{"id":18603,"date":"2025-03-17T11:52:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T06:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/?p=18603"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:11:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:41:30","slug":"best-accounting-schools-in-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/best-accounting-schools-in-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Accounting Schools in USA: Admissions, Courses, Rankings, Acceptance Rates, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re thinking about a career in accounting, choosing the right school can make all the difference. The <strong>best accounting schools in the USA<\/strong> not only offer top-ranked programs but also provide real-world experience, high job placement rates, and strong industry connections. From <strong>UT Austin<\/strong> to <strong>Notre Dame<\/strong> and <strong>UF<\/strong>, these schools are known for helping students build successful careers with impressive starting salaries. In this blog, you\u2019ll learn what makes each of these top universities a smart choice for your accounting future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/university-of-texas-at-austin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"The University of Texas\u2014Austin\">The University of Texas\u2014Austin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re looking for one of the <strong>best accounting programs in the country<\/strong>, the <strong>McCombs School of Business<\/strong> at <strong>UT Austin<\/strong> is hard to beat. It\u2019s ranked <strong>#1<\/strong> in the U.S. for both undergraduate and graduate accounting programs by <strong>U.S. News &amp; World Report<\/strong>. With over <strong>51,000 students<\/strong> and an acceptance rate of <strong>32%<\/strong>, it\u2019s a large, competitive school that offers students lots of opportunities. Graduates also do very well after finishing school, with an average starting salary of around <strong>$73,495<\/strong>. Below are the key details of <strong>McCombs School of Business<\/strong> at <strong>UT Austin:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"table-layout:fixed;width:100%;\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Austin, Texas\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>1883\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Acceptance Rate<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>About 32%\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Over 51,000\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Bachelor\u2019s (BBA), Master\u2019s (MPA), and Ph.D. in Accounting\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Rex Tillerson (Former CEO of ExxonMobil), Michael Dell (Founder of Dell Technologies)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tuition<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>$11,448 (in-state); $40,032 (out-of-state)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Class Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>18:1 student-faculty ratio\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Career Success<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>High job placement; $73,495 average starting salary\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Website<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mccombs.utexas.edu\/faculty-research\/departments\/accounting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"McCombs School of Business \u2013 Accounting\">McCombs School of Business \u2013 Accounting<\/a>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Gies College of Business<\/strong> at <strong>UIUC<\/strong> is known for being one of the top accounting schools in the country. Located in <strong>Champaign, Illinois<\/strong>, UIUC stands out for its <strong>modern curriculum<\/strong> that focuses on <strong>data, technology, and real-world skills. <\/strong>With an acceptance rate of around <strong>24.17%<\/strong> and more than <strong>33,000 undergraduates<\/strong>, it\u2019s competitive but welcoming. The school has a <strong>99% success rate<\/strong> for accounting graduates finding jobs or continuing their studies, and they earn an average starting salary of about <strong>$66,678<\/strong>. Below are the key details <strong>Gies College of Business<\/strong> at <strong>UIUC<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"table-layout:fixed;width:100%;\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Champaign, Illinois\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>1867\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Acceptance Rate<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>About 24.17%\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Over 33,000 undergraduates\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Bachelor\u2019s, Master\u2019s, and Ph.D. in Accounting\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Jack Welch (Former CEO of General Electric), Larry Ellison (Co-founder of Oracle Corporation)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tuition<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>$16,866 (in-state); $34,316 (out-of-state)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Class Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>20:1 student-faculty ratio\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Career Success<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>99% job placement; $66,678 average starting salary\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Website<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/giesbusiness.illinois.edu\/accountancy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Gies College of Business \u2013 Accountancy\">Gies College of Business \u2013 Accountancy<\/a>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brigham Young University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brigham Young University (BYU)<\/strong>, located in <strong>Provo, Utah<\/strong>, is one of the top schools for students. The universities Marriott<strong> School of Business<\/strong> is famous for <strong>high CPA exam pass rates<\/strong> and a <strong>near-100% job placement rate<\/strong> after graduation. BYU has over <strong>33,000 students<\/strong> and an <strong>acceptance rate of around 67%<\/strong>, offering a friendly and supportive community. Many BYU accounting graduates land jobs with top companies like <strong>Deloitte<\/strong>, <strong>KPMG<\/strong>, and <strong>PwC<\/strong>, which shows how respected the program is. Below are the key details of <strong>BYU\u2019s <\/strong>Marriott<strong> School of Business:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"table-layout:fixed;width:100%;\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Provo, Utah\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>1875\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Acceptance Rate<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>About 67%\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Over 33,000\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s programs in Accounting\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Mitt Romney (U.S. Senator), Kevin Rollins (Former CEO of Dell Inc.)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tuition<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>$5,970 (LDS members); $11,940 (non-LDS) per year\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Class Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>20:1 student-faculty ratio\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Career Success<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Nearly 100% job placement after graduation\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Website<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/marriott.byu.edu\/acc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Marriott School of Business \u2013 School of Accountancy\">Marriott School of Business \u2013 School of Accountancy<\/a>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/indiana-university-bloomington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"Indiana University-Bloomington\">Indiana University-Bloomington<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Indiana University Bloomington\u2019s Kelley School of Business<\/strong> is a top pick for students who want a <strong>well-rounded business education<\/strong> with a strong focus on accounting. Located in <strong>Bloomington, Indiana<\/strong>, and founded in <strong>1820<\/strong>, the Kelley School is known for helping students build both <strong>technical accounting skills<\/strong> and <strong>business leadership abilities<\/strong>. With over <strong>32,000 undergraduate students<\/strong> and an <strong>acceptance rate of about 80%<\/strong>, IU Bloomington offers a large and lively campus with lots of opportunities. Below are the key details of <strong>Indiana University