Top 50 Online MBA Programs in Accounting 2017

Our ranking of the top online MBA programs in Accounting can help you find the right Accounting MBA for you. While the foundational and core courses for many of these high-quality programs offer all MBA students the same general training for leadership in business, it is the accounting-specific coursework that really makes the difference as students acquire knowledge and tools to competently navigate within the areas of financial reporting, understanding taxes, and auditing. Many of these business schools also prepare students for the necessary exams leading up to certifications they will need to pursue careers as successful Certified Public Accountants, Certified Management Accountants, Certified Internal Auditors, and Certified Information Systems Auditors to name a few.

Note: A detailed explanation of the methodology we used to determine the best online MBA in Accounting programs can be found at the end of the ranking.

#50 Oklahoma Christian University Graduate School of Business – Edmond, Oklahoma

Photo creditOklahoma Christian University's Graduate School of Business features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. This 36-credit hour program with an emphasis in Accounting is priced at $540 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition an accessible $19,440. Receiving its business accreditation through the ACBSP, the Graduate School of Business has designed this program to be completed in as few as 12 months and allows students the flexibility to take classes on-campus, online, or both as a hybrid experience. The Graduate School of Business considers a complete application to include a filled out online application with fee, an undergraduate degree and official transcripts showing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, three academic and/or professional recommendations, a GMAT or GRE score of 450 or 285 respectively, and a current resume.

Recognized recently by the Princeton Review as one of the "Best Western Colleges," Oklahoma Christian University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit, Christian liberal arts school featuring a main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma. Receiving its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, OC was established in 1950 by the members of the Churches of Christ as two-year, Central Christian College. Nine years later the school was renamed Oklahoma Christian College and began to offer four-year degrees. Today, Oklahoma Christian University oversees a smaller student body of 2,570 and offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2012, the athletic department at OC became a member of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference and currently supports a total of 12 men's and women's varsity teams.

Estimated Program Tuition: $19,440

#49 American InterContinental University Virtual Campus – Schaumburg, Illinois

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting is offered at American InterContinental University's Virtual Campus. Recently recognized as having some of the Best Online Programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Virtual Campus has designed this 100% online MBA with an Accounting specialization to be completed in as few as 11 months. This program is divided between the four Business Core courses of Global Financial Management, Business Research for Decision Making, A Managerial Approach to Marketing, and Strategic Management, and the four Accounting-intensive courses of Accounting for Managers, Accounting Information Systems, Public and Not-for-Profit Accounting, and Leadership and Ethics for managers. All courses for this degree are worth six total credits each. Priced at $582 per credit, this 48-credit program features a competitive total tuition cost of $27,936. The Virtual Campus of American InterContinental University receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP.

Originally named the American Fashion College of Switzerland and established in 1970, American InterContinental University was conceived by Americans Jack and Helen Barnette while living in Lucerne, Switzerland. Through the years the school changed hands, and names, and today is maintained by Career Education Corporation as a four-year, private, for-profit university based out of Schaumburg, Illinois. Widely known as a government-funded institution of higher learning, over 95% of the school's funding comes from the U.S. government – including $29 million from GI Bill funds. The student body of AIU is currently 11,560 strong and the school offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Receiving its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, the school reports a graduation rate of 34%.

Estimated Program Tuition: $27,936

#48 Upper Iowa University School of Business – Fayette, Iowa

Photo creditThe School of Business at Upper Iowa University features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis. By offering six, eight week terms each year, the School of Business can offer students flexibility of scheduling courses to accelerate their degree completion. Admission requirements for this program include an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, proper GPA, and minimal GMAT score. This 36-credit hour program is divided between 21 credits of core coursework and 15 credits within the Accounting emphasis featuring the following classes: Taxation for Corporation, Forensic Accounting, Advanced Managerial Accounting, Advanced Accounting Information Systems, and a graduate elective of the student's choosing. Priced at $1,605 per three-semester hour course, this 100% online MBA features an attractive total tuition cost of $19,260.

Upper Iowa University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit university situated in Fayette, Iowa and offering degree plans at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the 4,797 students currently enrolled there. Reporting a graduation rate of 41%, the school is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Besides the main campus, which lies near the Volga River, the school maintains learning centers across the United States as well as in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Home of the Peacocks and wearing the official school colors of blue and white, the athletic department at UIU is the only one in Iowa competing at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The university got its start in 1854, when Robert and Elizabeth Alexander donated $10,000 to complement the donation of $5,000 and 10 acres of land donated by their son-in-law, Samuel Robertson to get a college started in that part of the state. Three years later the school was officially established with an affiliation with the Methodist Church.

Estimated Program Tuition: $19,260

#47 Utica College School of Business and Justice Studies – Utica, New York

Photo creditThe School of Business and Justice Studies at Utica College offers an online Master's of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting. This blended MBA degree offers students the chance to study online, in the classroom, or in a combination of the two. The School of Business, which has recently been recognized as the 145^th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, has designed this program to train students for exciting careers as portfolio managers, financial research analysts, investments analysts, and personal financial advisors. This 30-credit hour program is priced at $650 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition an attractive $19,500. This online MBA is divided between six core courses and four Finance/Accounting-specific courses including Seminar in Advanced Managerial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Managerial Economics, and Advanced Financial Management.

Originally established as an extension of Syracuse University in 1946, Utica College would become a financially and legally independent institution of higher learning in 1995. Today this four-year, private, not-for-profit university situated in Utica, New York offers degree plans at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 4,463 students currently enrolled there. Reporting a graduation rate of 42%, Utica College receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The UC campus was originally set up in what was once downtown Utica, before the school moved in 1961 to over 125 acres on the west side of the city near New Hartford and Whitesboro. The UC Pioneers compete wearing the official school colors of navy and orange through the NCAA Division III level as members of the Empire 8 Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $19,500

#46 Midwestern State University Dillard College of Business Administration – Wichita Falls, Texas

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting is featured at Midwestern State University's Dillard College of Business Administration. Although this program is open to applicants lacking a business undergraduate degree, those students are required to take a six-hour leveling course of BUAD 5006 which "covers fundamental concepts from accounting, economics, finance, management, management information systems, marketing, and statistics in an online format." This 33-hour hybrid program features a total tuition cost of $15,910, making it one of the most affordable programs on our list. All core courses and the capstone courses included in this MBA with a specialization in Accounting can be completed online while the concentration courses must be completed in a traditional classroom setting. The Dillard College of Business Administration receives its stellar business accreditation through the AACSB.

Recognized as the only public liberal arts college in the state of Texas, Midwestern State University is also one of only four independent public universities unaffiliated with the state's public university system. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Midwestern State reports a graduation rate of 44%. Featuring a student body of 6,043, the school currently offers degree plans at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Established in 1922 as Wichita Falls Junior College, the school was moved to its current location 15 years later and renamed Hardin Junior College. Midwestern State became a four-year university in 1950. Home of the Mustangs and wearing the official school colors of maroon and gold, the athletic department at Midwestern State is comprised of 13 varsity teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Lone Star Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $15,910

#45 University of the Cumberlands Hutton School of Business – Williamsburg, Kentucky

Photo creditThe Hutton School of Business at the University of the Cumberlands offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis. This 39-hour program is priced at just $315 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition an affordable $12,285. This 100% online MBA is divided between 21 hours of core courses, three seminar hours, and 15 hours of Accounting electives including Taxation of Business Ethics, Advanced Accounting Information Systems, Advanced Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting, Advanced Accounting Theory, Tax Research and Practice, and Advanced Assurance Services. The application process into the Hutton School of Business includes completing a Graduate Application with application fee, writing a self-assessment of "professional experiences and/or goals as they relate to pursuit of the MBA," and requesting that all official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work be sent to the office of admissions. Although an undergraduate degree in business is not a prerequisite, students lacking the proper academic experience in business may be required to take foundational courses in the areas of accounting, economics, and finance.

