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

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$141,931	$40,815	$17,500	A
2	Bucknell University PA · Private	87	$130,990	$40,766	$26,881	B
3	Santa Clara University CA · Private	90	$130,087	$50,062	$19,250	A
4	Boston College MA · Private	92	$126,461	$41,704	$18,000	A
5	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$125,874	$36,931	$23,179	B+
6	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$121,101	$32,740	$16,500	A
7	Villanova University PA · Private	89	$120,207	$43,756	$25,858	B+
8	American University DC · Private	74	$119,020	$41,943	N/A	-
9	Washington and Lee University VA · Private	91	$118,946	$23,781	$16,750	A
10	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$117,024	$44,338	$23,970	B+
11	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$116,795	$36,586	$24,875	B
12	University of Notre Dame IN · Private	97	$115,909	$26,780	$19,000	A
13	The Catholic University of America DC · Private	77	$114,909	$29,561	$25,725	B
14	College of the Holy Cross MA · Private	85	$114,088	$38,782	$27,000	B
15	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$112,682	$38,793	$27,000	B
16	University of Richmond VA · Private	81	$112,202	$31,309	$20,757	B+
17	Loyola Marymount University CA · Private	72	$111,733	$48,381	$17,000	A
18	The College of New Jersey NJ · Public	83	$111,509	$27,646	$22,500	B+
19	Fairfield University CT · Private	79	$110,586	$48,095	$26,633	B
20	University of San Diego CA · Private	88	$109,142	$30,365	$24,969	B
21	Bentley University MA · Private	94	$108,343	$37,930	$27,000	B
22	Saint Mary's College of California CA · Private	81	$107,570	$30,378	$25,000	B
23	Endicott College MA · Private	52	$107,497	$40,654	N/A	-
24	University of Connecticut CT · Public	85	$106,959	$25,097	$21,898	B+
25	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus CT · Public	85	$106,959	$10,875	$21,898	B+
26	University of Connecticut-Avery Point CT · Public	87	$106,959	$13,807	$21,898	B+
27	University of Connecticut-Stamford CT · Public	84	$106,959	$16,798	$21,898	B+
28	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus CT · Public	87	$106,959	$16,403	$21,898	B+
29	Binghamton University NY · Public	89	$106,323	$21,620	$19,500	B+
30	Marist University NY · Private	74	$106,313	$41,544	$23,250	B+
31	Elon University NC · Private	75	$105,707	$41,555	$20,000	B+
32	Muhlenberg College PA · Private	74	$105,494	$28,905	$27,000	B
33	University of Delaware DE · Public	86	$105,425	$17,799	$26,177	B
34	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$105,143	$19,857	$19,462	B+
35	Dallas Baptist University TX · Private	51	$103,694	$28,516	N/A	-
36	Southern Methodist University TX · Private	79	$103,675	$40,892	$15,850	A
37	Texas A&M University-College Station TX · Public	89	$103,662	$21,315	$17,641	B+
38	Quinnipiac University CT · Private	79	$103,533	$40,675	$24,000	B+
39	Loyola University Maryland MD · Private	83	$103,352	$30,574	$27,000	B
40	Providence College RI · Private	76	$103,245	$48,523	$27,000	B
41	Ithaca College NY · Private	62	$102,626	$33,926	$25,000	A
42	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$102,626	$31,446	$25,000	B
43	University of Miami FL · Private	78	$102,344	$37,244	$17,500	A
44	Chapman University CA · Private	64	$102,147	$46,555	$21,250	B+
45	Baylor University TX · Private	63	$102,011	$41,104	$20,500	B+
46	Texas Christian University TX · Private	71	$101,938	$36,660	$17,778	A
47	Miami University-Oxford OH · Public	54	$101,808	$28,384	$23,000	B+
48	University of Wisconsin-Madison WI · Public	91	$101,390	$17,354	$21,294	B+
49	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public	93	$101,098	$14,355	$20,500	B+
50	Adelphi University NY · Private	75	$100,895	$30,783	$21,591	A

School-by-school analysis: Accounting

Editorial breakdowns of how accounting graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.

Georgetown University

DC · Private · $141,931 4yr earnings · $17,500 median debt

Georgetown Accounting (55 graduates) earns $89,564 at year one and $141,931 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.195 (ROI grade A) is clean. Accounting at McDonough feeds into Big Four public accounting and corporate finance roles in the Mid-Atlantic market. The DC location and Jesuit network create placement pathways into government contracting and regulatory finance work that differentiates Georgetown accounting graduates from those of many comparable programs.

Bucknell University

PA · Private · $130,990 4yr earnings · $26,881 median debt

Accounting (70 graduates) earns $75,776 at year one and $130,990 at year four, with a B-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.355 and $26,881 median debt. The 4-year figure of $130,990 is exceptional for an accounting program -- it likely reflects graduates who have passed CPA and moved into public accounting senior associate or manager roles at Big Four and regional firms. Bucknell's accounting pipeline is a genuine standout for a school its size.

Lehigh University

PA · Private · $125,874 4yr earnings · $23,179 median debt

Accounting (53 graduates) earns $77,026 year-one and $125,874 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.301 (B+ grade). Median debt of $23,179 is low. Accounting graduates from Lehigh enter the Big Four and regional public accounting firms at competitive starting salaries, and the four-year trajectory to $125k reflects CPA licensure and early manager-level promotions. This is among the highest-returning accounting programs in the mid-Atlantic region relative to cost.

Villanova University

PA · Private · $120,207 4yr earnings · $25,858 median debt

Villanova's accounting program sends 95 graduates a year into public accounting, corporate finance, and audit roles. Median 1-year earnings of $77,966 and 4-year earnings of $120,207 reflect the standard CPA-track trajectory: starting salaries at Big Four and regional firms, then CPA licensure and advancement. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.332 (ROI grade B+) is controlled. Accounting is among the most predictable ROI pathways at Villanova -- the career arc is well-defined, the regional demand for accountants is consistent, and the school's Catholic professional network adds placement use.

Washington and Lee University

VA · Private · $118,946 4yr earnings · $16,750 median debt

Accounting (40 graduates) is W&L's top ROI program: $81,625 year-one, $118,946 year-four, ROI grade A, with median debt of $16,750 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.205. The year-one figure of $81,625 is strong for any accounting program nationally, and reflects the quality of placement from a selective liberal arts institution into regional and national accounting firms. The four-year trajectory to $118,946 suggests CPA-track progression and potential movement into finance and management roles.

Fordham University

NY · Private · $117,024 4yr earnings · $23,970 median debt

Accounting (79 graduates) earns $76,473 year-one and $117,024 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.313 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $23,970 is well-matched against starting earnings in the mid-70s. Fordham accounting graduates pursue CPA licensure and place into Big Four firms at rates typical of strong regional accounting schools with urban positioning. The four-year jump to $117k reflects promotions and potential senior associate or manager-level roles.

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.

CPAs and accountants often launch their own firms. See accounting firm startup costs.

Best ROI Schools for Accounting All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

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.