Accounting

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)
$56,861
Median Earnings
$73,476
Schools Offering
774
ROI Grade
B+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $65,636Median: $73,47675th: $84,114

Best Schools for Accounting by Earnings

#School4yr Earnings
1Georgetown University
DC · Private
$141,931
2Bucknell University
PA · Private
$130,990
3Santa Clara University
CA · Private
$130,087
4Boston College
MA · Private
$126,461
5Lehigh University
PA · Private
$125,874
6University of Southern California
CA · Private
$121,101
7Villanova University
PA · Private
$120,207
8American University
DC · Private
$119,020
9Washington and Lee University
VA · Private
$118,946
10Fordham University
NY · Private
$117,024
11George Washington University
DC · Private
$116,795
12University of Notre Dame
IN · Private
$115,909
13The Catholic University of America
DC · Private
$114,909
14College of the Holy Cross
MA · Private
$114,088
15Syracuse University
NY · Private
$112,682
16University of Richmond
VA · Private
$112,202
17Loyola Marymount University
CA · Private
$111,733
18The College of New Jersey
NJ · Public
$111,509
19Fairfield University
CT · Private
$110,586
20University of San Diego
CA · Private
$109,142
21Bentley University
MA · Private
$108,343
22Saint Mary's College of California
CA · Private
$107,570
23Endicott College
MA · Private
$107,497
24University of Connecticut
CT · Public
$106,959
25University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
CT · Public
$106,959
26University of Connecticut-Avery Point
CT · Public
$106,959
27University of Connecticut-Stamford
CT · Public
$106,959
28University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
CT · Public
$106,959
29Binghamton University
NY · Public
$106,323
30Marist University
NY · Private
$106,313
31Elon University
NC · Private
$105,707
32Muhlenberg College
PA · Private
$105,494
33University of Delaware
DE · Public
$105,425
34The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
$105,143
35Dallas Baptist University
TX · Private
$103,694
36Southern Methodist University
TX · Private
$103,675
37Texas A&M University-College Station
TX · Public
$103,662
38Quinnipiac University
CT · Private
$103,533
39Loyola University Maryland
MD · Private
$103,352
40Providence College
RI · Private
$103,245
41Ithaca College
NY · Private
$102,626
42Seton Hall University
NJ · Private
$102,626
43University of Miami
FL · Private
$102,344
44Chapman University
CA · Private
$102,147
45Baylor University
TX · Private
$102,011
46Texas Christian University
TX · Private
$101,938
47Miami University-Oxford
OH · Public
$101,808
48University of Wisconsin-Madison
WI · Public
$101,390
49University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
IL · Public
$101,098
50Adelphi University
NY · Private
$100,895
Strong Value

Is Accounting Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

Accounting delivers above-average financial returns. Average earnings of $56,861 four years out put graduates in a strong position to handle student debt and build wealth. The ROI is solid, though school choice and specialization within the field matter.

With 774 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is American University, where graduates earn $119,020 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.