Best Online Master’s in Accounting Programs for 2024

Accounting is an essential component of any business today, and an online master’s degree program in accounting could ready graduates for CPA licensure or unlock job opportunities for those accountants seeking to boost their careers. To help guide people seeking a flexible way to obtain this graduate degree, Fortune is launching its ranking of the 11 best online master’s degree programs in accounting. This ranking was last updated April 2023.

1. University of Texas–Dallas

Richardson, TX

The University of Texas–Dallas doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. The program takes two years to complete and costs $37,696 for in-state students and $69,596 for out-of-state students. International students must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 to be considered for admission. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation to be considered for admission.

Tuition	$69,596
Acceptance rate	35%
Credits required to graduate	36

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's Wilson Library in the middle of campus.

2. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

The University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. Students need to complete between 36 and 48 credits in order to graduate. The total tuition for all students ranges from $52,069 to $69,425. If English is not your first language, you are required to submit a TOEFL score with an application. Admitted students have an undergraduate GPA of 3.4, on average.

Tuition	$52,069–$69,425
Acceptance rate	58%
Credits required to graduate	36–48

3. University of Massachusetts–Amherst

Amherst, MA

The University of Massachusetts–Amherst requires prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. Admitted students, on average, have a 620 GMAT score and 3.5 undergraduate GPA. The 1.5-year program costs $25,500 to complete. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, and international students are required to submit a TOEFL score of at least 100 to be considered for admission.

Tuition	$25,500
Acceptance rate	93%
Credits required to graduate	30

UC Davis Master of Management

The online Master of Management from UC Davis is a graduate business degree designed for recent college graduates, ambitious young professionals and career-changers aspiring to leadership roles.

The 15-month online Master of Management program provides aspiring leaders with a foundation in the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. No minimum professional experience is required.

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4. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY

SUNY Polytechnic Institute requires prospective students to submit a GMAT or GRE score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program, but waivers are available. The program takes one year to complete if done full-time. Admitted students, on average, have an undergraduate GPA of 3.43. Tuition for in-state students is about $15,000, while out-of-students pay about $18,000 for the program. One letter of recommendation is required to apply.

Tuition	$18,645
Acceptance rate	61%
Credits required to graduate	33

5. Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, IL

Northern Illinois University doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. Tuition for all students is $27,390. The two-year program requires applicants to submit two letters of recommendation when applying. Accepted students, on average, have an undergraduate GPA of 3.4. The school graduated a class of 17 students last year in its online master’s degree program.

Tuition	$27,390
Acceptance rate	100%
Credits required to graduate	33

6. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University requires prospective students to submit a GMAT or GRE score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program, but waivers are available. Students need to submit three letters of recommendation with an application to the one-year program. The program can also be completed in two years if done part-time. TOEFL scores are necessary from international students, but waivers are available. Admitted students have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.38.

Tuition	$43,906
Acceptance rate	79%
Credits required to graduate	30–31

7. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. The program can be completed in 12 to 15 months. International students must submit a TOEFL score of at least 100 to be considered for admission. Accepted students have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.25. Two recommendation letters are required when submitting an application.

Tuition	$54,060
Acceptance rate	88%
Credits required to graduate	30

8. Keiser University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Keiser University doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. The program can be completed in one or two years depending on full-time or part-time status. Prospective students must submit two letters of recommendation with an application, and tuition is $14,320 per semester. Last year, 14 students graduated from the program.

Tuition	DNP
Acceptance rate	DNP
Credits required to graduate	36

9. University of Scranton

Scranton, PA

The University of Scranton doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. The program takes 12 to 18 months to complete and has a total tuition cost of $26,850. International students must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 to be considered for admission. Three letters of recommendation are required to apply. Accepted students have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.26.

Tuition	$26,850
Acceptance rate	79%
Credits required to graduate	30

10. Ohio University

Athens County, OH

Ohio University doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying for its online master’s of accounting program. The program takes five semesters to complete, and the total cost of tuition is $28,620. Two letters of recommendation are required to apply. Accepted applicants have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.15. Last year, the school graduated 27 students in its online master’s degree program.

Tuition	$29,290
Acceptance rate	68%
Credits required to graduate	30

11. Colorado State University–Global Campus

Aurora, CO

Colorado State University–Global Campus doesn't require prospective students to submit a GMAT score when applying to its online master’s of accounting program. The program takes 20 months to complete, and the cost of tuition is $15,000. Accepted students have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.21. Last year, 142 students graduated from the program. Recommendation letters aren't required to apply.

Tuition	$15,000
Acceptance rate	97%
Credits required to graduate	30

Maryville University Master of Science in Accounting | Online

The future of business belongs to master's-prepared accountants. Earn yours online at Maryville Univeristy.

Earn your Master of Science in Accounting online from Maryville University in as few as 12 months. Prepare to take the CPA exam and advance into financial leadership roles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete an online master's in accounting?

How long it takes to complete an online master’s in accounting (MAcc) degree will depend on your flexibility and scheduling. Part-time programs will require more time for completion, whereas full-time options may allow students to finish the program in as little as a year. Purdue University’s online program can be completed in 1.5 years at full-time status and Auburn University’s program can be finished in as few as three semesters. Most MAcc programs require at least 30 credit hours to fulfill the required 150 hours needed to sit for the CPA exam, which can take between 12 to 24 months to complete.

How much does an online master's in accounting cost?

Online master’s in accounting programs can vary in cost depending on the school, the total number of required credit hours, and a student’s residency status as in-state or out-of-state. For example, the MAcc program at Ohio University is $973 per credit, with a total estimated tuition cost of $29,190. Meanwhile, SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s cost per credit is $565. Among the schools on Fortune's ranking, tuitions range from as low as $15,000 to as high as nearly $70,000.

What are the highest-paying jobs for someone with a master's in accounting?

The average annual salary for accountants and auditors is $77,250, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A MAcc degree, often utilized to help obtain a CPA licensure, can expand job prospects and increase potential salaries. Those people who hold a MAcc degree are more likely to be promoted to senior manager and partner positions. People who hold a CPA, and who may have completed a master's degree in accounting, are often able to enter C-suite roles, where salaries are well into the six figures.

Is a master’s degree in accounting worth it?

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a master's degree in accounting is worthwhile. Completing a MAcc degree can open to the door to more job opportunities at higher salaries, especially when coupled with a CPA licensure. Some individuals choose to pursue a master's degree in accounting in order to complete the necessary CPA exam hour requirements, while others are looking to build out their skillset in both accounting and other business related capacities.

Which is better, a CPA or a master’s in accounting?

The certified public accountant (CPA) licensure and a master’s degree in accounting are different—though often closely related. Master’s in accounting programs are often a means for graduates to obtain the necessary hours required to sit for the CPA exam. CPA hours can still be obtained without a degree program, and it is possible to obtain a CPA license without a master’s degree in accounting, though many individuals with a CPA also have a MAcc. However, MAcc programs can provide helpful insight, skills, and knowledge that may benefit a CPA test taker, and programs often have much higher CPA exam pass rates. Individuals with a CPA or MAcc (or both) are more likely to obtain higher paying jobs an advanced to senior management or partner positions than those without either qualification. One is not necessarily “better” than the other, as they both can boost salaries and opportunities, and they are closely tied.