Earn Your Master’s in Accounting Online — No GMAT Required
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
A master’s degree in accounting can lead to career advancement and high pay, but getting into a program can be a challenge.
You’ll typically need an undergraduate degree to pursue a master’s degree in accounting, with many schools having a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement. You also might have to submit letters of reference and essays.
Though a growing number of business schools are moving away from entrance exams such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), either by offering waivers or not requiring any exams to apply, it is still required by some master’s in accounting programs.
Applying to an accounting master’s program with no GMAT requirement can save you time and money and jump start your journey to career advancement.
15 MS in Accounting Online Programs With No GMAT
While the following schools don’t necessarily require the GMAT, it can still serve to bolster your application and help you land financial aid. This isn’t an exhaustive list: many online and in-person accounting master’s programs offer waivers for the GMAT or don’t require entrance exams at all.
| University | Cost per credit* |
|---|---|
| University of Arizona Global Campus | $460 |
| Bellevue University | $660 |
| George Mason University | $910.25 |
| University of Illinois | $850 |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | $659 |
| University of Massachusetts, Lowell | $655 |
| Michigan State University | $817.25 |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $1,446.36 |
| Ohio University | $973 |
| Purdue University Global | $485 |
| Rutgers University | $1,298 |
| Seton Hall University | $1,520 |
| Syracuse University | $1,945 |
| Texas A&M University | $405-$515 |
| College of William & Mary | $1,631 |
MBA vs. MS in Accounting: Which Is Better?
A number of master of business administration (MBA) programs offer specializations in accounting, and almost all MBA curriculum touches on accounting and finance. These programs can be helpful if you want to add accounting skills to your repertoire or move into management as an accountant, but they typically don’t offer the intensive training that a master of science in accounting does.
A master of science in accounting also tends to be geared toward younger professionals, whereas a typical MBA might have more work experience requirements. Both degrees can help you stand out and advance your career, but an MBA will generally be more geared toward business leadership rather than the specialized accounting focus of a typical master of science in accounting program.
Is an Online Master’s in Accounting Worth It?
A master’s degree in accounting can lead to a good return on your investment. Accountants and auditors made nearly $80,000 as of May 2023, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A master’s degree can lead to leadership and managerial positions that pay even more: financial managers made in excess of $156,000.
It can also lead to more specialized careers in areas like forensic accounting. Many online master’s in accounting programs offer specializations in forensics and other high-demand fields like taxation, auditing, and business administration.
Online degrees are increasingly respected by employers. Pursuing an online degree can also give you the flexibility you may need to get your master’s without leaving the workforce. Many programs offer asynchronous learning options geared toward working students.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Accounting Degrees
A master’s in accounting isn’t the same as certified professional accountant (CPA) licensure. CPA licensure and requirements vary by state. Many master’s programs are geared toward fulfilling their respective state’s CPA requirements.
