Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

Published: Jun 17, 2021
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

In this article, we present to you the top-ranked online bachelor’s degree programs in accounting. These programs prepare students to join high-paying fields as accountants, auditors, financial analysts, insurance underwriters, and more.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Accounting Programs

University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of Louisville
University of Memphis
Portland State University
Golden Gate University
University of Baltimore
Old Dominion University

University of Arizona
University of Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of Louisville
University of Arkansas
University of Memphis
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Florida Atlantic University
Portland State University

New England College 100%
Liberty University 99%
Southern New Hampshire University 96%
California State University, East Bay 96%
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 96%
Old Dominion University 95%
University of Memphis 95%
Portland State University 93%
Thomas Jefferson University 89%
University of Baltimore 89%

Florida Atlantic University 22 to 1
California State University, East Bay 22 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
University of Arkansas 20 to 1
University of Alabama 19 to 1
University of South Carolina 18 to 1
Liberty University 18 to 1
University of Alabama at Birmingham 18 to 1
University of Memphis 17 to 1
Portland State University 17 to 1

Thomas Jefferson University $44,350
New England College $41,518
Mercer University $39,708
Upper Iowa University $33,639
Catawba College $32,868
Northwood University $31,600
Liberty University $22,511
Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
Western Illinois University $14,406
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth $14,179

Northwood University $37,080
Thomas Jefferson University $22,509
Golden Gate University $19,620
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
Upper Iowa University $18,870
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth $16,390
National University $15,912
Mercer University $15,531
Portland State University $15,048
University of Baltimore $14,382

New England College
Upper Iowa University
Northwood University
Thomas Jefferson University
National University
Liberty University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Western Illinois University
Catawba College

Northwood University
New England College
Catawba College
Upper Iowa University
National University
Western Illinois University
University of Baltimore
California State University, East Bay
Southern New Hampshire University
Golden Gate University

Upper Iowa University 54%
University of South Carolina 64%
Catawba College 67%
Western Illinois University 75%
Mercer University 75%
University of Arkansas 79%
Northwood University 80%
University of Alabama 80%
Florida Atlantic University 81%
University of Louisville 82%

New England College 7 to 1
Northwood University 8 to 1
University of Baltimore 10 to 1
University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
Catawba College 11 to 1
Golden Gate University 13 to 1
University of Louisville 13 to 1
Mercer University 13 to 1
Western Illinois University 13 to 1
Thomas Jefferson University 13 to 1

Florida Atlantic University $2,522
California State University, East Bay $5,742
Old Dominion University $7,239
University of Baltimore $7,296
University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,659
University of Arkansas $7,666
University of Memphis $8,352
Portland State University $8,400
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,832
Golden Gate University $11,088

Catawba College $3,594
Florida Atlantic University $5,467
California State University, East Bay $7,176
University of Arkansas $7,875
Liberty University $7,893
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,424
Western Illinois University $8,609
University of Memphis $9,378
Old Dominion University $10,519
University of Alabama $11,100

Do you want to learn the language of business, budgets, and finance?

If so, then you may want to consider earning an online bachelor’s in accounting degree! As an online student, you will progress through a curriculum designed to prepare you for a successful career–all while studying and attending digital lectures from anywhere with an internet connection.

After graduation, you will be instrumental in the preparation of financial statements, in effective business administration, and in efficient business finance.

Featured Programs

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting: Worth the Investment?

There are excellent reasons to earn an online bachelor’s in accounting degree! So let’s cover some of the most notable reasons:

Diverse Job Opportunities

You have a wide range of accounting career options with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Accounting majors can become staff accountants, managerial accounting experts, tax accounting specialists, budget analysts, and financial analysts after graduation.

Great Salary

You’ll also have high earning potential, even with entry-level positions. And compensation packages only increase with further professional training, certification and work experience. Accountants and auditors earned a national average salary of $77,250 (May 2021).

Opportunities in Thriving Industries

You will find job opportunities in nearly all industries with an accounting degree online. Due to accounting being the language of business, virtually every industry will need bookkeepers, accountants and auditors.

