancy to meet CPA requirements, and the school has a strong reputation with large firms across the Midwest. Madison’s lively campus and the school’s supportive community make it a good fit for students who want academic rigor with a big-school feel.

15. Southern Methodist University

SMU’s Cox School of Business offers an accounting program in the heart of one of the largest business centers in the United States. Small classes and strong faculty mentoring support students, and Dallas’s corporate headquarters and large accounting firms provide internships and jobs close to campus. SMU’s active alumni network in Texas helps graduates build early careers in audit, tax, and corporate finance.

16. Villanova University

Villanova’s School of Business is known for strong teaching, an Augustinian emphasis on ethics and service, and excellent recruiting results. The accounting program covers financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, with many students completing internships with large firms in Philadelphia and New York before graduating. Villanova’s close-knit community and active alumni network make it a strong choice for students seeking a values-based business education.

17. Clemson University

Clemson’s Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business offers accounting through a department with a strong reputation in the Southeast. Students learn financial reporting, auditing, and taxation and can add analytics skills that employers value. Clemson’s school spirit, large alumni network, and affordable in-state tuition make it a popular choice, and firms in Charlotte, Atlanta, and across the Carolinas recruit its graduates.

18. Tulane University

Tulane’s A. B. Freeman School of Business offers an accounting program in a small, private setting with an emphasis on practical learning. Students benefit from close faculty contact, community-based projects, and internships with firms in New Orleans and across the Gulf South. The city’s culture and Tulane’s strong service tradition make it a distinctive option for students who want to pair accounting with an engaged campus experience.

19. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara’s Leavey School of Business offers accounting in the middle of Silicon Valley. Students learn financial reporting, auditing, and tax and have access to internships with large accounting firms and technology companies in the Bay Area. The Jesuit focus on ethics and service shapes the program, and small classes and close mentoring support students who want to work in tech, startups, or public accounting.

20. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M’s Mays Business School offers a respected accounting program with strong ties to firms across Texas. Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree and often continue to a master’s in accounting to meet CPA requirements. The Aggie network is a major advantage in recruiting, and the school’s emphasis on leadership and professional development prepares graduates for audit, tax, and corporate roles.

21. University of South Florida

USF’s Muma College of Business is home to the School of Accountancy, which offers a solid public university route into the profession. Students study financial reporting, auditing, and taxation and benefit from Tampa’s growing business community and the presence of large firms in the region. USF’s relatively affordable tuition and large alumni network make it a practical choice for students who want strong career prospects in Florida.

22. University of Florida

The Warrington College of Business is home to the Fisher School of Accounting, one of the best-known accounting programs in the Southeast. Students take rigorous courses in financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, and many continue to the Master of Accounting. UF’s strong corporate recruiting, large alumni network, and affordable in-state tuition make it a top choice for students planning to work in public accounting.

23. Pennsylvania State University

Penn State’s Smeal College of Business offers accounting through a large and well-connected department. Students gain access to one of the largest alumni networks in the country, which helps with internships and first jobs at major firms across the Northeast and beyond. The curriculum covers financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, and student organizations and case competitions help build professional skills.

24. Texas Christian University

TCU’s Neeley School of Business offers an accounting program in a private university setting, with small classes and a strong sense of community. Students benefit from faculty attention and close ties to employers in Fort Worth and Dallas, two of Texas’s largest business centers. Neeley’s focus on professional development and ethics helps students move into audit, tax, and corporate finance roles after graduation.

25. University of Alabama

The Culverhouse School of Accountancy at the University of Alabama is one of the best-known accounting programs in the South. Students study financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, with a strong focus on CPA preparation and recruiting by large firms across the region. The university’s large campus community and affordable tuition for in-state students make it a popular option for aspiring accountants.

How to Choose an Accounting Program

A ranking is a starting point. Before you apply, compare these factors:

Accreditation: Look for AACSB accreditation of the business school and, where offered, of the accounting program.
CPA path: Check how the program helps you reach the 150-hour requirement, whether through a master’s or an integrated five-year option.
Recruiting: Ask which firms recruit on campus and how many graduates receive internships and full-time offers.
Cost and location: Compare tuition and the local job market, since public universities and schools near big cities can offer strong value.

Build experience early with our guide to the best colleges for internships and co-op programs, plus tips on gaining work experience as a student. Plan your budget with the student aid calculator and college scholarships, check where you stand with the GPA calculator, and read how university admission is getting harder. You can also compare the biggest college alumni networks in the..S..

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for accounting in 2027?

The University of Notre Dame holds the top spot on this list, followed by Florida State University and Boston College.

How do you become a CPA?

Most states require a bachelor’s degree with the necessary accounting coursework, 150 semester hours of education, passing all sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and meeting experience and ethics requirements. Rules vary by state, so check your state board of accountancy.

Do I need a master’s degree in accounting?

Not always, but many students complete a master’s in accounting or a five-year program to reach the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure. Several schools on this list offer integrated options.

Can Canadian students use a U.S. accounting degree in Canada?

It depends on the program and the professional body. Canadian credentials such as the CPA designation have their own requirements, so check with CPA Canada before enrolling in a U.S. program.