University of the Cumberlands is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning situated in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The school currently oversees 6,276 students pursuing degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Reporting a graduation rate of 37%, the university receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Supported by the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the school was established in 1889 as Williamsburg Institute until 1913, when it was renamed Cumberland College. The university is currently comprised of four colleges: Cumberland College, the Hutton School of Business/Management, the Hutton Center for Leadership Studies, and the Graduate/Professional Education program. The school offers 45 undergraduate degrees, several graduate programs and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology, Counseling, Education, and Leadership.

Estimated Program Tuition: $12,285

#44 Jacksonville State University School of Business & Industry – Jacksonville, Alabama

Photo creditJacksonville State University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting at its School of Business & Industry. This 57-semester hour program is divided between 33 semester hours of graduate business courses and 24 semester hours of Accounting-intensive courses. Accounting concentration courses for this 100% online MBA include Accounting Information Analysis, Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions, Business Policy & Strategy, International Business, Financial Management, and Marketing Administration. Priced at $382 per credit, this degree features a competitive total cost of tuition of $21,774. Recently recognized as the 160^th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the School of Business & Industry receives its excellent business accreditation through the AACSB. Students interested in applying to the School of Business & Industry must complete an application and submit a GMAT test score of at least 400 to receive unconditional acceptance into this program.

Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Jacksonville State University is a four-year public institution of higher learning located in Jacksonville, Alabama. Currently overseeing a student body of 8,314, the school offers degree plans at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Originally established in 1883 as Jacksonville State Normal School, the university was first designed to train teachers for careers in education all over the state of Alabama. The athletic department at JSU is comprised of six men's varsity teams and nine women's varsity teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level within the Ohio Valley Conference. Jacksonville State University reports a graduation rate of 31 percent.

Estimated Program Tuition: $21,774

#43 Champlain College Division of Continuing Professional Studies – Burlington, Vermont

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting Graduate Certificate is featured at the Division of Continuing Professional Studies at Champlain College. Students have the choice of completing this degree in two years taking one course each eight-week term or doubling up on courses throughout and finishing all coursework in as few as 12 months. Besides the core courses, this 100% online MBA features the following Accounting Certificate courses: Business Analysis Using Financial Statements, Risk & Performance Measurement, International Dimensions of Accounting, and Advanced AIS. This 36-credit hour program is priced at $795 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition a competitive $28,260. The Division of Continuing Professional Studies considers a completed application file as one that includes all the following: an online application, a three-to-four paragraph essay, all college transcripts, a current resume, a letter of recommendation, an undergraduate degree, and two years of relevant work experience.

Established in 1878 by G.W. Thompson, Champlain College was first named Burlington Business School to train young men for "the business cares and responsibilities of life." Today, the college is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and reports a graduation rate of 58%. With its main campus in Burlington, Vermont, this four-year, private, not-for-profit school offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 4,006 students currently enrolled there. While 41 states ad 22 foreign countries are represented within the student body of the school, the demographic breakdown is 62% male and 38% female. Champlain boasts an impressive student to faculty ratio of just 12 to one while the average class size is 17.

Estimated Program Tuition: $28,620

#42 City University of Seattle School of Management – Seattle, Washington

Photo creditThe School of Management at City University of Seattle offers an online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting. This 48-credit hour program is priced at $678 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $32,544. This nationally recognized business school requires no GMAT of GRE scores for applicants and lists an undergraduate degree from an accredited university as the primary requirement for admission. U.S. News & World Report recognizes the School of Management as the #171 among the best in the nation. This 48-credit hour program is divided into three areas of study including a foundational course in MBA Common Professional Components, business core courses including Business Communication and Research, Law for Global Business, Applied Marketing, Strategic Financial Management, and People and Systems in Organizations, and the Technology Management-specific elective courses including Financial Accounting and Reporting, Regulation, Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, and Accounting Internship. The School of Management receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP.

City University of Seattle is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning currently overseeing nearly 2,400 students seeking degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The university features a main campus in Seattle, Washington, as well as over 20 educational centers for learning across the globe including facilities in Canada, China, Czech Republic, Greece, Mexico, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Vietnam. Besides the School of Management, CityU features the Albright School of Education, the Division of Arts/Sciences, and the School of Applied Leadership. While reporting a 47% graduation rate among its students, the school receives its regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Established in 1973, the school was recently recognized as one of the top 30 undergraduate online undergraduate programs and among the 20-best online degree programs for veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Estimated Program Tuition: $32,544

#41 Columbia College School of Business Administration – Columbia, Missouri

Photo creditColumbia College's School of Business Administration features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. This program consists of nine credits of graduate foundation courses of Managerial Economics, Managerial Finance, and Decision Science for Business, 21 hours of required core courses, and two elective graduate courses students choose from the following list: Business Communication Theory and Practice, Organizational Theory and Practice, International Business, Employment Law, Compensation and Benefits, and Marketing Strategy. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit proof of an undergraduate degree featuring a GPA of 3.0, all transcripts, a completed application, three recommendation forms, a personal goal statement, and a professional resume to the School of Business Administration. Priced at just $395 per credit, the total tuition rate of this 36-credit hour program is an affordable $14,220.

Though first established as Christian Female College in 1851 as a nonsectarian institution of higher learning, today's Columbia College features a main campus in the city of Columbia, Missouri and retains a covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Among the school's recent recognitions includes the Princeton Review's naming the school a "Best Midwestern University" in 2014. Today this four-year, private, not-for-profit university offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the 14,759 students currently enrolled there. Featuring a graduation rate of 46%, the school receives its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Estimated Program Tuition: $14,220

#40 Campbellsville University School of Business and Economics – Campbellsville, Kentucky

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting focus is featured at Campbellsville University's School of Business and Economics. This 100% online degree is offered within a business school that has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 86^th best in the nation. The School of Business and Economics receives its business accreditation through the IACBE. Applicants interested in this program are required to submit an online application, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts showing a GPA minimum of 2.5. Other prerequisites including GMAT/GRE score, a resume, and letter of intent may be waived based on the student's previous academic experience. This 36-credit hour online MBA has been designed to be completed in as little as two years while the program is divided between 27 credit hours of core requirements including Marketing Management, Organization Theory, Human Resource Management, and Business Strategy, and nine credit hours of Accounting-specific coursework. This 36-credit hour program is priced at $499 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $17,964.

Home of the Tigers and wearing the official school colors of maroon and grey, the athletic program at Campbellsville University is comprised of 11 men's varsity teams and 10 women's varsity teams which compete within the Mid-South Conference. The university features a main campus in Campbellsville, Kentucky and offers on-campus instruction in Elizabethtown, the Harrodsburg Education Center, the Louisville Education Center, and the Noe Somerset Education Center. This four-year, private, not-for-profit university was founded in 1906 and was originally named Russell Creek Academy. U.S. News & World Report recognized the school as the 4th up and coming institution of higher learning in the nation in 2010. Today, Campbellsville University offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to a student body of nearly 3,200 members. The university receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges and reports a graduation rate of 37 percent.

