If you’re currently searching for a more flexible and convenient way to earn your bachelor’s degree in accounting, then enrolling in an online program could be the ideal solution for you.
With an online program, you can balance your studies with work and other commitments, allowing you to pursue your education at your own pace.
Additionally, online accounting programs typically offer a wide range of courses covering various aspects of the field, from financial reporting to taxation, auditing, and more.
This means you can tailor your studies to your interests and career goals while gaining valuable skills and knowledge that are in high demand in today’s job market.
Top Accounting Program Rankings Summary
| RANK | SCHOOL | IN-STATE TUITION | OUT-OF-STATE TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The University of West Florida Pensacola, FL | $3,735 | $16,004 | 53% |
| #2 | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | $29,950 | $29,950 | 70% |
| #3 | Eastern New Mexico University Portales, NM | $4,074 | $6,114 | 33% |
| #4 | University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, MN | $10,822 | $10,822 | 48% |
| #5 | National University San Diego, CA | $13,320 | $13,320 | 55% |
| #6 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT | $7,162 | $7,162 | Not provided |
| #7 | Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA | $37,518 | $37,518 | 66% |
| #8 | Trine University Fort Wayne, IN | $9,576 | $9,576 | 60% |
| #9 | Brescia University Owensboro, KY | $26,000 | $26,000 | 53% |
| #10 | Illinois College Jacksonville, IL | $34,752 | $34,752 | 75% |
Best Accounting Online Bachelor’s Degrees
1. The University of West Florida
- Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $219
- Out-of-State | $342
- Credits to Graduate: 120
The College of Business at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, offers an online, fully online accounting BSBA that gives a base in marketing, operations strategies, and business systems before advancing to more advanced accounting courses.
With the UWF’s accounting online BSBA course, students will develop communication, problem-solving, and technical accounting skills. The curriculum consists of courses such as Auditing, accounting and information technology accounting for forensics and taxation of individual taxpayers.
Students may also undertake an optional accounting internship. Graduates of the program meet the requirements of the state of Florida education requirements for taking CPA, the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination.
2. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $496
- Out-of-State | $496
- Credits to Graduate: 120
The college is located in Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana; Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers an online BS in accounting, which can prepare students for various accounting jobs in the industry, government, and non-profit sector.
The program also allows students to obtain various accounting certifications. The program includes classes such as individual tax preparation, auditing theories and practices, accounting measurements and disclosures, and accounting systems.
Students can choose between two possible concentrations in entrepreneurial and professional tax preparation.
3. Eastern New Mexico University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $175
- Out-of-State | $257
- Credits to Graduate: 120
The fully online bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting at Eastern New Mexico University, located in Portales, New Mexico, prepares students for various roles in the accounting industry and professional certificates.
Accounting majors who are enrolled are eligible to submit applications for ENMU Foundation scholarships.
Essential courses for majors include cost accounting, government and not-for-profit accounting, and Accounting Information Systems Theory.
The program offers Asynchronous and synchronous learning, giving students the flexibility they need and the opportunity to communicate with their classmates and instructors in real-time.
4. University of Minnesota-Crookston
- Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $441
- Out-of-State | $441
- Credits to Graduate: 120
UMN Crookston provides an entirely online BS level in accounting designed for those interested in working in private, public, or government accounting.
The business department partners together with Gleim CPA Review to offer four online CPA review courses. Crookston accounting students complete 40 credits of liberal education and 63 credits of accounting, business, and management courses.
The program is designed to teach the fundamentals of analytical, theoretical, leadership, and communication techniques to allow graduates to excel professionally. Recent graduates have earned between $41,600 and $60,000 per year.
5. National University
- Programmatic Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education
- 2023-2024 Tuition Average: $13,284
- Credits to Graduate: 180
National University offers a bachelor of science degree in accounting entirely online or on-site at various locations all over California. This is a fantastic program for adults who require additional flexibility and help.
The course structure is four weeks long and will help you manage your obligations and get through the course faster. The curriculum aligns with industry-standard tests like CPA, CPA, CFA, and CME examinations.
The curriculum comprises 6 general education courses, four business courses, and 13 accounting classes. The live classes are recorded so students can view and learn independently.
6. Western Governors University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Cost per Six-Month Term:
- In-State | $3,955
- Out-of-State | $3,955
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Distance learners can earn an online flexible accounting BSBA degree at the College of Business at Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The WGU’s online program based on competencies allows students to quickly advance to the next course once they’ve demonstrated mastery in the subject through a test.
The curriculum for career-focused students comprises 41 classes that focus on values-based leadership, business law, financial accounting for accountants, and management fundamentals. The majority of students complete the program within less than three years.
7. Buena Vista University
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $465
- Out-of-State | $465
- Credits to Graduate: 120
In Storm Lake, Iowa, Buena Vista University provides a fully online bachelor’s degree in accounting via the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business.
Each accounting graduate is awarded two majors in business and accounting, which can give them an edge over other job applicants.
The course covers data communication and interpretation and will prepare students to pass the CPA examination when they finish their studies.
