### SUMMARY

 A degree in Accounting and Finance is a valuable choice and usually a requisite first step for students wanting to pursue a career as a public accountant, an auditor, or a managerial accountant. Interestingly, accounting and finance is a ​unique degree being the 219th most popular area of study. Last year alone, there were 933 accounting and finance diplomas received. In-state tuition for accounting and finance at private colleges is, on average, 3.8 times more pricey than their public equivalents.

 With just 43 colleges having programs for this degree you may have a smaller selection of institutions that will have an option for you. If you are hoping to immerse yourself with other accounting and finance majors, consider universities in Pennsylvania which have more undergrads admitted to accounting and finance than any other state. More generally, the best region to get a degree in accounting and finance is in the New England region with [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university), [Bridgewater State University](/colleges/bridgewater-state-university), and [Southern New Hampshire University](/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick for the top conference to major in accounting and finance is the Northeast 10 Conference with [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university), [Franklin Pierce University](/colleges/franklin-pierce-university), and [Southern New Hampshire University](/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) representing the conference. That being said, our selection for the best school for accounting and finance is [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university). You might also want to check out our list of [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges).

 The objectively 'best' school might not actually be the 'best' school for you. There can be a bunch of factors to think about when deciding on school. Things such as campus amenities, transportation services, and food might change your thoughts of where to go to university. Here at authority.org, we examined the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you want to know which accounting and finance school is home to the best college campus, the answer is [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university). If you are very interested in which college boasts the top campus, we have an entire list [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through professor reviews, student reviews, government databases, and more in order to evaluate every major in the United States in an unbiased and informative way. You can find our well researched list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and from that list, our selection for the college with the best student life for accounting and finance is [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university). Curious why? Keep reading to find out more about Authority's top choices. Some of our decisions will probably surprise you.

 If price is a primary deciding factor in your decision on where to go to university, you might be cautious about [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university). [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university)&nbspis the most expensive college for accounting and finance, at least for out of state enrollment. We do have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that might put the expense of [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university)&nbspinto perspective. Additionally, you may care to know that accounting and finance is the 153rd most expensive program in America, with an average expense of $33,300. On a broader scale, the most expensive state for accounting and finance in the country is New York at Clarkson University and Fordham University, the primary universities in the state, of $49,858 and $52,980. Even more broadly, the most costly region of the U.S. for accounting and finance is the Mid East region which is best demonstrated with [Fordham University](/colleges/fordham-university) with a cost of $52,980, [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university) with a cost of $57,882, and [Drexel University](/colleges/drexel-university) with a cost of $52,146.

 Our cheapest region for accounting and finance is the New England region which is represented by [Bridgewater State University](/colleges/bridgewater-state-university) with a cost of $7,050, [Salem State University](/colleges/salem-state-university) with a cost of $7,050, and [Granite State College](/colleges/granite-state-college) with a cost of $8,760. More optimistically, the most affordable university for accounting and finance is [Bridgewater State University](/colleges/bridgewater-state-university). Our comprehensive list of the most affordable colleges can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state students can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $10,300 for a degree in accounting and finance. The cost increases dramatically to an average of $14,400 for an out-of-state public-school undergrad. On that note, our choice for the university representing the best value for accounting and finance: [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university). Here you can see our comprehensive list of the colleges we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspoverall. That being said, this list is based on being an out-of-state student. The value proposition changes when it comes to in-state tuition, but we do not know in which states any one student has residency.

 Earnings for accounting and finance majors range widely, but two years after leaving college students will often make in the neighborhood of $64,000. There is a lot of variation in earnings potential; highest paid earners can enjoy pay up to $134,000. Even straight out of university, the lowest earning positions within the accounting and finance space earn $29,900, which is an alright wage. The top earning grads for accounting and finance graduated from [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university)&nbspand if you want to find the schools with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The prevailing diversity of accounting and finance ranks on the higher end, being in the 63rd percentile of all programs. The school with the most composite diversity for accounting and finance is [Southern New Hampshire University](/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university)&nbspand here you can find our general list for the colleges with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The overall financial diversity of Accounting and Finance only sits within the 12th percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is greater than financial diversity, ranking in the 54th percentile. White students make up the largest proportion, 60%, of scholars studying accounting and finance. Additionally, 58% of undergraduates pursuing an accounting and finance major are men.

 The median rating of accounting and finance professors is 3.6 stars, a ranking that is 10% lower than the median score for all majors; this is a subpar ranking. If you are curious about the most popular accounting and finance instructor nationally, consider looking up Jim Brau from [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo). This may be shocking, but the best rated accounting and finance professors from student rankings come from [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo). If we consider data beyond just rankings it becomes clear that the school possessing the overall best professors for accounting and finance is [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university). One can find an explanation of our ever evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), as well as some of the top professors in the U.S.

 Finally, the most difficult university to get into for accounting and finance is [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university). While we do not necessarily see the value in it, we have an extensive page of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, here at Authority we hope you understand that considering college with context primarily built on superlatives can create problems. We encourage you to explore our other pages on individual universities and read a few of Authority's informative background pages on essential details to think about as your university search continues.



 ### POPULARITY

 Accounting and finance is the 219th most popular degree in America, with 933 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #220 [Mathematics and Computer Science](/rankings/best-colleges-for-mathematics-and-computer-science), and narrowly lost to #218 [Applied Psychology](/rankings/best-colleges-for-applied-psychology).

 The degree is offered at a total of 43 colleges across the nation, and is the 295th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 2% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that 38% of colleges offering accounting and finance are public making it a relatively inaccessible field.