Estimated Program Tuition: $17,964

#39 University of Houston-Victoria School of Business Administration – Victoria, Texas

Photo courtesy of the University of Houston-VictoriaThe School of Business Administration at the University of Houston-Victoria features an online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Priced at just $332 per credit, this 30-credit hour program features an overall tuition rate of $9,662 making it the second-most affordable online MBA in our ranking. Recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the 175^th best in the nation, the School of Business Administration receives its top-notch business accreditation through the AACSB. This 100% online MBA was named the 19^th best in the world by Quacquarelli Symonds. Qualifying students can complete this degree by taking as few as six core courses followed by four Accounting-intensive courses including the required Advanced Auditing and three electives including Advanced Studies in Taxation, Contemporary Issues in Accounting, Accounting Ethics, Oil & Gas Accounting, Tax Research, International Accounting, and Governmental & Not-For-Profit Accounting. Interested applicants are encouraged to complete the online Texas Common Application, submit all official transcripts, and show a GMAT score of at least 450. The School of Business Administration does not require an application fee for consideration into this program.

As one of the four stand-alone institutions of higher learning within the University of Houston System, the University of Houston-Victoria was established in 1973 to bring higher education to the small Texas town located to the southwest of Houston. This four-year public university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to the 4,152 students currently enrolled there. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, UHV began as an upper-division and graduate school before admitting freshmen and sophomores in 2009. Besides the School of Business Administration, the university also features the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Education & Human Development.

Estimated Program Tuition: $9,662

#38 Albertus Magnus College Division of Professional and Graduate Studies – New Haven, Connecticut

Photo creditAlbertus Magnus College's Division of Professional and Graduate Studies features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting specialization. This 48-credit hour program is priced at $2,514 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $40,224. The Division of Professional and Graduate Studies, which receives its business accreditation through the IACBE, offers five starting times each year for this 100% online MBA. For students looking to graduate as early as possible, the school offers a "Flex" program where students choose online or on-campus courses among eight week classes. This program is divided between 11 Required Business Administration core courses and five Advanced Specialization courses including Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Ethics for Accounting Professionals, Taxation of Business Entities, and Global Financial Reporting.

Established by the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs in 1925, Albertus Magnus College is a four-year, private, not-for-profit Catholic university which currently offers degree plans at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the 1,515 students currently enrolled there. Located in walking distance from Yale University, the campus of Albertus Magnus lies within the residential area of Prospect Hill among historical 19^th century mansions, some of which are members of the Prospect Hill Historic District. Home of the Falcons, the 14 sports teams at the school compete at the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and within the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. Receiving its regional accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education, Albertus Magnus reports a solid graduation rate of 61%.

Estimated Program Tuition: $40,224

#37 Bellevue University College of Business – Bellevue, Nebraska

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration is offered at Bellevue University's College of Business. With a per-credit hour cost of $545, this 36-credit hour degree has a total tuition cost of $19,620. Applicants interested in applying to the College of Business at Bellevue University are encouraged to submit an online application along with an application fee, report an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, have maintained a GPA of at least 2.5 within the last 60 hours of coursework, and be prepared to submit letters of recommendation and essays. Some students have reported an early career salary of up to $52,200 upon graduating from the College of Business reflecting a positive return on the investment of education. This 100% online MBA is divided between 27 credit hours of core courses and nine hours of Accounting-focused courses including Advanced Accounting Problems, Accounting Theory, International Accounting, Taxation of Business Entities, Advanced Auditing, and Accounting for Governmental and Non-Profit Entities. The College of Business receives its regional accreditation through the IACBE.

Home of the Bruins, the athletic department at Bellevue University competes at the NAIA level and supports four men's varsity teams and five women's varsity teams. This four-year, private, not-for-profit university currently oversees 9,760 students seeking degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. While the school reports a graduation rate of 18%, it receives its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. With a shorter history that only dates to 1966, Bellevue University is proud to feature a cultural and academic relevance which offers students the best educational experience possible whether online or on campus. The picturesque main campus of Bellevue U, located in Bellevue, Nebraska, has recently been upgraded with remodeled buildings throughout campus and many improved roads and resurfaced parking lots.

Estimated Program Tuition: $19,620

#36 Benedictine University Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business – Lisle, Illinois

Photo creditThe Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business at Benedictine University features an online Master's of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Crain's Chicago Business cited the MBA program at Benedictine as the forth largest in all of Chicago in 2016, while multiple sources rank this online MBA and the university among the best in the nation. This 64-credit online MBA is priced at $600 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $38,400. Some students, upon graduating from the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business, have reported an early career salary of $54,500 reflecting a sound return on the investment of higher education. The time of completion for this degree rests solely on the student's preference; some taking one class at a time will complete the program in two years while those doubling up on courses can complete in one. This 16-course, 100% online MBA is divided between foundational and managerial requirements and Accounting-specific courses including Corporate Accounting Theory & Practice I and II and Tax Influences on Decision Making.

Named after St. Benedict, the father of western monasticism, Benedictine University was established in 1887 by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey. The school was originally known as St. Procopius College and took on its current name in 1996. Currently, the university offers 56 undergraduate programs, 15 graduate degrees, 34 graduate certificates, and four doctoral programs to the 5,954 students enrolled. Featuring a main campus in Lisle, Illinois, Benedictine University receives its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and reports a graduation rate of 53 percent.

Estimated Program Tuition: $38,400

#35 Edgewood College School of Business – Madison, Wisconsin

Photo creditEdgewood College offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration at its School of Business. This program features 37 graduate credits priced at $930 per credit making the total cost of tuition $34,410. The School of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP, encourages applicants to submit a graduate application with $30 fee, request all official transcripts, provide two letters of recommendation, submit a written statement with GMAT or GRE scores unless otherwise waived, and show at least two years of relevant professional work experience. This degree is divided between 27 credits of core coursework and six credits of Accounting-specific courses including Intermediate Accounting I and Intermediate Cost I. The final four credits of this 100% online MBA with an Accounting focus consist of an Integrating Capstone pair of courses, Strategic Management I and II.

Wearing the official school colors of black, white, and red, the Edgewood College Eagles compete at the NCAA Division III level within the Northern Athletics Conference. Receiving its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, Edgewood reports a 60% graduation rate. With a 55-acre campus in Madison, Wisconsin, this four-year, private, not-for-profit university offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 2,678 students currently enrolled there. With its roots going all the way back to 1855, when the land for the future school was purchased, the school was established in 1927 as Edgewood Junior College with an enrollment of 12 female students.

Estimated Program Tuition: $34,410

#34 University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business and Technology – Kearney, Nebraska

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a track in Accounting is featured at the College of Business and Technology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. This 33-credit hour program is priced at an attractive $285 per credit hour giving it a total tuition cost of just $9,405; the lowest priced program on our list. Divided between 18 hours of core courses and 15 Accounting-specialized credits, the Accounting Track includes the following courses and electives: Management Information Systems Seminar, Managerial Economics, Operations Management, Tax Accounting, Advanced Tax Accounting, Auditing, and Governmental/Non-Profit Accounting. Applicants interested in this program are encouraged to submit all transcripts showing a GPA of 3.75 or higher to waive the GMAT or, if the applicant has less than two years of full-time work experience, an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 480. The College of Business receives its exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB.

Home of the Lopers, the athletic department of the University of Nebraska at Kearney is comprised of 17 men's and women's varsity sports teams that compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Receiving its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, UNK is a four-year, public university overseeing 6,747 students seeking degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Begun with $50,000 and 20 acres of land in Kearney, Nebraska, the school was established in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney with the express purpose of training young women to be teachers in western Nebraska. Currently the university reports a graduation rate of 56 percent.

