Top 10 Best Online Accounting Degree Programs

Finding the best online accounting degree program to start your career can be tough. Starting your bachelor’s degree program in accounting is the first big step to a career in the accounting industry. Whether you want to become a CPA, work for a big four firm, or just run your own company more effectively, earning a BA or BS in accounting is the way to do it. No other educational subject is as versatile as an accounting program. Accountants can work in many different capacities in industry, public accounting, or government. For instance, a certified public accountant could start his or her career in public accounting in an advisory role. The same CPA could take his knowledge of finances and become a controller, board member, or CFO of a company. He could also get into government. There’s an endless amount of possibilities and positions that accountants can fulfill.

That’s why the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that accountants would be the most in demand workforce in the next decade. With new tax regulations and business oversight, it’s no wonder why the field is growing so much. Even in down economies, the need for qualified professional accountants remains high. It’s a great field to go into, but many people can’t spend four years of their lives pursuing a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree in accounting degree. Due to family, employment status, and schedules people can go back to college. Some people just can move uproot their families.

That’s okay though. Unlike a few decades ago, today there are a many accredited online accounting schools that have accounting programs online. The stigma behind online education is quickly fading because many accounting schools have invested heavily in their accounting degree programs online and made them just as rigorous and respected as traditional degrees. Finding these respected schools is the important thing. Not all accounting programs online are equal. They all claim you will learn the same information and have the same career opportunities, but that not true.

I’ve made a list of the best online accounting degrees in 2019 and the top online accounting schools that offer these bachelor and master degrees in accounting. These colleges, universities, and online institutes are some of the most respected schools that consistently place their graduates into successful careers. Let’s take a look at some of the best online bachelor’s degree programs for accounting and compare the top accredited online accounting degrees for undergraduate, bachelors, and masters degree programs available on the internet in 2019.

Compare the Top Accounting Degrees Online in 2019 Below

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Compare the Top Accounting Degrees Online in 2019 Below

Here’s a list of the best accounting degree programs online that will prepare you to become an accounting professional and start your career today!

The Pennsylvania State University – Penn State World Campus

The Pennsylvania State University was founded in 1855 and has since become one of the most respected Big 10 schools. Penn State’s reputation for innovation stems from their three pillars of teaching, research, and public service. It made history when it introduced the first distance-learning program online in 1998 called the Penn State World Campus. The purpose was to provide a high level education for students who were physically unable to attend a traditional school classroom. World Campus students earn the same exact diploma that on campus students earn.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

Penn State World Campus does not offer an online undergraduate degree in accounting, but it does offer a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on accounting. Students learn the basics of business in the core business courses including economics, law, statistics, and finance. In addition, students will learn the fundamentals of accounting with the 18-credit hour emphasis teaching financial accounting, taxation, auditing, and assurance. The 120-credit hour degree requirements can be taken completely on the internet and meet most of the CPA exam education requirements. Most students who want to pursue their CPA typically enroll in the online MBA program.

Here’s more information about the Penn State World Campus BS in Accounting requirements.

Degrees Offered:

Certificates
BS
MS
MBA
PhD

Penn State World Campus Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 3,069
Tuition – $535 per credit hour – in state
$579 per credit hour – out of state
Accreditation
All Penn State online business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

University of Alabama-Birmingham

Collat School of Business Online

The University of Alabama was originally founded in 1936 and has become known for its quality education and practical hands on learning approach. UAB was one of the first universities to be accredited by the AACSB International. The Collat Online Business School was founded in 2001 and has been ranked in the top 10 online schools by US News and World Report and The Princeton Review. It offers both bachelor and master degrees in accounting on the internet. These degree programs are equivalent to the traditional programs and grant students the same diplomas. In fact, UAB says that students who graduate online will become one of the 115,000 students who have graduated from UAB worldwide.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

Collat School of Business Online offers a few different undergraduate degrees as well as graduate level programs. Its motto is “Online Degrees for Tomorrow’s Business Leaders.” This is exactly what it provides. Its coursework is designed to lay foundational accounting knowledge that a student needs to pursue an accounting certificate like the certified public accountant or certified managerial accountant credential. The UBA online Bachelor of Science in accounting program teaches accounting principles, marketing concepts, economic fundamentals, and business processes. Students can use these broad-based skills in almost any area of an accounting career.

Here’s more information about the UAB online BS in Accounting requirements.

