40 Best Master’s in Accounting Online Programs in 2025

So, you want to get your master’s in accounting online? Well, it makes sense. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of accounting jobs is growing at a rate of about 6% in our current decade (2023–2033). And the median pay for an accountant is nearly $80,000 annually. Securing an accounting master’s is one way to up your earning potential and snag one of those coveted jobs in this growing field.  In this article, we cover the 40 best master’s in accounting online programs. Let’s get started!

What Can I Do with an Online Master’s in Accounting?

One of the most popular career paths after earning an online master’s in accounting is to become a CPA (Certified Professional Accountant), which can open you up to a whole host of possibilities. If you become a CPA, you can not only practice in the public sector but also become a corporate CPA, work in the nonprofit sector, teach accounting to others, work in government, work as a private consultant, or even open your own accounting firm. 

Earning your master’s in accounting online and your CPA will also open you up to specializations that can enhance your career. Some of the most popular specializations, according to the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, include: 

• Audit
• Financial Forensics 
• Information Technology 
• Business Valuation 
• Personal Financial Planning 
• Tax 
• Managerial 
• ESG & Sustainability 
• Entrepreneurship 
• Crypto 

Does Getting an Online Master’s in Accounting Mean That I’m a CPA?

While earning your master’s in accounting online won’t automatically make you a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), it will get you one step closer to earning that professional status. 

How? We’ll explain. 

CPA standards are determined on a state-by-state basis. (Tip: Google “CPA requirements + your state” and scroll until you find the official .gov state site containing those standards.) However, one of the most common standards across states is that aspiring CPAs must complete a bachelor’s degree and 150 credit hours of study before sitting for their licensure exam. Many bachelor’s degrees require a standard 120 credit hours for graduation. Acquiring your accounting master’s online can be one easy way to bridge the gap between your undergraduate degree and the 150 credit hours required to become a CPA. 

Should I Get an MBA or a Master’s in Accounting?

It’s a normal question and a very common concern. If you’re torn between applying to MBA programs or master’s in accounting programs, consider the following: 

• While an MBA will likely include some accounting as a part of the curriculum, its focus is on turning you into a business professional. 
• If you know you want to pursue a career in accounting, a master’s in accounting will be the best way to develop the specific skillset needed to become a CPA. 
• If you’re fresh out of undergrad and considering different careers in business and accounting, pursuing a master’s in accounting can be an excellent stepping stone. Don’t worry—down the line, holding a master’s degree in accounting will still qualify you for C-suite positions, as your eligibility for those will ultimately depend on your experience.
• Are you later in your career, or don’t necessarily want/need to specialize in accounting? An MBA will likely be the best choice for developing a wider range of skill sets, changing careers, or stepping into a different role or a C-suite position. 

How to Choose the Best Online Master’s in Accounting Program

You might be sold on the idea of getting your master’s in accounting online. You know you want and need flexibility to make your degree plan work. But how do you know which master’s in accounting online program is the best one for you? 

To that end, we’ve organized the 40 best online master’s in accounting programs. We know that every person has different needs and that the best program for you might not be the best program for someone else. So, we’ve organized our list into categories: 

• Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Busy Schedules: 

  • These programs have a 100% online, asynchronous format, which means you won’t be required to go to face-to-face classes at a set time. You make your own schedule and get done with your studies as fast as you want to. 

• Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Networking with Your Cohort: 

  • These programs have some element of required, synchronous classes and/or hybrid, face-to-face elements. These programs will have you networking with your cohort and professors at set days and times—some programs even include optional residency visits for in-person collaboration. 

• Top Online Master’s in Accounting for Affordable Tuition:

  • Whether you’re saving money as an in-state student or with a low cost-per-credit, these schools will help you cut costs as you get a high-caliber education.    

• Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Academic Rigor:

  • All of the programs on our list are academically rigorous, but these selections stand out as emphasizing the competitive academic nature of the environment you’ll enter. 

• Best Online Master’s in Accounting for High Flexibility: 

  • These programs are going to meet your needs by giving you multiple start times, multiple tracks, pre-requisite courses for students without a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and much more. 

Finally, you’ll only want to attend programs that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This prestigious accreditation means you can rest easy knowing that your online accounting degree is meeting the same standards of programs of the same caliber that meet in person. All of the schools on our list are AACSB accredited. 

Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Busy Schedules:

1) University of Scranton

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Classes are capped at 20 students, giving you access to faculty and mentorship and the ability to build networks with your classmates.
• This asynchronous, 100% online program allows you to study on your own schedule and is “designed specifically for busy professionals.”
• Finish in 8–30 months, depending on your schedule. No GMAT/GRE required.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit: $895.
• Total base tuition: $26,850.

2) University of Michigan–Flint 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• This 100% online, asynchronous program means that you won’t have to show up to classes at a designated time and that you’ll be able to work while you study on your own time.
• Students with an accounting background can waive two MSA foundation courses and complete their degree in as few as 10 months.
• Earn your dual MBA/MSA by double counting up to 15 credits, saving time and money.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30–36, depending on your undergraduate degree.
• Cost per credit depends on state residency:
  • In-State: $875.25.
  • Out-of-state: $1,091.50.
• Total base tuition: $26,250–$39,294, depending on credits and residency.

3) Brooklyn College

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• This program is specifically designed for students with an accounting undergraduate degree.
• It is entirely asynchronous and online, with no face-to-face components, meaning that students are expected to study entirely on their own time.
• Because of the accelerated nature of this program, it can be finished in just one year.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit:
  • New York State residents, 12+ credits: $462.
  • New York State residents, fewer than 12 credits: $470.
  • Out-of-state residents: $855.
• Total base tuition:
  • New York State residents: $13,860–$14,100.
  • Out-of-state residents: $25,650.

Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Networking with Your Cohort:

4) William & Mary Raymond A. Mason School of Business 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Finish your degree in as few as 16 months.
• Study with highly-ranked faculty who held leadership roles in audit and tax functions at Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC.
• The William & Mary program includes optional Residency Weekends with opportunities to benign building a shared experience with your cohort, developing your network, your skillset, and your prospects for collaboration.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 32.
• Cost per credit: $1,125 ($800 for prerequisite classes).
• Total base tuition: $36,000.

5) Arizona State University

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics is 100% online and is heavily synchronous: courses consist of live, virtual participation at least 50% of the time.
• Choose a one-year or two-year timeline:
  • One-year timeline will require you to meet for two live classes per week.
  • Two-year timeline will require you to meet for one live class per week.
• Expand your network with award-winning faculty from six continents and student colleagues from more than 100 countries.

Tuition:

• Tuition and fees shift based on resident and full or part-time status, but the differences only show up after you take more than 9 credits.
• Examples:
  • Full-time (9 credits) tuition estimate for both AZ residents and non-residents, 2024–25: $21,049.
  • Part-time (6 credits) tuition estimate for both AZ residents and non-residents, 2024–25: $14,044.

6) Bentley University

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• All in-person courses are structured as hybrid courses and can be taken remotely, making this a great option for someone who might want an in-person and online hybrid.
• Bentley’s curriculum is “STEM designated,” meaning that it has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a program beneficial to science, math, technology, or engineering development.
• Bentley collaborates with KPMG’s Data and Analytics Program, which means you’ll have an edge on the competition when it comes to learning skills directly applicable to the industry.

Tuition: 

• Bentley Master’s in Accounting Fellowship provides 100% tuition remission for selected fellows who come from communities underrepresented in the field.
• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit: $6,095.
• Total base tuition cost: $182,850.

7) Florida International University 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• “Cohort-based, lock-step program” will have you moving through the paces with your colleagues, building strong relationships, and staying on track the whole time.
• The program is available as a fully online program or as a hybrid program, perfect for those who want to blend flexibility and in-person learning.
• Choose from one of two specializations:
  • Taxation
  • Assurance

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Estimated tuition: $29,400.

8) University of Oklahoma Price College of Business

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Choose from an advanced option for students with an accounting background and a standard option for students seeking a career change.
• The program can be completed in 21 months.
• The synchronous program includes live lectures that emphasize hands-on learning.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 33, advanced option. 51 credits, standard option.
• Cost per credit: $985.
• Total base tuition:
  • Advanced: $32,505.
  • Standard: $50,235.

Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Affordable Tuition:

9) North Carolina State University Poole College of Management

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• This program is designed for early and mid-career professionals with backgrounds in accounting or any discipline.
• Start in either the Spring or Fall semester.
• This 100% online program has no in-person requirements; you can study from anywhere in the world.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Tuition is highly variable and based on residency and the number of credits taken.
  • Full-time tuition (9 credits) ranges from $12,484–$22,781, depending on residency.
  • To estimate your tuition, see the Graduate – Master of Accounting category here.