Estimated Program Tuition: $9,405

#33 University of North Alabama College of Business – Florence, Alabama

Photo creditThe College of Business at the University of North Alabama features an online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Students already holding a graduate or professional degree, or who maintained a 2.5 GPA while achieving an undergraduate degree and who have four years of professional experience can enter this program on an unconditional basis. Students lacking these requirements may be accepted on a conditional basis with a combination of a GMAT score and lesser work experience. This 34-credit hour program is divided between 25 core course credits and nine credit hours specific to the Accounting concentration. Accounting Core courses include Research in Accounting, Advanced Accounting Theory, Enterprise Systems Analysis and Design, and Foundations of Business while the Accounting Concentration Electives include Financial Statement Analysis, Valuation Tools for Professional Accounting, Controllership, Business Combinations, and Decision Theory. With a price of $425 per credit hour, this 34-hour online MBA features an attractive total tuition cost of $14,450. The College of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the AACSB, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the 115^th best in the nation.

Established in 1830 and originally known as LaGrange College, the University of North Alabama holds the distinction of being the oldest four-year public university in Alabama. Nestled in historic Florence, Alabama, the 130-acre campus of UNA is very close to Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals, and offers lively activities for its resident students with close access to many popular downtown attractions. Music fans will be interested to know of the school's proximity to the famous Muscle Shoals which adds to the region's cultural flavor. UNA, which is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, is a four-year public institute of higher learning offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to the 7,078 students enrolled. Home of the Lions, the athletic program at North Alabama sponsors 14 varsity sports teams and competes at the NCAA Division II level as a member of Gulf South Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $14,450

#32 Gardner-Webb University Godbold School of Business – Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Photo creditGardner-Webb University features an online Master's of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at the Godbold School of Business. Students interested in applying for this program are encouraged to submit all official transcripts, resume, and three confidential letters of recommendation, show a minimum GPA of 2.5, and complete an application with $40 fee. This 36-credit hour, 100% online MBA with an Accounting specialization is divided between 30 hours of core coursework and six hours of Accounting electives including Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Federal Income Tax I, Advanced Accounting, and Auditing. A Capstone course in Strategic Management is required for completion by this program. The Godbold School of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP, has recently been recognized as the 119^th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, the four-year, private not-for-profit Gardner-Webb University offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 4,329 students currently enrolled. Reporting a graduation rate of 52% and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, GWU is comprised of two academic schools, five professional schools, and 11 academic departments. Competing at the NCAA Division I level within the Big South Conference, the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb wear the official school colors of scarlet, black, and white. Recent successes in athletics include the swimming and basketball teams placing within their conference on several occasions.

Estimated Program Tuition: $18,900

#31 Emporia State University School of Business – Emporia, Kansas

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting focus is offered at the School of Business at Emporia State University. General admission requirements into the School of Business, which receives its excellent business accreditation through the AACSB, include an undergraduate degree from an accredited university along with a sliding scale between overall GPA and GMAT score. Applicants without business education may still be accepted into the program, however a background in accounting, business law, algebra, economics, finance, and statistics is preferred and some prerequisite courses may need to be taken. This 100% online 36-credit hour program is divided between 21 core curriculum credit hours, one required Accounting course of Accounting Theory, two Accounting elective courses and one Business elective course. Interested applicants for the Accounting track should have a background in the following courses to be considered for acceptance into the program: Intermediate Financial Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, Income Taxation, and Auditing. With a cost of $333 per credit hour, this online MBA is one of the most affordable programs on our list with a total tuition price of $12,007.

Home of the Hornets and wearing the official school colors of black and gold, Emporia State University has remained ranked as a top 20 school in producing NCAA Division II Academic All-Americans by the College Sports Information Directors of America for 17 years and counting. Nestled on 200 acres in Emporia, Kansas, the main campus of ESU is complemented by educational centers at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Butler Community College, and Johnson County Community College. This four-year public university was established in 1863 as the state of Kansas' first public university. Today Emporia State offers over 65 majors, minors, and concentrations with degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to a student body of 6,094. Emporia State currently reports a graduation rate of 42% and is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Estimated Program Tuition: $12,007

#30 Southern Adventist University School of Business – Collegedale, Tennessee

Photo creditThe School of Business at Southern Adventist University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. This 36-credit hour online MBA with a specialization in Accounting is divided between 24 hours of Business Administration core courses and 12 hours of specialized courses specific to the Accounting emphasis. This program may require an extra six credits in Financial Accounting, Intermediate Financial Accounting I and II, and Principles of Finance if accepted students lack these undergraduate equivalents. Except for these requirements, this 36-credit hour program costs $615 per credit hour making the total tuition price of this program $22,140. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit an application with $25 fee, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. A GMAT can be waived with a 3.25 GPA or a lesser GPA and with five years of professional management experience. The School of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the IACBE, offers three application deadlines each calendar year.

Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Southern Adventist University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit university owned and maintained by the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and based in Collegedale, Tennessee that reports a graduation rate of 58 percent. Over 3,000 students are enrolled at SAU and are seeking degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Recently celebrating 125 years of being a Christian institution of higher learning, the university was established in 1892 as the Graysville Academy and today enjoys a lower student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to one while still offering many opportunities for community service and engagement for its students. Financial aid among students is a top priority for the school apparent in the $12 million dollars awarded to the student body each year.

Estimated Program Tuition: $22,500

#29 Wilmington University College of Business – New Castle, Delaware

Photo creditWilmington University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting specialization at its College of Business. The Accounting concentration to this degree features an 18-credit core curriculum followed by 18 credits of Accounting electives. Courses within the Accounting track include Financial Accounting Theory, Policy, and Research, Advanced Managerial Accounting, Issues in Auditing and Assurance Services, Fraud Prevention and Forensic Accounting, Federal Taxation, Policy, and Research, and International Accounting and Taxation. This 36-credit hour program is priced at $466 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $16,776. Some students have reported an early career salary of $59,700 upon graduating from the College of Business revealing a positive return on the investment of education. The College of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the IACBE, recommends incoming students to register for MBA 6000 as the first course in their graduate career.

With the demographic breakdown of female to male students at Wilmington University of 64% to 36%, the school's current enrollment is 15,002 students. Featuring a main campus in New Castle, Delaware, the school also maintains five other centers for learning in Delaware, five in New Jersey, and one in Maryland. This four-year, private, not-for-profit institute of higher learning offers almost 100 degrees and certificate programs at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Wilmington University reports an interactive student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to one and a graduation rate of 23 percent. The school is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Home of the Wildcats, the sports teams at Wilmington compete at the NCAA Division II level and are members of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $16,776

#28 University of Saint Francis College of Business and Health Administration – Joliet, Illinois

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis is offered at the College of Business and Health Administration at the University of Saint Francis. The College of Business and Health Administration, recently named the 119^th best in the nation by U.S News & World Report, receives its excellent business accreditation through the ACBSP. This 36-hour program is competitively priced at $798 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $28,728. Students looking for an accelerated experience can complete all coursework for the program in as few as 12 months while qualifying students with the proper academic background can transfer up to nine semester hours of credit into this 100% online MBA. This degree is divided between 24 hours of core credits and 12 hours of Accounting-intensive courses including International Accounting & Reporting, Fraud Examination, Financial Statement Analysis, and Taxes II. Students interested in this program are encouraged to submit an application and fee, admission essay, official transcripts from all accredited universities showing a GPA of at least 2.75, and two letters of recommendation into the admissions department at the College of Business and Health Administration.