Degrees Offered:

UAB Collat Online School of Business Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 106
Tuition – $573 per credit hour
Accreditation
The UAB business and accounting programs have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Northeastern University – Online College of Professional Studies

Northeastern University is a renowned private college located in Boston, MA. Since its inception in 1898, it has expanded to several more campuses in Seattle, Charlotte, and online. Northeastern’s reputation for excellence stems from its dedication to research and truth. Its online degree program is no different. Its internet based accounting degree is focused on creating a traditional classroom feel to teach accounting principles and communication skills. The easy to navigate online platform allows students to communicate with faculty, students, and partners in the modern age. Northeastern University consistently ranks highly for its professional programs and provides its graduates with a firm foundation for their careers.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

The online bachelor’s degree in accounting at Northeastern consists of 38-quarter hours of core studies. These courses include financial accounting, reporting and analysis, business law, economics, and statistics. Each class is designed to teach the necessary skills and knowledge to start a career in accounting. The comprehensive 163-quarter hour internet-based degree program also includes management and business strategy classes. The NEU online curriculum helps student develop critical thinking skills that prepare them for management roles that require an analytical mindset. NEU also offers classes for international students in many different languages.

Here’s more information about the Northeastern online BS in Accounting requirements.

Degrees Offered:

NEU College of Professional Studies Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 201
Tuition – $378 per credit hour
Accreditation
The NEU online Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Washington State University – Global Campus

Washington State University was formed in 1890 as a public research institute in Pullman, Washington. WSU has become one of the most well respected research institutes in the Pacific Northwest. It’s also the second largest college in the state of Washington with almost 25,000 students currently enrolled. WSU saw the need for distance learning in the early 2000s and created the WSU Global Campus in 2012. The Global Campus provides online-based courses and training on the same subjects and courses as the main campus. Although newer to the concept of formal online education, WSU has embraced the idea and created a platform that helps students learn and start their careers. Global Campus students graduate with the same degrees as students attending the main campuses and even have their own business academic advisors.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

The WSU online undergraduate degree in accounting starts with the University Common Requirements or UCORE consisting of basic English, Math, and Science courses designed to help students engage and learn general skills and study habits. The accounting major starts with a 30 credit hours of certification classes like general accounting, business law, and statistics. After the certification courses are finished WSU requires each accounting major to complete 15 credit hours of advanced business and finance courses before he or she begins the 18 credit hour accounting coursework. In addition to these 63 credit hours, students must also fulfill the elective and global learning requirements. Needless to say, this curriculum is thorough and designed to prepare you for life after college.

Here’s more information about the WSU online BS accounting degree requirements.

Degrees Offered:

Washington State University Global Campus Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 3,100
Tuition – $543 per credit hour
Accreditation
The Washington State University Global Campus degrees are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Clarion University – Online

Clarion University was founded in 1867 as part of the PA State System of Higher Education. The accounting department has developed the coursework and vision for the online degree program to include everything students need to pursue a career in accounting. They pride themselves in keeping class sizes small, so students can get the individual attention needed to make sure they succeed. It’s for this reason Clarion has been ranked among the top online distance learning programs by US News & World Report.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

Clarion has developed several different tracks that student can pursue. The first track is an accounting major that includes 48 credit hours of general education requirements and at least 15 credit hours of both lower and upper level business and accounting courses. The Clarion online bachelors of accounting also offers a certificate that demonstrates a student’s eligibility to sit for the CPA exam. Students who want to take for the CPA exam and become a CPA should use the CPA exam eligibility certificate to ensure they take all of the proper courses required by the state to sit for the exam. This certificate is a 20-month, fully online program that has helped hundreds of students reach their goals of becoming a CPA. Understanding the CPA exam educational requirements is difficult, but this certificate makes it much easier. This is a great option for anyone who wants to get an online CPA degree.

Here’s more information about the online Clarion accounting degree requirements.

Degrees Offered:

Clarion University Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 5,898 total
Tuition – $5,076 including fees
Accreditation
The Clarion College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.

Colorado State University – Global Campus

The Colorado State University was formed in 1870 with a billed signed by Governor McCook. Today, it’s one of the largest colleges in Colorado boasting more than 32,000 students currently enrolled. They have also created one of the best performing online undergraduate degree programs called CSU Global Campus. With more than 6,500 students enrolled in various online degree programs, the CSU Global Campus gives the respect and prestige of an accredited college to students while giving them the flexibility of distance learning. Graduates of the CSU Global Campus understand the complexities of the work place and are prepared to start a career in a public accounting, industry, government, or non-profit setting. CSU graduates use their financial perspective to lead organizations.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

The CSU Global Campus online bachelors of science in accounting is a full four-year BS degree. CSU allows credits to be transferred from other programs or campuses into the Global Campus setting initially as long certain requirements are met. The 17-three credit core classes, however, cannot be transferred and must be taken at CSU. These core classes consist of upper level financial and managerial accounting, finance, and auditing classes and are designed to help students think like leaders. Other courses like the Capstone accounting research and analysis class hone the students’ analytical thinking skills by using the knowledge gained in the previous core classes to calculate risk, opportunity, and make management business judgment calls in a simulated business environment. Students can also enroll in classes every eight weeks without waiting for the next semester to start.

Here’s more information about the CSU accounting degree online requirements.

Degrees Offered:

Colorado State University Global Campus Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 6,500 total
Tuition – $350 per credit hour
Accreditation
The CSU Global Campus online degree programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association.