Opportunities in both Private and Public Cectors

Both the public (i.e., government and its instrumentalities) and private (i.e., for-profit and nonprofit organizations) sectors need accounting professionals.

Robust Job Growth

You can look forward to a discipline that guarantees robust job growth over the next decade. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report points to a job growth for accountants and auditors by 7% (2020-2030).

Job Security

Your job as accountant or auditor is among the most recession-proof occupations! During a tough economy, these professionals are vital in taking business finance into a better direction.

Translatable Skills and Specializations

You can combine an accounting career as a specialization within another field, such as law (e.g., legal accountant), taxation (e.g., tax accountant) or management (e.g., Certified Management Accountant). With courses that are similar to or applicable in undergraduate business programs, the opportunity to switch careers is also excellent.

Fulfills Prerequisites for a Master’s of Accounting Program

A Bachelor’s of Accounting sets you up to pursue a master’s degree in Accounting. A Master’s will open doors to opportunities such as the following high level jobs: lead accountants, auditing managers, and financial managers.

Accounting is a challenging discipline that involves employing many different skills. Your soft skills, particularly critical and analytical thinking and critical thinking skills, will be put to good use, both during the accounting cycle and the management phase.

You will also develop skills in leadership, communication, and organization, aside from the technical skills. These skills will be valuable assets throughout your career.

Most Common Online Accounting Degree Undergrad Concentrations

Bachelor’s in Accounting degrees often offer concentration options are available to students, each of which provide specialized accounting courses. These enable future professionals to focus on specific areas of practice in accounting for nonprofit or for-profit business operations:

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting Program: A BA in Accounting has a more liberal art-centric curriculum that allow students to pursue a minor in subject of interest.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting Degree: The more common choice, an online BS in Accounting prepares students for work in entry-level positions at the public and private sectors, and prepares students for enrollment in a master’s degree.
Bachelor of Business Administration with an Accounting Concentration: A Bachelor’s in BA program with emphasis on Accounting is suitable for online students who want to pursue management careers with a strong accounting foundation.

The job market for Accounting degree graduates is a tough one. But accounting degree programs prepare you to compete at the highest level with knowledge of financial reporting, business strategy, business law, financial planning, and accounting information systems.

This is what makes an online accounting degree worth your time and investment!

Bachelor of Accounting Online Admission Requirements and Process

Prospective students of online bachelor’s degree in accounting programs must be prepared for a selective admissions process.

The common admissions requirements include:

A high school diploma or GED equivalent with minimum cumulative GPA -OR- an associate degree in accounting or related discipline,
Standardized test scores, such as SAT and ACT, with minimum scores and within a specific time limit taken,
Letters of recommendation, usually from former teachers or professors,
Personal statement or essay according to the standards (format and content) required by the school or program,
Current resume

Additional Requirements:

Online students must be well-versed in the fundamentals of the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Note that GAAP itself is an ever-changing framework of principles and practices, thus, accounting students must make efforts to stay on top of them.

Accounting students also will be required to learn about financial accounting, management accounting and forensic accounting fundamentals.

How to Speed Up Your Accounting Degree

Transfer of credits from an associate degree can reduce the time-to-completion by up to two years. Look for an accelerated bachelor’s degree program, too, if you want to earn an accounting bachelor’s degree faster.

Earning an online bachelor’s degree in accounting can be more affordable than an on-campus degree, too. Financial aid options including federal financial aid are also available for online students.

Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Frequently Asked Questions

When earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. You may have the option to take classes in person or online. And if you’ve already eared your associate degree in accounting, you may be able to take an accelerated degree completion program.

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in accounting?

Typically, at full-time status this four-year degree typically requires the completion of 120 credits.

What courses will I take?

You will likely take introductory courses on topics like tax law, payroll accounting, and personal finance as well as concentration courses that discuss topics like auditing and forensic accounting.

What can I do with a bachelor’s in accounting?

With a bachelor’s in accounting, students will be ready to enter this high-paying field as accountants, auditors, financial analysts, insurance underwriters, and more. This degree also fulfills 120 credits of the 150 credits needed to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam, a four-part test that leads to CPA licensure. With a bachelor’s degree, you would qualify to sit for the licensure exam in some states. However, in most states, in order to become a licensed CPA, you must go on to earn your master’s degree in accounting.