 The new england produces the most accounting and finance graduates, largely led by [Bentley University](/colleges/bentley-university), while it’s the Northeast 10 Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Pennsylvania ranks highest, with particular help from [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university) and [Drexel University](/colleges/drexel-university).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more accounting and finance graduates than [Strayer University-District of Columbia](/colleges/strayer-university-district-of-columbia), which graduated 181 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study accounting and finance). More students studied accounting and finance as a percentage of total students at [Hiram College](/colleges/hiram-college) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Accounting and finance is the 153rd most expensive degree in the United States, with a median cost of $33,280 among the top 50 programs (just ahead of #154, [Materials Engineering](rankings/best-colleges-for-materials-engineering), with a median cost of $33,208).

 The Mid East has the most expensive colleges with top 50 accounting and finance programs predominantly led by [Fordham University](/colleges/fordham-university) with an annual cost of $52,980. The most expensive state for accounting and finance is New York led by [Clarkson University](/colleges/clarkson-university) and [Fordham University](/colleges/fordham-university).

 Public schools with good programs typically charge 73.95% less than private schools for in-state students. When looking at out-of-state tuition however, the median top 50 Public school charges 63.63% less than your average private school. So, if you're applying to a state school, make sure you're eligible for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for accounting and finance is [Bucknell University](/colleges/bucknell-university), which is the 8th most expensive college in America. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Bridgewater State University](/colleges/bridgewater-state-university). It costs just $7,050 per year, and it's ranked 14th for its accounting and finance program. Another more affordable choice would be #21, [Salem State University](/colleges/salem-state-university) in Essex County, MA with a cost of $910 for in-state students and $7,050 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Starting college is a huge investment for most undergraduates. It's critical to ensure you are able to make back that investment. It is our goal that the following career and earnings info help you in deciding your major at college.

 The average Accounting and Finance student takes home a starting income of $47,050 per annum (top 27%). Later on in their professional lives, they commonly draw something between $29,881 and $134,032, but average about $64,010. To put it in context, that is 66% over the nation wide average.

 The most common work position for an Accounting and Finance graduate is Analyst, which predominantly earn close to $54,000; next are Account Executive and Consultant, which predominantly earn roughly $36,000 and $56,000 respectively.

 The most well paid region for Accounting and Finance graduates is New England. The highest grossing state for Accounting and Finance graduates is CT. West Coast Conference has the highest earning Accounting and Finance graduates of any conference..



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Accounting and Finance: Median Professor Rating: 3.6 / 5, which is below average.

 Professors repeatedly play an enormous role in your college experience, regardless of your major. A good instructor could help a student find their passion and even make a difficult subject seem easy. Contrarily, a poor professor can derail your schooling or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of Accounting and Finance, concerningly, only have a median student rating of 3.6 out of 5, putting these professors in the lower 9% in America grounded in overall professor effectivness. For context a 3.6 rating is 10% south of the national median professor rating for all subjects. Accounting and Finance professors barely surpassed those from ["Managerial Economics"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-managerial-economics), whereas ["Fitness Administration"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-fitness-administration)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Accounting and Finance.

 Now for some statistics about Accounting and Finance professors. Colleges located in remote rural areas tend to have the best Accounting and Finance professors. The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference has the highest rated Accounting and Finance professors. The Southeast region has the highest rated Accounting and Finance professors. Private colleges tend to have higher rated Accounting and Finance professors than public colleges. Finally, Wyoming has the highest rated Accounting and Finance professors in the United States.

 Jim Brau, instructor at [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo)&nbspin Provo, UT is the most popular Accounting and Finance professor in the nation. Larry Ambriz, instructor at [Cerritos College](/colleges/cerritos-college)&nbspin Norwalk, CA is the highest rated Accounting and Finance professor in the United States, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Take a look at which institutions have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often is a very poignant period of one's life; it's a time for individual growth and maturation. Undergraduates start to find out their values and learn many of the essential skills to be a flourishing adult. But learning goes far beyond the classroom - the discussions one has with his schoolmates, the personal lesson gained from a tenured professor, the exposure to a different viewpoint. Therefore, finding a diverse college vastly enriches what one gains from the time spent at university.

 Accounting and Finance is a slightly more racially diverse major than average\*. 60% of the United States' Accounting and Finance majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(20%), asian students (9%), and black students (6%). The most racially diverse college\* in the top 100 is [Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte](/colleges/johnson-wales-university-charlotte) located in Charlotte, NC.

 Secondly, Accounting and Finance slightly skews male, with 42% of majors identifying as men. [Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte](/colleges/johnson-wales-university-charlotte) in Charlotte, NC has the most gender balanced student body in the top 100.

 Another substantial type of diversity is financial diversity. Sadly, Accounting and Finance is less socioeconomically diverse than 88% of focuses in the United States. 33% of its students come from very high income households, 15% are from families with $75,000 to $110,000 annual incomes, and 25% grew up in homes who take home less than $30,000 a year. [Maryville College](/colleges/maryville-college) is the most fiscally diverse school in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall NC is the most diverse state for Accounting and Finance. The Mid East is the most diverse region, and the Colonial Athletic Association is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 9%
* Black: 6%
* Latino: 6%
* White: 60%
* Other: 20%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 58%
* Female: 42%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 25%
* 30k - 48k: 12%
* 48k - 75k: 14%
* 75k - 110k: 15%
* Over 110k: 33%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 38%
* Out of State: 59%
* International: 3%


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2023 Accounting and Finance Salary

There are about 12,882 students enrolled in Accounting and Finance in the USA.

SALARY