Just 35 miles southwest of Chicago lies the main campus of the University of Saint Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Featuring a student body of 3,957, this four-year, private, not-for-profit Catholic, Franciscan university offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Receiving its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, the school currently reports a graduation rate of 65% while the student body of the University of Saint Francis consists of 38% men and 62% women. Home of the Fighting Saints, the athletic program at the school supports nine men's varsity teams and 10 women's varsity teams within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Estimated Program Tuition: $28,728

#27 California Baptist University Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business – Riverside, California

Photo creditThe Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University features an online Master's of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting. The curriculum for this degree was designed by the leadership of Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business to prepare students for the CPA exam and then a career in corporate accounting, public accounting, managerial accounting, non-profit, and government accounting. This 36-credit hour program is priced at just $643 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition a competitive $23,148. This 100% online MBA, which features an average completion time of just 12 months, is divided between 21 units of Business Core Requirements and 15 units of Accounting Specialization courses including Contemporary Issues in Auditing and Assurance, Taxation for Business Entities, Advanced Topics in Financial Accounting, Ethics and Professional Responsibility for CPAs, and Financial Management. Receiving its business accreditation through the ACBSP, the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business has recently been recognized as the 95^th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention, California Baptist University was established in 1950 as California Baptist College. With an initial student body of 120, the school quickly outgrew its first campus and in 1955 moved to Riverside, California. Today this four-year, private, not-for-profit university offers degree plans at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 8,541 students currently enrolled. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission, the school reports a graduation rate of 60%. The main campus continues to see improvements in recent years including a newly constructed building to house the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, a new Events Center scheduled to open in mid-2017, and the groundbreaking of an engineering building in 2016.

Estimated Program Tuition: $23,148

#26 DeSales University Graduate Studies – Center Valley, Pennsylvania

Photo creditThe Graduate Studies department at DeSales University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting specialization. This 12-course, 100% online MBA is divided between seven core courses, three concentration courses, one elective, and one capstone integrating course. The Accounting-intensive courses students can choose from include Corporate Financial Reporting, Auditing Concepts and Practices, Advanced Financial Accounting Topics, Federal Income Taxation: Concepts and Applications, International Accounting, and Fraud Examination. This MBA degree is priced at $840 per credit making the entire cost of tuition $29,340. Receiving its business accreditation through the ACBSP and recently recognized as the 82^nd best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Graduate Studies department encourages applicants to apply online by submitting a $50 application fee, GMAT score, official transcripts, personal statement, resume, and three letters of recommendation.

DeSales University receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and reports an impressive 70% graduation rate among its students. Named after Saint Francis de Sales, this four-year, private, not-for-profit university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs to its 3,136-member student body. While the main campus of DeSales is situated on over 400 acres in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, the school was originally established by Catholic leaders in 1965 and named Allentown College. Today, DeSales enjoys an intimate student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to one, while the average class size is 20 students. The sports programs at DU compete at the NCAA Division III level and within the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $30,240

#25 Saint Leo University School of Business – Saint Leo, Florida

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting is offered at Saint Leo University's School of Business. Students seeking an expedited degree plan will benefit from the two-course allotment over each eight-week term allowing all coursework for the degree to be completed in as little as one year. This online MBA with a focus Accounting is divided between 18 Business Core credits and 18 Accounting Concentration credits including the following courses: Fund Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting, Fraud Examination, Advanced Cost Accounting, Business Law and the Accountant, Using Financial Accounting Information, and Accounting Theory. This 36-credit hour 100% online MBA is priced at $720 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $25,920. An early career salary of $52,100 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the School of Business revealing a strong return on the investment of education.

Holding the distinction as the oldest Catholic school in Florida, and the fourth oldest in the Unites States, Saint Leo University was founded in 1889 and was one of the first American universities to offer distance learning to students in 1973. Saint Leo is a four-year, private, not-for-profit, Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in Saint Leo, Florida, just 35 miles north of Tampa. Besides the main campus in the city of Saint Leo, there are over 40 centers of education spread among seven states in the nation. The school offers associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs to its 15,800-member student body. All 50 states and over 80 foreign nations are represented within the student body of SLU. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Saint Leo reports a 45% graduation rate.

Estimated Program Tuition: $25,920

#24 Tennessee Technological University College of Business – Cookeville, Tennessee

Photo creditThe College of Business at Tennessee Technological University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting. This 30-credit hour program is priced at $447 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $13,410. U.S News & World Report has recognized the College of Business as the 65^th best in the nation, while GetEducated.com ranks this Master's of Business Administration program as a "Best Buy." Students choosing the accelerated track can complete this 100% online MBA in as little as 12 months. Twenty-one credit hours of this degree are core courses while nine hours are Accounting-intensive electives including Financial Accounting and Reporting, Governmental, Not-For-Profit, and Healthcare Accounting, Tax Research and Strategy, and Auditing and Attestation.

Home of the Golden Eagles, the athletic program at Tennessee Technological University is a member of the Ohio Valle Conference and competes at the NCAA Division I level. The school's mascot is the Awesome Eagle and official colors are purple and gold. Tennessee Tech is a four-year, public university located on 235 acres along Dixie Avenue in Cookeville, a town located 70 miles east of Nashville. Established as the University of Dixie in 1909 and later known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in 1915, Tennessee Tech offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 10,900 students currently enrolled. TTU, which reports a graduation rate of 53%, receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tennessee Tech has ranked highly among schools in the south according to U.S. News and World Report. The Princeton Review named the school as a "Best College Value" in 2007, 2008, and 2010.

Estimated Program Tuition: $13,410

#23 Maryville University John E. Simon School Of Business – Saint Louis, Missouri

Photo creditMaryville University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis at the John E. Simon School of Business. This 36-credit hour program is priced at $714 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $25,704. The coursework for this 100% online degree is divided between eight core courses and four Accounting-intensive courses which include Tax Planning and Decision Making, Strategic Accounting Issues, Financial Statement Analysis, and Forensic Accounting. Receiving its business accreditation through the ACBSP, the John E. Simon School of Business encourages applicants to fill out an application for admission and submit a personal letter describing qualifications for acceptance. There is no GMAT or GRE requirement, application fee, or previous business experience needed for acceptance into this program. Students seeking conditional acceptance must have maintained a GPA of at least 2.5 throughout their undergraduate academic career.

Receiving its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, Maryville University reports an impressive graduation rate of 71%. While the average class size at Maryville is 15 and the student-to-faculty ratio is an interactive 13 to one, all 50 states and 47 foreign countries are represented by the diverse student body. Located less than 25 miles from downtown St. Louis, the scenic, 130-acre campus of MU is nestled in the quiet suburb of Town and Country, Missouri. Besides beautiful landscapes and stately buildings, the campus offers students access to wooded areas for hiking, trails for biking, creeks, and two lakes for water sports. Known as one of the oldest private institutions in St. Louis and founded in 1872, Maryville University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit university offering its 6,414-member student body degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

Estimated Program Tuition: $25,704

#22 St. Bonaventure University School of Business – Saint Bonaventure, New York

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a track in Accounting is featured at the School of Business at St. Bonaventure University. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume, completed application, an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and all transcripts from past academic experience into the School of Business to be considered for this 30-credit hour program in Accounting. No GMAT or GRE scores are required for students maintaining a 3.3 GPA or 3.0 GPA with a complementing of two years of relevant professional experience. The School of Business, which receives its exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB, has designed this 100% online MBA to be completed in as few as 20 months by taking one course each seven-week term. This program is divided between nine credits of Foundation courses, which may be at least partially waived by qualifying students with the proper academic background, 12 credits of Business Core courses, four Accounting-intensive courses including Contemporary Accounting Theory, Advanced Cost Accounting, Intermediate Financial Reporting, and Legal Environment of Business, and one Capstone experience.