Learn more about how to major in accounting.

How do we determine the best online accounting bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Accounting Degree

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Accounting

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,444
Avg. Expenses*: $16,268
Avg. Starting Salary*: $48,492
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $61,758
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 9 years
Job Growth: 4.52%
Number of Jobs: 2,051,900
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Financial Managers	15.97%	$125,312
Financial Risk Specialists	8.15%	$89,827
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	7.01%	$86,765
Financial and Investment Analysts	7.63%	$82,451
Budget Analysts	3.30%	$78,432
Financial Examiners	19.66%	$78,354
Accountants and Auditors	4.38%	$71,282
Credit Analysts	-4.25%	$69,568
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	0.73%	$57,282
Statistical Assistants	-2.70%	$52,481

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$49,057	$77,714	$129,196

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 New York	5% higher than average	$104,966
#3 Michigan	15% higher than average	$78,409
#4 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$79,756
#5 Texas	10% higher than average	$79,329
#6 Ohio	14% higher than average	$75,885
#7 Virginia	5% higher than average	$83,631
#8 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$99,194
#9 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$83,118
#10 Georgia	13% higher than average	$75,185
#11 Missouri	16% higher than average	$72,131
#12 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$79,590
#13 Utah	4% higher than average	$81,498
#14 Illinois	7% higher than average	$78,884
#15 Alabama	13% higher than average	$73,308
#16 Delaware	2% higher than average	$84,128
#17 Colorado	3% higher than average	$84,214
#18 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$77,547
#19 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$69,666
#20 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$68,416
#21 Indiana	11% higher than average	$70,410
#22 Kansas	9% higher than average	$72,108
#23 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$116,905
#24 Iowa	9% higher than average	$71,317
#25 Washington	7% higher than average	$83,742
#26 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$67,730
#27 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$72,225
#28 Arizona	5% higher than average	$73,342
#29 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$62,917
#30 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$64,364
#31 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$70,660
#32 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$89,562
#33 Nevada	5% higher than average	$79,261
#34 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$67,917
#35 Florida	6% higher than average	$70,421
#36 Oregon	11% higher than average	$82,774
#37 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$68,628
#38 Idaho	7% higher than average	$68,296
#39 California	26% higher than average	$92,463
#40 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$87,540
#41 North Dakota	average	$73,340
#42 Montana	3% higher than average	$70,023
#43 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$67,772
#44 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$81,071
#45 Vermont	13% higher than average	$80,822
#46 Maryland	18% higher than average	$84,334
#47 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$70,021
#48 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$87,547
#49 Alaska	23% higher than average	$85,632
#50 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$61,941
#51 Maine	9% higher than average	$72,907
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$71,233

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Financial Managers	$125,312
Financial Risk Specialists	$89,827
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$86,765
Financial and Investment Analysts	$82,451
Budget Analysts	$78,432
Financial Examiners	$78,354
Accountants and Auditors	$71,282
Credit Analysts	$69,568
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	$57,282
Statistical Assistants	$52,481

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Accounting Programs

Featured Programs

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting: Worth the Investment?

Diverse Job Opportunities

Great Salary

Opportunities in Thriving Industries

Opportunities in both Private and Public Cectors

Robust Job Growth

Job Security

Translatable Skills and Specializations

Fulfills Prerequisites for a Master’s of Accounting Program

Most Common Online Accounting Degree Undergrad Concentrations

Bachelor of Accounting Online Admission Requirements and Process

Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in accounting?

What courses will I take?

What can I do with a bachelor’s in accounting?

25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Arizona

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Arkansas

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Alabama

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of South Carolina

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Louisville

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Memphis

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Portland State University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Golden Gate University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Baltimore

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Old Dominion University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Southern New Hampshire University

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Concentrations

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Mercer University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Florida Atlantic University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at California State University, East Bay

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Catawba College

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Western Illinois University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Liberty University

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at National University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Thomas Jefferson University

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Northwood University

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Career Outlook for Accounting degree at Upper Iowa University