Bloomington\u2019s Kelley School of Business:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"table-layout:fixed;width:100%;\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Bloomington, Indiana\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>1820\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Acceptance Rate<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>About 80%\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Over 32,000 undergraduates\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Undergraduate, Master\u2019s, and Ph.D. programs in Accounting\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Mark Cuban (Entrepreneur and Owner of Dallas Mavericks), John T. Chambers (Former CEO of Cisco Systems)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tuition<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>$11,220 (in-state); $37,600 (out-of-state) per year\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Class Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>17:1 student-faculty ratio\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Website<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/kelley.iu.edu\/faculty-research\/departments\/accounting\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"Kelley School of Business \u2013 Accounting\">Kelley School of Business \u2013 Accounting<\/a>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">University of Notre Dame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The University of Notre Dame<\/strong>, located in <strong>Notre Dame, Indiana<\/strong>, is a great place for students who want both <strong>strong academic and ethical leadership training<\/strong>. The <strong>Mendoza College of Business<\/strong> is known across the country for its <strong>top accounting program. <\/strong>With about <strong>12,000 students<\/strong> and an <strong>acceptance rate of 19%<\/strong>, Notre Dame is selective but offers a close-knit and welcoming environment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many accounting graduates from Notre Dame work for big companies like <strong>Deloitte<\/strong>, <strong>KPMG<\/strong>, and <strong>PwC<\/strong>, with starting salaries often above <strong>$70,000<\/strong>. Thanks to a <strong>10:1 student-faculty ratio<\/strong>, students receive lots of guidance, helping them become leaders in the accounting world. Below are the key details of <strong>University of Notre Dame- Mendoza College of Business:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"table-layout:fixed;width:100%;\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Notre Dame, Indiana\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>1842\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Acceptance Rate<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>About 19%\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Around 12,000\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s programs in Accounting\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Condoleezza Rice (Former U.S. Secretary of State), Regis Philbin (TV Personality)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tuition<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>$58,843 per year\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Class Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>10:1 student-faculty ratio\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Career Success<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>High job placement with top firms; salaries over $70,000\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Website<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mendoza.nd.edu\/research-faculty\/academic-departments\/accountancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Mendoza College of Business \u2013 Accountancy\">Mendoza College of Business \u2013 Accountancy<\/a>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/university-of-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"University of Florida\">University of Florida<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The University of Florida (UF)<\/strong>, located in <strong>Gainesville, Florida<\/strong>, is home to the highly respected <strong>Fisher School of Accounting<\/strong>. With a <strong>30% acceptance rate<\/strong> and over <strong>50,000 students<\/strong>, UF is one of the largest universities in the country, but the Fisher School still provides <strong>personalized support<\/strong> for accounting students.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UF graduates are very successful, with <strong>over 95% finding jobs or continuing their education<\/strong>. The average starting salary for accounting grads is around <strong>$61,000<\/strong>, and the school is well-known for its <strong>high CPA exam pass rates<\/strong>. Below are the key details of <strong>University of Florida- Fisher School of Accounting:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"ul-table-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"table-layout:fixed;width:100%;\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Gainesville, Florida\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>1853\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Acceptance Rate<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>About 30%\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Over 50,000\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Bachelor\u2019s, Master\u2019s, and Ph.D. programs in Accounting\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Marco Rubio (U.S. Senator), Bob Graham (Former Governor of Florida)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tuition<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>$6,380 (in-state); $28,658 (out-of-state) per year\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Class Size<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>17:1 student-faculty ratio\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Career Success<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Over 95% job or grad school placement; $61,000 average salary\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Website<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.ufl.edu\/UGRD\/colleges-schools\/UGACT\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Fisher School of Accounting\">Fisher School of Accounting<\/a>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A great accounting education opens the door to a successful and rewarding career. These top universities\u2014like <strong>BYU<\/strong>, <strong>Indiana University<\/strong>, and <strong>UIUC<\/strong>\u2014offer strong programs, supportive communities, and excellent job opportunities after graduation. Whether you\u2019re aiming to work for a global firm or start your own business, these schools give you the skills and experience you need. With high CPA pass rates, strong alumni networks, and real-world training, any of these schools can help you take the next step toward your accounting goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Finding the right university is just the first step\u2014next, secure a safe and convenient student housing!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explore fully furnished\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/country\/united-states\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"student accommodations in United States\">student accommodations in United States<\/a><\/strong> with\u00a0<strong>University Living<\/strong>. Whether you\u2019re heading to\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-states\/city\/newyork\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"New York\">New York<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-states\/city\/boston\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"Boston\">Boston<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-states\/city\/washington-dc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"Washington\">Washington<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-states\/city\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"California\">California<\/a>, Texas, or beyond<\/strong>, we\u2019ve got verified, budget-friendly options near your university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re thinking about a career in accounting, choosing the right school can make all the difference. The best accounting schools in the USA not only offer top-ranked programs but also provide real-world experience, high job placement rates, and strong industry connections. From UT Austin to Notre Dame and UF, these schools are known for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18703,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[974],"tags":[994],"class_list":["post-18603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-admission-guide","tag-united-states"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18603\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}