10 Best Online Bachelors Degrees in Accounting

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Top 10 Online Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting

Online bachelors degrees in accounting, particularly those that prepare students for the ever important CPA exam (or other related certifications) are one of the best degrees you can get in terms of a job ready skillset that’s almost always in demand. In general, duties of an accountant include the examination of financial records of individuals and organizations, calculation of taxes, and recommending ways to decrease costs and increase profits. Accountants regularly prepare recommendations and reports on financial choices for clients, and often take leadership roles in organizations.

Career Outlook:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting and auditing jobs are expected to grow at a 6% rate through 2031, or about on par with the average expansion of all industries. In general, accountants fall into three categories: public accounting, government accounting, and management accounting.The average salary for an accountant is $77,250 per year. However, this varies widely depending on which sector you are employed in.


Methodology:

  • Academic Reputation (1/3): the relative ranking of the online bachelors degrees in accounting program’s parent institution according to other high profile rankings such as US News.
  • Affordability (1/3): the estimated average out-of-state per credit hour tuition for the program.
  • Student Satisfaction (1/3):average student satisfaction and review scores adjusted for number of reviews.

10 Best Online Bachelors Degrees in Accounting

1. Colorado State University

Colorado State University’s global campus offers a fully online bachelors degree in accounting with highly flexible 8-week courses as well as a large number of specializations to choose from. The program is centered on covering accounting fundamentals as well as general organizational management issues including legal compliance, ethics, finance, marketing, leadership, quantitative decision making, and economics. Colorado State University is currently a nationally ranked university according to US News. Colorado State University ranked 18th and 10th of programs surveyed in student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $350
  • Homepage

2. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University(source)

Colorado Technical University offers a fully online bachelor of science in accounting degree. The program offers multiple start dates yearly, and requires 143 credit hours to complete. Online offerings at Colorado Technical University utilize intellipath to offer customized learning experiences for all online students. Intellipath allows for students to choose learning formats that best suit them, and allows students to proceed through portions of courses they already know at a faster pace. Colorado Technical University is classified as a national university according to US News.Colorado Technical University was ranked 4th and 20th of programs surveyed for student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $325
  • Homepage

3. Purdue University Global

Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Purdue University Global offers an online bachelor of science degree in accounting which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The program offers specialization options which include Auditing-Forensic Accountancy, Managerial Accountancy, Public Accountancy, and Tax Accountancy.  The program is a total of 180 credits and features multiple start dates, so it’s easy for students to get started earning their degree. Purdue University Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Both Purdue Global and its parent institution have received numerous accolades making it one of the top schools to attend either on campus or online.

  • Estimated average cost per credit hour: $371
  • Homepage

4.Capella University

Capella University offers a bachelors of science in business with a specialization in accounting. Courses may be taken in accelerated 5 or 10 week increments, lending students the ability to mold their studies around their busy lives. Students can also utilize FlexPath offerings, or the ability to take self-paced courses in topics they’re comfortable with whenever they would like. Capella University is classified as a national university according to US News. Capella University is ranked 2nd and 26th of programs surveyed for student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $355
  • Homepage

5. Western Governors University

Western Governors University offers a fully online bachelor of science in accounting degree rooted in competency-based education that allows students to rapidly accelerate their learning. Courses are offered as competency units so students aren’t constrained by a traditional semester-long course structure. Show that you’re competent in a given topic and proceed to the next. Western Governors University is currently classified as a regional university by US News. Compared to other programs surveyed, Western Governors University ranked 1st and 12th in student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $240
  • Homepage

6. Linfield College

Linfield College(source)

Linfield College offers both online bachelors of arts and science degrees in accounting. The BA program offering requires students to obtain two semesters or a foreign language, with students whose native language is not English exempt from the requirement. Students can also complete CPA requirements online. Linfield College is currently a nationally ranked university according to US News. Compared to other schools surveyed, Linfield College is ranked 24th and 1st for student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $450
  • Homepage

7. Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale(source)

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale offers a degree completion program in accounting that is comprised of 20 courses (around 60 credit hours). The program typically takes six semesters over a two year period to complete, though can be completed in as little as 18 months. CPA preparation coursework is also available. Currently Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is a nationally ranked university according to US News. Compared to other schools surveyed, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is ranked 31st and 14th in student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $370
  • Homepage

8. Liberty University Online

Liberty University(source)

Liberty University Online offers a fully online bachelors of science degree in accounting as well as a degree completion program in accounting. The full degree program requires 120 credit hours, 30 hours of which must be taken through Liberty University for graduation. Students can accelerate degrees through utilizing prior learning and life experience credits, as well as intensives, in which students show up for brief in-person classes for condensed learning experiences. Liberty University is a regionally ranked university according to US News. Compared to other schools surveyed, Liberty University Online is ranked 31st and 14th in student happiness and student reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $375
  • Homepage

9. Auburn University

Auburn University(source)

Auburn University offers a fully online bachelor of science in accounting degree meant for second degree seekers. In particular the degree is geared towards students who already have business degrees and would like to re-tool for accounting. 30 credit hours taken over 5 semesters may be completed while working full time. Lectures may be watched live or in a recorded format at a time convenient for students. Currently Auburn University is a nationally ranked university according to US News. Compared to other schools surveyed, Auburn University is ranked 11th and 5th for student happiness and student reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $775
  • Homepage

10. Pennsylvania State University World Campus


School Profile

Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus offers a fully online bachelors of science in accounting. The program requires 120 credit hours and is meant to prepare students for common accounting exams such as CPA, CMA, CIA, CFE, or CGMA. Penn State’s business department is currently one of only a few only programs accredited by the AACSB, meaning the program is of the top 5% of business programs worldwide. Penn State University is a nationally ranked university according to US News. Compared to other schools surveyed, Penn State is ranked 18th and 4th for student happiness and reviews, respectively.

  • Estimated cost per credit hour: $579

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