Florida Tech University Online

Florida Tech University was founded in 1958 as a private technical school in Melbourne, Florida. Originally an engineering and science based institute, Florida Tech has focused its efforts on creating a world-class business school. Its online platform offers a bachelor’s of arts in accounting completely online. This provides the prestige of a respected tech college and the convenience of online education. Students can also receive an associates and master’s degree in accounting from Florida Tech, a Tier 1 University as rated by US News and World Report.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

The Florida Tech online bachelor’s degree in accounting helps students gain the necessary knowledge and skills they need to pursue a career in public or private accounting. The curriculum is designed to train students to become tax accountants, controllers, and auditors in the required 106 credit hours of general education, business, and accounting courses. In addition, students must take 15 credit hours of elective courses that can be used to focus on specific career paths. Since Florida Tech is a technical school, its coursework is centered on preparing students for a job and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed.

Here’s more information about the Florida Tech accounting online degree requirements.

Degrees Offered:

Florida Tech Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 3,636 total
Tuition – $510 per credit hour
Accreditation
Florida Tech is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

University of Maryland – University College

The University of Maryland was founded in 1947 as a public college in Prince George’s Country. UMUC started offering online classes as part of its distance-learning program in the 2000s. It has several different options for non-traditional students and professionals. Since many people want the benefits of a traditional classroom education as well as the convenience of an internet-based degree program, UMUC offers a hybrid partial virtual, partial real life classes. These courses have been received well by students, professionals, and employers because it allows students the ability to work a full time job and go to college without taking all night classes. UMUC also offers many different fully online degree programs.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

UMUC’s bachelor’s degree in accounting online was created to replicate a real life working environment and give students realistic experience before they graduate. The accounting department of UMUC worked closely with businesses, employers, and executives to develop a curriculum and set of requirements that prepare students to enter the accounting profession with success. The coursework includes guest lectures by employers and recruiters to help students understand what the real world expects from them after they graduate. Students are required to complete 150 credit hours of general education, business, financial, and accounting classes in either a bachelors or masters degree program. This requirement also fulfills the CPA exam educational limit, so graduates can sit for the exam immediately following graduation.

Here’s more information about the University of Maryland’s accounting online degree requirements.

Degrees Offered:

University of Maryland Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 35,000 total including on campus students
Tuition – $31,920 total
Accreditation
The University College at the University of Maryland is recognized by the is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Minnesota – Crookston

The University of Minnesota in Crookston was established in 1895 as a farming school where experimental research was performed. Today, the college has come a long way from its roots offering 33 undergraduate degree programs. Its top five-degree programs include business management, finance, and accounting. UMC adapted these popular programs for distance learners and created the BS online program. Each student enrolled in an Internet based degree is given a laptop to do his or her coursework from anywhere. The UMC online programs are well respected among the business community and have ranked in the top 5 best online degrees by the Princeton Review as well as US News and World Report.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

The UMC accounting BS degree online program consists of accounting and finance courses designed to challenge its students’ theoretical, analytical, and communication skills. UMC students have the benefit of small classes where they have constant interaction with professors and instructors. This is something not commonly seen in online education. The online curriculum prepares students to become CPA exam candidates and eventual certified public accountants. UMC graduates also choose to pursue multiple other professional certifications like the certified managerial accountant and certified internal auditor designations. With an online undergraduate degree in accounting from UMC, students are well equipped to start any career in the accounting industry.

Here’s more information about the University of Minnesota’s accounting online degree requirements.

Degrees Offered:

University of Minnesota Crookston Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 1,813
Tuition – $437 per credit hour
Accreditation
The UMC is recognized by the is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges.

Post University

Post University is a public college that was founded in 1890. Its innovative stance on education and commitment to practice based courses and hands-on curriculum has earned the respect of many other institutions. In fact, the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business ranked Post’s accounting program top 10 for return on investment for graduates’ pay scale. Post University graduates learn how to use and apply the accounting skills and business fundamentals in meaningful ways that propel them forward in their careers. Post graduates receive offers from national and local businesses, accounting firms, and governmental agencies. Most graduates also go on to pass at least one accounting certification exam: CPA, CMA, CIA, etc.

Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements

The Post internet-based accounting degree is focused on providing students with education they can use and apply. Their motto is “student focused, career driven.” This rings true in their curriculum. Students are required to take 60 credits of general education classes to improve their communication skills. Post places a huge emphasis on students being able to apply accounting knowledge in the real world. Big 4 firms have said that communication is one of the most important deciding factors in choosing to hire a new staff member. Post’s requirements focus on this fact. The accounting major requirements include a business core of 18 credit hours of general business and economics courses and an accounting core with 33 credit hours of in depth accounting courses.

Here’s more information about the Post University online bachelor’s in accounting requirements.

Degrees Offered:

Post University Online Statistics

Current students Enrolled: 8,082
Tuition – $570 per credit hour
Accreditation
The online BS in Accounting degree from Post University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.