Located in Saint Bonaventure, New York, St. Bonaventure University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit Franciscan Catholic university which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to the 1,992 students currently enrolled there. Featuring a graduation rate of 64%, the school receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Founded by the Franciscan Brothers in 1858, the school was the brainchild of Utica businessman Nicolas Devereux. After hitting a financial rough patch in the early 1990's, the school was close to filing for bankruptcy before appointing a new president and enjoying a season of enrollment growth and vast campus improvement. Reflecting the Italian hometown of St. Francis, the 500-acre campus of St. Bonaventura features red brick buildings with Italianate roofs. Home of the Bonnies and wearing the official school colors of brown and white, the 14 varsity teams at the school compete within the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $21,990

#21 Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business – Detroit, Michigan

Photo creditThe Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting Systems concentration. Some advantages to incoming students offered by the Mike Ilitch School of Business, which receives its exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB, include a GMAT waiver for qualified students, accelerated course options for an earlier graduation, and full access to the Career Planning and Placement Office. This 36-credit hour program is evenly divided between 18 hours of core courses and 18 hours of Accounting Systems-intensive elective courses including Intermediate Financial Accounting I, Intermediate Managerial Accounting, Accounting Systems: Design and Controls, ERP Systems: Concepts and Practice, and Accounting Data Analytics. Priced at $713 per credit hour, this online MBA with a focus on Accounting features a total tuition rate of $25,671. An early career salary of up to $64,200 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the Mike Ilitch School of Business revealing a strong return on the investment of education.

Home of the Warriors, the athletic teams at Wayne State University compete at the NCAA Division II level and are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Known as Michigan's most diverse institution of higher learning, Wayne State's 27,140 enrollment represents every state in the U.S. and over 70 foreign countries. Established in 1868, the school is situated on over 200 acres in Detroit's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District with city landmarks, shopping, and attractions in close proximity to the school. Cited as one of the 100 largest universities in the United States, WSU is the third largest university in Detroit. Featuring excellent regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, Wayne State reports a 35% graduation rate.

Estimated Program Tuition: $25,671

#20 University of Dallas Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business – Irving, Texas

Photo courtesy of the University of DallasThe University of Dallas' Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Minimum admission requirements into the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business, which receives it excellent business accreditation through the AACSB, include an undergraduate degree featuring a cumulative 2.0 GPA from an accredited university, a 3,0 GPA in any graduate-level coursework completed, and good academic standing with any colleges attended prior to this online MBA. This 42 credit hour program features 14 classes spread between required core curriculum and Accounting-specific courses including Intermediate Financial Accounting I and II, Introduction to Taxation, Accounting Information Systems, Auditing, Financial Statement Analysis, and Business Ethics for Accountants. Priced at $1,250 per credit hour, this 42-hour online MBA features a total tuition cost of $52,500. An early career salary of up to $56,900 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business revealing a positive return on the investment of education.

Featuring a current enrollment of 2,387, the University of Dallas boasts a healthy graduation rate of 70% and a student-to-faculty ratio of ten to one. Originally chartered in 1910 as the Holy Trinity College by the Vincentian Fathers, the current school was later established in 1956 as a four-year, private, not-for-profit, Catholic, liberal arts university and today stands as only one of 23 Catholic universities in the U.S. to maintain a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. The University of Dallas is comprised of the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts, the Constantin College of Liberal Arts, the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business, and the School of Ministry. With a campus in Irving, Texas, the University of Dallas sits just 15 minutes from downtown Dallas and 10 miles from DFW International Airport. The school receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges, Schools and Commission on Colleges.

Estimated Program Tuition: $52,500

#19 Texas Woman's University School of Management – Denton, Texas

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting is offered at the School of Management at Texas Women's University. This 36-semester credit hour program is priced at an attractive $339 per credit hour resulting in an affordable total tuition rate of just $12,224 making it one of the most affordable degrees in our ranking. Coupling this with an early career salary of $52,200 reported by recent graduates makes this program an attractive option for the budget-minded distance learner. The School of Management, which receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP, does not require applicants to have an undergraduate degree in accounting but will determine what prerequisites are necessary per student on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit all transcripts revealing a GPA of at least 3.0, a resume, and two letters of recommendation to the School of Management. This 100% online MBA is divided between 15 credits of required courses, one elective course, and 18 credits of Accounting-intensive courses including Advanced Auditing, Financial Statement Analysis, Accounting for Management Control, Accounting Ethics, and Accounting Regulations or Accounting Research.

Featuring a student body of 15,286, Texas Women's University is a four-year, public university situated in Denton, Texas, less than 40 miles to the northwest of the Dallas metroplex. While male students are accepted into all the programs offered by the school, TWU is best known for being the largest state-supported institution of higher learning for women in the United States. Established in 1901, the school has remained autonomous and is one of only four Texas public universities without any affiliation to a public university system. TWU currently offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The school reports a graduation rate of 41% among its students.

Estimated Program Tuition: $12,224

#18 University of Miami School of Business Administration – Coral Gables, Florida

Photo creditThe School of Business Administration at the University of Miami features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting Practice Focus. Students interested in this 100% online Master's of Business Administration must complete the five steps of submitting an online application, uploading unofficial transcripts, GMAT, resume, and personal statement, obtaining two professional recommendations, submitting all transcripts, and applying for financial aid if needed. This 51-credit hour program includes 15 courses taken one at a time through seven-week classes. Students of this online MBA can expect to complete all coursework in just 28 months. With a per-credit price of $1,900, this degree features a total tuition rate of $96,900. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the School of Business Administration as the 61^st best in the nation. While the School of Business Administration receives its exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB, some students of the graduate school have reported an average early career salary of $67,900 revealing a strong return on the investment of education.

The University of Miami was founded in 1925 when a group of Floridians desired to establish an institute of higher learning which would offer "unique opportunities to develop inter-American studies, to further creative work in the arts and letters, and to conduct teaching and research programs in tropical studies." Since then, Miami has evolved into a four-year, private, not-for-profit university which oversees 16,825 students seeking degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Home of the Hurricanes, the athletic program at the University of Miami is one of the most popular programs in our modern times with a football team that has won five NCAA Division I national championships since 1983 and a baseball team that has climbed the podium as national championships four times since 1982. Situated on over 230 acres just south of Miami in Coral Gables, the main campus of the "U" features seven schools and two colleges.

Estimated Program Tuition: $96,900

#17 Friends University Graduate School – Wichita, Kansas

Photo creditFriends University features an online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting at its Graduate School. This 10-course online MBA, which features six core courses and four Accounting-intensive courses, is designed to be completed in as little as three-to-four semesters. This degree has been offered by the Graduate School since 1990 and is one of the school's most popular programs. This 100% online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration is comprised of 30-credit hours priced at $681 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $20,430. Some students have reported an early career salary of up to $49,500 upon graduating from the Graduate School revealing a positive return on the investment of education. Courses for this degree include Advanced Financial Accounting, Advanced Auditing, Advanced Income Tax, Advanced Commercial Law, and Operations Management. Admission requirements into this program include the completion of an online application, with no application fee required, and the submission of official transcripts.

Established in 1898 with an initial enrollment of only 52 students, Friends University currently oversees 1,929 students seeking associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees and reports a graduation rate of 41% among its students. Featuring a main campus in Wichita, Kansas, Friends University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit Christian university established in the Quaker tradition. The school was the very first university in the state of Kansas to offer an innovative adult education model, while the Zoo Science and Ballet programs are some of the most unique in the nation. Home of the Falcons, the athletic department of the university is comprised of eight men's varsity teams and seven women's varsity teams which are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and compete within the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Friends University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Estimated Program Tuition: $20,430

#16 National University School of Business and Management – La Jolla, California

Photo creditNational University's School of Business and Management features an online Master's of Business Administration with a Management Accounting focus. Priced at $416 per quarter unit, this 100% online MBA features an attractive total tuition rate of $26,208. The School of Business and Management, which receives its business accreditation through the IACBE, has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 155^th best in the nation. This 76.5-quarter unit degree includes two modules of core coursework followed by 18 quarter units of General Electives. The remaining 31.5 quarter units are required specialized courses within the Management Accounting concentration. The seven courses required for the focus in Management Accounting are Foundations of Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Advanced Managerial Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Accounting for Government & NFP Entities, and Financial Accounting I and II. Students interested in applying for this program are encouraged to submit an application with $60 fee, transcripts showing a GPA of at least 2.5, and sign up for an interview with an admissions advisor.

