Best Online Accounting Degree Programs of 2025

Accounting is a fast-changing field. AI is shaking up the industry, and financial technology, or fintech, is evolving at a rapid pace.

Businesses are scrambling to adjust to those changes — and hiring projections reflect this. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average growth for accountant jobs over the next decade.

Fortunately, an online degree in accounting can prepare you to meet that demand without breaking the bank or taking time out of the workforce.

We ranked accounting degrees that are not only affordable but also lead to good outcomes for their graduates.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The best online accounting degree program for you will not only be affordable but also help you fulfill your career goals. Be sure to consider your personal goals and a program’s curriculum and specialization options before choosing a school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), an online bachelor’s degree in business — which includes bachelor’s in accounting programs — typically costs about $ 10,500 in tuition and fees per year.

That said, prices can vary depending on the type of school you attend and how much aid you get. Full-time programs tend to cost more than part-time programs. And degrees at prestigious business schools are often pricier than those at smaller schools.

Cost is a major concern for online business students: In our survey, 22% of online business students and graduates said paying for higher education while minimizing student debt was the most significant challenge they faced.

Financial aid — whether received by filling out the FAFSA or qualifying for grants and scholarships — can further cut down the cost of your online accounting degree.

A typical online accounting degree requires 120 credits, which usually takes four years to complete.

But this isn’t always the case. Many colleges offer accelerated online programs that can be completed in 1-3 years. These programs usually include intensive classes with short, fast-paced instruction to truncate four years of content into a shorter time span.

Transferring credits is also an option for shortening your time in school. St. Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an online accounting degree that takes just a year and allows you to transfer up to 90 credits — which accounts for three-quarters of the degree requirements.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans with some college but no degree, choosing an accounting degree-completion program can help you earn your degree faster for less money.

Accreditation is a good way to tell whether or not a program is teaching relevant, industry-ready skills.

While colleges can receive institutional accreditation from regional and national accrediting bodies, individual business schools and accounting degree programs can receive programmatic accreditation from specialized third-party organizations.

The three main business and accounting accreditors to look for are:

AACSB has long been considered the gold standard for business school accreditation. The agency looks at business schools as a whole as well as individual accounting programs.

“AACSB-accredited institutions tend to have the biggest name recognition with employers, and most state CPA licensing boards consider AACSB to be the highest-quality certification,” says Colin Smith, a CPA with nearly 15 years of experience.

ACBSP and IACBE, meanwhile, both evaluate business and accounting programs — rather than entire business schools — based on their outcomes and industry relevance.

Attending an individually accredited program isn’t a requirement to become a certified public accountant, but it’s one easy way to ensure you’ll learn the necessary skills to pass your certification exam.

Accounting jobs are on the rise. The BLS projects a 6% growth in jobs for accountants and auditors over the next decade, which is faster than average.

Many online accounting degree-holders become certified public accountants, or CPAs. As a CPA, you can legally take on audits and other CPA-specific tasks. Many employers look for this certification in job candidates.

An online accounting degree can set you on the path to becoming a CPA, but you’ll also need to take additional exams to fulfill licensure requirements. The CPA exam is required to be a CPA.

Other exams, like the Certified Management Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor exams, can help certify your skills to potential employers.

An online accounting degree can be a good major to help you land high-paying jobs without having to leave your current career. According to the BLS, accountants and auditors earned a median salary of $79,880 per year as of May 2023.

But an accounting degree can set you up for more than just a traditional accounting or auditing job — financial analysts, budget analysts, and actuaries all earn higher median salaries than accountants and auditors.

“Be sure to consider the post-degree employment statistics of any programs you’re considering and see if they offer any assistance with finding a job, such as hosting job fairs or offering resume review services,” recommends Smith. “These little things can make the difference between landing that first job right out of school versus having an extended job search.”

Additionally, business schools are increasingly gearing their degrees toward working professionals, with asynchronous classes to help you maintain your personal and professional life while earning your bachelor’s.

And finally, there’s cost: Online degrees tend to be more affordable than traditional programs, leading to a better return on investment (ROI). In our survey, over 9 in 10 online college students and program graduates said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive ROI.

A bachelor’s in accounting can land you a job, but you can take your education further to break into the management field or land a more specialized position.

A master’s in accounting often includes specializations in areas like information systems, forensic auditing, corporate accounting, and taxation to help you advance your skills. You’ll also study financial policy and investing.

Alternatively, you could earn a master of business administration (MBA) to broaden your managerial skills and professional network.

If you’re interested in economic research and teaching, you could pursue a doctorate in accounting. This terminal degree can open up high-level research positions and jobs in academia.