10) SUNY Brockport

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Qualified grads can earn their New York CPA or pursue certificates to become a Certified Management Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, or Certified Internal Auditor.
• Finish this program in one full calendar year as a full-time student.
• Students with an accounting bachelor’s degree can tailor the Master of Science in Accounting to their background.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit:
  • $471 for New York State residents.
  • $1,130 for out-of-state residents.
• Total base tuition:
  • $14,130 for New York State residents.
  • $33,900 for out-of-state residents.

11) University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• No additional fees on top of tuition makes this Master of Accountancy Accelerated Online program a fantastic value.
• Finish the program in just 12 months and have the necessary 150 credits to sit for your CPA exam.
• The nature of this accelerated program assumes that students have the necessary accounting background to pursue this higher level of study.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit: $472.22.
• Estimated total tuition: $14,170.

12) Ohio University

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• A new $10,000 MAcc scholarship and a 75% lower tuition rate for accounting bridge courses makes this program potentially affordable.
• Data analytics is women throughout Ohio’s MAcc, which is a skill in high demand.
• The program features efficient “bridge pathways” for students who have their bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit:
  • $954, Ohio residents.
  • $973, out-of-state residents.
• Total base tuition:
  • $28,620, Ohio residents.
  • $29,190, out-of-state residents.

Best Online Master’s in Accounting for Academic Rigor:

13) University of Massachusetts Amherst

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Two tracks designed to help you reach your goals:
  • Professional Track: designed for students who already have an undergrad degree in accounting.
  • Transitions Track: designed for folks who have non-accounting backgrounds and who want to jump into the business.
• Boasts a 98% career placement for graduates.
• While there are no fellowships available, veterans may use military benefits to pay for their tuition, employed students can pay with employer assistance, and all students can enroll in a flexible payment plan.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit: $850.
• Total base tuition cost: $25,500.

14) University of West Florida

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• UWF’s Master of Accountancy students have earned the highest CPA first-time pass rate of all public universities in Florida and the third highest in the nation, meaning you’ll be statistically setting yourself up for success.
• The program offers four specialization tracks:
  • Analytics
  • Analysis and Reporting
  • Information Systems and Controls
  • Taxation
• The MyUWF app and eLearning infrastructure offer a wealth of resources to students in this 100% online program.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit:
  • Florida In-State: $384.60
  • Alabama: $489.60
  • Full out-of-state: $1,044.24
  • Out-of-state tuition waiver: $478.83
• Total estimated tuition: $14,670–$31,320, depending on residency status.

15) California State University San Bernardino 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• This competitive and rigorous program is designed to prepare students to successfully pursue the CPA, CMA, or CIA and who are “capable of becoming leaders who exhibit high standards of professional ethical conduct.”
• GMAT (minimum 470)  or GRE scores (minimum 298) are required.
• Students must earn credit for a CPA prep and practice course, including mock questions, at least twice in order to qualify for graduation.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit:
  • 0-6 credits: $2,082.
  • 6.1 or more credits: $3,588.
• Total base tuition: Depends on the rate at which you take classes, but assuming a 6+ credit-per-semester-load, $107,640.

Best Online Master’s in Accounting for High Flexibility:

16) Texas A&M University Mays Business School

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Pursue one of two tracks:
  • Assurance Services/Information Management
  • Tax Consulting/Financial Planning
• Online MS Accounting students have access to the Becker CPA Review Course questions in order to prepare for the exam, and many students begin sitting for CPA licensure while they are completing their coursework.
• Join an alumni network with world-class career management services and a proven track record of helping MS students to find a job immediately after graduation.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 36.
• Cost per credit: $1,250.
• Total base tuition: $45,000.

17) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Online MSA (iMSA) can be completed in 18–60 months. Students set the pace.
• “Stackability” means you can take one course, “stack” it into a certificate, and then “stack” even more courses into a degree. The flexibility means you can investigate the program and your intentions one course at a time.
• Fully online—no on-campus requirements.

Tuition: 

• Illinois estimates the iMSA tuition from $21,916–$28,096.
• Core courses and electives have different costs per credit hour.
• Illinois lists the average tuition and fee cost at $25,000.

18) University of North Carolina Kenan–Flagler

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Choose from one of two pathways in this prestigious program that uses the same faculty and high-caliber curriculum as its face-to-face program:
  • Traditional
  • Advanced Standing
• Choose from one of four start times:
  • Early-January
  • Late-March
  • Late-June
  • Late-September
• All students from all educational and professional backgrounds are welcome to apply; no test scores required.