Besides its main campus situated in the coastal Southern California city of La Jolla, National University also features education centers throughout the state of California, in Nevada, and online through distance learning. The university is known as being one of the largest graduate student universities in the United States with an average age of its students being 32. National University is a four-year, private not-for-profit university with a main campus in La Jolla, California. The school currently offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 17,488. National University, which reports a graduation rate of 33%, receives its regional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. Featuring a first class of just 27 students, the school was founded by retired United States Navy lieutenant commander David Chigos in 1971. Today, the school consists of the College of Letters and Sciences, the School of Business and Management, the Sanford College of Education, the School of Engineering and Computing, the School of Health and Human Services, and the School of Professional Studies.

Estimated Program Tuition: $31,824

#15 University of West Florida College of Business – Pensacola, Florida

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting is featured at the College of Business at the University of West Florida. Students without a business background can take advantage of the Accelerated MBA Foundations, take two courses per semester, and be completed with all coursework in just two years. Upon graduating with this degree, students can be prepared for a satisfying career as an auditor, consultant, or tax practitioner; whether working in the private sector as a financial and operational manager, or in a variety of roles within the government. This 36-credit hour program is divided between 27 credits of MBA Core courses and nine credits of Accounting-specific courses including Seminar in Financial Accounting, Advanced Auditing, and Corporate Tax. Priced at $456 per credit, the total tuition rate of this 36-credit hour program is a low $16,434. Some students have reported an early career salary of $49,300 upon graduating from the College of Business, which receives its exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB.

With a whopping 1,600-acre campus, the University of West Florida is a comprehensive research, space-grant institution which touts the third largest campus in the State University System of Florida and is bordered by the Escambia Bay and two rivers. With a main campus in Pensacola, Florida, UWF is a four-year, public university offering associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to the 12,763 students currently enrolled there. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the school currently reports a graduation rate of 47% among its students. With a nod to its connection to space exploration and the coast, the school's ascot is an Argonaut while the school's official logo is the Chambered Nautilus.

Estimated Program Tuition: $16,434

#14 Azusa Pacific University School of Business and Management – Azusa, California

Photo creditThe School of Business and Management at Azusa Pacific University features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. This 42-unit program is priced at $742 per unit making the total cost of tuition $31,164. An early career salary average of $49,600 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the School of Business and Management revealing a sound return on the investment of education. This program includes 30 hours of core courses including Management Accounting, Quantitative Analysis and Research, Managerial Economics, Corporate Finance, and Marketing Strategy, 12 hours of Accounting-intensive credits, and one Experienced-Based Capstone elective. The School of Business and Management, which receives its business accreditation through the IACBE, operates on a year-round schedule divided into eight-week sessions. Most students of this program graduate in 15 to 30 months by taking one or two classes per session. Applicants interested in this 100% online MBA with a focus in Finance must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and a strong potential for success while seeking an MBA revealed in an assessment showing "the rigor of their undergraduate studies, academic performance, extensive work experience, and personal references."

Dating all the way back to 1899, and first called the Training School for Christian Workers, Azusa Pacific University was established as the first Bible college on the West Coast by a group of Quakers and a Methodist evangelist. Overseeing the largest student body in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities network, and the second-largest in the nation, Azusa Pacific University currently offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 9,975 students currently enrolled there. This four year, private, Christian university's campus is in suburban Azusa, California, with the metropolitan of Los Angeles situated just 20 miles to the southwest. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission, Azusa Pacific reports a graduation rate of 68 percent.

Estimated Program Tuition: $31,164

#13 Regent University School of Business & Leadership – Virginia Beach, Virginia

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting is featured at Regent University's School of Business & Leadership. This 42-credit hour program is priced at $650 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition an attractive $27,300. Some students within the School of Business & Leadership, which receives its excellent accreditation through the AACSB, have reported an early career salary average of $41,700. Master's applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, complete an online application with a $50 fee, and submit all transcripts, resume, and an admissions essay into the Admissions office by a rolling deadline each term. The school's two eight-week sessions each semester allow incoming students the chance to apply for acceptance a total of six times each year. Courses within this 42-credit hour program include, Financial Statement Analysis, Management Control Systems, Managerial Accounting, and Not-For-Profit Accounting. U.S. News & World Report has recognized the School of Business & Leadership as one of the best in the nation with a #111 ranking.

With a main campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this four-year, private, Christian university currently oversees nearly 7,000 students seeking degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through the eight academic schools. Recognized as one of the 30-most beautiful campuses in the South in 2015, Regent's sprawling 70-acre campus features historicist neo-Georgian architecture and a luxury hotel called the Founders Inn & Spa. Originally named the Christian Broadcasting Network University and founded in 1977 by author, pastor, and politician Pat Robertson, the name of the university was changed to Regent University in 1990. According to the school's charter, "A regent is one who represents Christ, our Sovereign, in whatever sphere of life he or she may be called to serve Him." Regent University, which reports a graduation rate of 49%, receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Estimated Program Tuition: $27,300

#12 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Business – Daytona Beach, Florida

Photo creditThe College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University features an online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting Methods. This 33-credit hour program is priced at $620 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition just $20,460. The budget-minded distance learner will be interested in this program as some students have reported an average early career salary of $60,900 upon graduating from the College of Business. Interested applicants to this program are encouraged to submit an official transcript and show a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, while students with a graduate degree must also submit transcripts and have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 throughout their studies. The College of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP, was recently named as the 100^th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This 33-credit hour online MBA in Accounting Methods is divided between 21 credit hours of core courses and 12 hours of Accounting Methods-intensive elective courses including Intermediate Accounting I and II, Federal Taxes, and any College of Business unduplicated course of the student's choosing.

The student body at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University consists of 13,740 students seeking degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The university is currently the largest fully-accredited institution of higher learning in the world dedicated to aviation and aerospace. With a main campus in Daytona Beach, Florida, Embry-Riddle, known as the "Harvard of the Sky," also maintains an education center in Prescott, Arizona and 125 other locations across the globe through its Worldwide Campus. With excellent regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, this four-year, private, not-for-profit university reports a graduation rate of 27%. Home of the Eagles, the athletic program at the school competes at the NCAA Division II level within the Sun Conference and supports 17 varsity men's and women's teams.

Estimated Program Tuition: $20,460

#11 Liberty University School of Business – Lynchburg, Virginia

Photo creditThe School of Business at Liberty University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. This 45-hour program allows students to transfer up to 15 credit hours into the degree plan and at a cost of $615 per credit hour, the total cost of tuition is $27,675. Some students of the School of Business have reported an average early career salary of $53,600 showing a positive balance between cost of the program and potential earnings in the marketplace. Interested applicants seeking this 100% online Master's of Business Administration are encouraged to submit an online application with $50 fee, initial submission of unofficial transcripts followed by sealed official transcripts, and an undergraduate degree consisting of a 3.0 GPA. 15 hours of upper level business courses completed are also required of students seeking to waive some foundational coursework. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's best at #127, the School of Business receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP.