Accounting classes include cost accounting, taxation for businesses, sophisticated Excel spreadsheets, and professional and business communication. Students may also complete an accounting internship.
8. Trine University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $299-$399
- Out-of-State | $299-$399
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Trine University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers an ACBSP-accredited online BSBA in accounting through the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
The major courses are cost accounting auditing, advanced management finance, and personal tax. Trine’s BSBA Accounting classes are offered at a synchronous time that lasts for eight weeks.
Students may also receive graduate credits toward master’s degrees in analytics for business or administration while pursuing classes for this degree.
They can save up to $8,625 while receiving two degrees simultaneously. The program offers hands-on training working with QuickBooks as well as Peachtree software.
9. Brescia University
- Cost per Credit: $450
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Brescia University is a private, Catholic, liberal arts school in Owensboro, Kentucky, that provides an entirely accessible bachelor of science degree in accounting.
Brescia’s B.S. in accounting offers a program that fulfills the requirement for credit hours to be licensed across every state and within Washington, D.C. Brescia is committed to providing an affordable education and flexible courses for online students.
Its BS in accounting is a broad program designed to provide students with broad and specific skills and training in the accounting field. The major courses are accounting business law, ethics microeconomics, taxation and auditing.
10. Illinois College
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $375
- Out-of-State | $375
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Illinois College offers an online degree that is accelerated in accounting and can take just fifteen months to complete, subject to the number of previous college credits you have.
The course covers business analytics, risk assessment accounting, financial management, and income tax. Students must take the accounting capstone course to finish their studies and gain hands-on experience with optional internships.
The program provides full-time and part-time opportunities. The major courses are agricultural finance and economics fundamentals.
Why Should I Get an Online Accounting Degree?
There are several benefits to studying accounting online.
- Use your time wisely by enrolling in accelerated accounting courses.
- Save money by reducing commuting costs, room and board expenses, and on-campus fees.
- Enjoy the flexibility to study from wherever you are, whenever works best for you.
Furthermore, earning an accounting degree online can help you get various highly-paying career options in small business, non-profit, or government organizations. Based on the BLS, the median annual income of accounting professionals in 2022 was $78,000, with the highest-paid accountants earning more than $132,690 in a year. The most important thing to do to land the best accounting job is choosing the best online accounting program. We’ve done the task of determining the top programs for you.
What to Expect From an Online Accounting Bachelor’s Degree
The faculty of online courses often includes instructors who are the same as those teaching in-person classes. The courses that comprise online and on-campus degrees may be comparable. However, there are a few distinctions that distinguish the two methods of delivery.
For example, On-campus program requirements require the students to take classes in person. The courses are scheduled to meet at specific times and provide opportunities for face–to–face interactions with classmates and instructors.
However, students enrolled in online courses don’t attend campus classes. Synchronous classes use web conferencing, providing students with live online lectures and group discussions. Asynchronous classes offer flexible schedules since they do not require participants to sign in at specific times.
Is an Online Accounting Degree Worth It?
A bachelor’s degree in accounting earned online lets students learn at their own pace. Traditional students are required to attend established classes and times. However, online students can take classes from their homes.
Certain distance learning programs are self-paced or speeded up. Because of this, remote students can earn their degrees faster than campus students. A majority of remote students finish their studies in less than four full years studies.
There are other aspects to consider when you decide to take online courses. Are the schools accredited? Does the way of delivering the program suit your needs? Does the program require personal participation in certain elements?
- Online education allows students to choose an online program that matches their needs, no matter where they live.
- Students with a variety of commitments to their work and personal lives have the option of online learning while taking on the coursework.
- Online programs can charge less tuition, making an online degree less expensive than its counterpart on campus.
- Students might be unable to finish an online degree due to the absence of face-to-face interactions with classmates and professors.
- Online students may not get access to similar resources, for example, job fairs -the same as in-person students.
- Online students need a reliable internet connection, including the internet.
FAQs About an Online Accounting Bachelor’s Degree
Is a BA or BS better for accounting?
A bachelor’s degree in accounting focuses on the accounting’s quantitative aspects. It can be more advantageous for those who plan to earn a doctoral degree and seek a certified public accountant (CPA) license. Accounting BA programs typically require more liberal-arts courses within the General Education curriculum, allowing students to pursue more courses beyond math and accounting.
Is an online accounting degree worth it?
Yes. With the increasing popularity of online education, aided by the COVID-19 virus, employers view online degrees as of equal importance to traditional degrees, especially when those degrees are from accredited institutions.
How much is an online degree in accounting?
An online bachelor’s degree in accounting degree differs by institution. Public schools in Indiana tend to provide the lowest tuition as opposed to private institutions, and out-of-state public institutions offer higher tuition. Certain online schools charge online or in-state tuition regardless of residency in the state.
How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree in accounting online?
Obtaining a bachelor’s certificate in accountancy can take 2-4 years of full-time studies. Students who have previously completed coursework may earn their degrees in less than 4 years. Specific programs have acceleration tracks that speed up the completion time of learners.