Tuition: 

• Required total credits range from 30–48 credits, depending on your prior coursework.
• Cost per credit: $1446.36.
• Estimated total tuition range: $43,390–$66,532.
• Students need to account for travel expenses to the required Leadership Immersion held in Chapel Hill.

19) University of Texas at Dallas

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• This STEM-designated Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics allows you to pursue your degree in an entirely online or hybrid format to meet your needs.
• The program emphasizes technology, data, and analytics to prepare students to meet the changing dynamics of the profession.
• Choose from more than 30 accounting electives.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 36.
• Cost per credit: $1,000.
• Total base tuition: $36,000.

20) North Illinois University

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Study part-time and work at your own pace in this 100% online program.
• This program accepts students from any undergraduate degree field.
• NIU prepares students to take the CPA exam in Illinois.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 33.
• Cost per credit: $858.32.
• Total base tuition: $28,325.

21) Auburn University

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Choose from two pathways:
  • Traditional MAcc, which offers a 30-credit program for those who have already studied accounting or a similar field.
  • Expanded MAcc, which offers up to 42 semester hours for students who didn’t study accounting in undergrad and who need the eight foundational business core classes to prepare them for the MAcc.
• This online MAcc offers the same instruction, faculty, assignments, and exams as the on-campus program.
• Complete the degree in as few as two years.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30–42.
• Cost per credit: $950.
• Total base tuition: $28,500–$39,900.

22) Rutgers–Camden School of Business

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Choose from two tracks:
  • Accountant Track, for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
  • Transition Track, for students switching into a career in accounting without a substantial background in the field.
• Personalize your degree with up to half of your credits in free electives, specializing in: Data Analytics, Auditing, Accounting Analytics, Forensic Accounting, and Accounting Information Systems.
• To support your CPA exam prep, RCSB offers a free CPA Review Program for each of the four modules.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit: $1,015.
• Total base tuition: $30,450.

23) University of Connecticut 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• The UConn online accounting master’s has been recognized by the United States Distance Learning Association for best practices in online learning.
• Instead of following a pre-determined track, students choose from a wide range of electives in order to design a program that reflects their specific interests.
• Start in Spring, Fall, or Summer semesters for maximum flexibility.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit: $1,125, Fall 2025, Summer 2026 (tuition changes per semester).
• Total base tuition: $33,750.

24) University of Colorado Denver 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• The only fully online, AACSB-accredited accounting program in Colorado, which is great for Colorado residents who want a high-caliber degree at an in-state price.
• Pre-requisite courses available for students without an undergraduate degree in accounting.
• Study auditing theory, advanced financial information, accounting information systems, taxation of business entities, managerial accounting, and more.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30.
• Cost per credit:
  • Colorado residents: $750.
  • Out-of-state residents: $875, though this may depend on your ability to qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program.
• Total base tuition:
  • Colorado residents: $22,500.
  • Out-of-state residents: $26,250.

25) Syracuse University Whitman School of Management 

Accreditation: AACSB

Highlights: 

• Pursue one of two tracks:
  • Accelerated or Professional Schedule: 30-credit program for those with a bachelor’s in accounting
  • Foundational Accounting Schedule: 33–to–48-credit program for those without a bachelor’s in accounting.
• Finish the Accelerated Schedule in 12 months, the Professional Schedule in 15 months, and the Foundational Schedule in 24 months.
• The STEM-Designated program prepares students to work at the cutting edge of the field.

Tuition: 

• Total required credits: 30–48.
• Cost per credit: $1,945.
• Total base tuition: $58,350–$93,360.

More of the Best Master’s in Accounting Online Programs

While they didn’t make our Top 25, you can continue to broaden your research by checking out these other top Online Master’s in Accounting programs:

26. University of Massachusetts Lowell
27. DePaul University 
28. Penn State World Campus
29. Boise State University 
30. University of San Francisco
31. Kent State University
32. Seton Hall University
33. University of Alabama at Birmingham
34. Missouri State University 
35. Montclair State University
36. SUNY Old Westbury
37. University of Miami 
38. Kansas State University 
39. Northeastern University 
40. Western Governors University

Additional Resources

Considering your options? Check out our other helpful, evidence-based articles on finance, accounting, and business:  

• 2025 Best Colleges for Accounting 
• Median Starting Salaries (by Institution): Accounting 
• MBA Acceptance Rates – 2025 
• 12 Most Affordable Online Colleges – Cheap Options in 2025 
• 2025 Best Colleges for Finance 
• 2025 Best Colleges for Business 
• Top Colleges for Investment Banking Careers: Analysis of Wall Street Placement Rates