With an online enrollment of over 90,000 and a residential enrollment of over 15,000, Liberty University holds the distinction as the largest institution of higher learning in the state of Virginia and the largest Christian university in the world. Established in 1971, Liberty University offers degree plans at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. With a main campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, the school has grown into the largest four-year, private, not-for-profit university in the nation, due largely to the university's consistently providing quality and affordable distance-learning programs in a variety of areas of study. LU receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Commission on Colleges. With a graduation rate of 47% among its enrolled students, Liberty reports that 95% of enrolled students benefit by some form of financial aid awarded by the school.

Estimated Program Tuition: $27,675

#10 University of Maryland, College Park Robert H. Smith School of Business – College Park, Maryland

Photo creditThe University of Maryland, College Park offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration at its Robert H. Smith School of Business. This 54-credit program is priced at $1,481 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $79,974. Students looking for a sound return on the investment of education will be pleased to know of the average early career salary of $78,000 reported by some students upon graduating from the business school. The Robert H. Smith School of Business, recently recognized as the 9^th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, receives its excellent business accreditation through the AACSB, while the University of Maryland, College Park is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This 54-credit program is designed to develop a student's ability "to analyze, track and communicate the financial information necessary for formulating business strategy and managing financial assets" in less than two years and offers the following Accounting-intensive courses: Fraud Examination, Detection, and Deterrence in the Business Environment, The Impact of Taxation on Business Entities, and Corporate Valuation.

Established in 1856, the University of Maryland, College Park stands today as the flagship of the University System of Maryland by offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to the nearly 39,000 students currently enrolled there. Featuring a strong graduation rate of 86%, the university is a member of the Association of American Institutes and competes athletically as a member of the Big Ten Conference. With a main campus located just four miles northeast of Washington D.C., the University of Maryland, College Park has long benefitted from research partnerships formed with the U.S. government and even recently enjoyed being the beneficiary of research funding from organizations like the Department of Homeland Security, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Estimated Program Tuition: $79,974

#9 Suffolk University Sawyer Business School – Boston, Massachusetts

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting is featured at the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University. Qualified students can complete all coursework for this degree in as few as 34 credit hours. This 100% online program is priced at $1,424 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $48,416. An attractive early career salary of $75,300 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the Sawyer Business School. Application requirements for acceptance into this program include the completion of an online form with a $50 application fee, submission of official transcripts, goal-statement and professional resume, one letter of recommendation, GMAT or GRE test results, and a possible admission interview conducted by a Sawyer Business School representative. In addition to the required core courses for this online MBA with a specialization in Accounting, students are required to complete four Accounting-specific courses included in the following list: Graduate Financial Accounting, Auditing and Assurance Services, Fraud Examination, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Advanced Topics in Managerial Accounting, and Accounting Information Systems. The Sawyer Business School receives its exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB.

Founded in 1906 in Boston Massachusetts, Suffolk University is as rooted in tradition as the city it is was built in. The university is currently in the process of moving its academic epicenter from the campus in Beacon Hill into the heart of downtown Boston at 20 Somerset Street. This relocation will give students even greater access to the many cultural and historical attractions found in Boston. Suffolk University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit university which offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to a student body of almost 8,000. The school receives its remarkable regional accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Estimated Program Tuition: $48,416

#8 Southern New Hampshire University School of Business – Manchester, New Hampshire

Photo creditThe School of Business at Southern New Hampshire University features an online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. This 12-course program is priced at $1,881 per course making the total cost of tuition an accessible $22,572. Some students of the business school, which was recently named by U.S. News & World Report as the 171^st best in the nation, have reported an average early career salary of $52,600 revealing a strong return of the investment of education. This 12-course, 100% online degree is divided between nine core courses and three Accounting-specific courses including Financial Reporting I, Financial Reporting II, and Tax Factors in Business Decisions. Students taking two courses each 10-week term can expect to graduate in just 15 months. The School of Business makes admission counselors accessible to all applicants and does not require applicants to submit a GMAT score.

Southern New Hampshire University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit university situated on 300 acres along the Merrimack River in Manchester, New Hampshire and offering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Comprised of two colleges and three schools, SNHU receives its regional accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education. In 1932, the school was original founded as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science by Harry and Gertrude Shapiro. Fast Company recently recognized the school as the 12^th most innovative organization in the world, putting it alongside other noteworthy innovators as Apple and Google. Home of the Penmen, SNHU men's and women's varsity teams are members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference and compete at the NCAA Division II level.

Estimated Program Tuition: $22,572

#7 Florida Institute of Technology Nathan M. Bisk College of Business – Melbourne, Florida

Photo creditThe Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology offers an online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. All coursework for this 36-credit hour program has been designed to be completed in as little as 24 months with 12 courses taken over eight-week long terms. The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the IACBE, touts this 100% online MBA as an excellent preparatory degree for a student desiring to establish a career as a certified public accountant, senior budget analyst, and director of accounting operations. This degree consists of two foundation courses, five core courses, four Accounting-intensive courses including Advanced Problems and Current Topics, International Accounting and Reporting, Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting, and Strategic Cost Management, and one capstone course of Strategic Management. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized this program as the 119^th best in the nation.

Currently overseeing 6,631 students seeking degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is a four-year, private, not-for-profit research university established in 1958 and situated on 130 acres in the city of Melbourne on Florida's Space Coast of the Atlantic. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Florida Tech reports a graduation rate of 57% and a male to female ratio of 71:29 in 2016. Recently recognized by Times Higher Education as the 219^th best university in the nation, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Florida Tech as a tier-one national university.

Estimated Program Tuition: $32,256

#6 Regis University College of Business & Economics – Denver, Colorado

Photo creditAn online Master's of Business Administration with a focus in Finance and Accounting is featured at Regis University's College of Business & Economics. This program is divided between five core courses, two specialized requirement courses including Interpreting Accounting Information and Financial Decision Making, three specialized electives including Financial Reporting Policy and Practice, International Accounting, Case Studies in Management Accounting, Tax Influence on Business Decision Making, and International Financial Management, a general elective course, and a MBA Capstone Course. This 36-credit hour program is priced at $780 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $28,080. An average early career salary of $58,400 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the College of Business & Economics.

With a total student body of 8,725 students seeking degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, Regis University receives its regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Originally established in Las Vegas, New Mexico by the Society of Jesus in 1877 as Las Vegas College, Regis University is now a four-year, private, not-for-profit, Catholic university situated in Denver, Colorado. One interesting pop-culture fact about the school is that Regis once hosted rock and roll icon Jimi Hendrix in concert and in 1974, served as the venue for the very first American performance of the British rock band, Queen. Home of the Rangers, the athletic department at the university features 12 varsity teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level and is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $28,080

#5 University of Scranton Arthur J. Kania School of Management – Scranton, Pennsylvania

Photo creditThe Arthur J. Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. This 36-credit hour program is priced at $956 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $34,740. An average early career salary of $55,200 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the business school. U.S. News & World Report recognizes the Arthur J. Kania School of Management as the #91 the best in the nation. Students interested in applying for admission into the Arthur J. Kania School of Management are required to submit an application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, and statement of intent. As the school is a Jesuit university, the faculty stresses ethics and social responsibility throughout the educational program.

First established as Saint Thomas College by founding father and Bishop of Scranton, the Most Reverend William O'Hara in 1888, the University of Scranton received university status fifty years later and today exists as a Catholic and Jesuit four-year, private not-for-profit university nestled in the historic Hill Section area of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Today the university houses three colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, Kania School of Management, and Panuska College of Professional Studies, and oversees over 5,400 students seeking degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the University of Scranton reports a healthy graduation rate of 80%. The athletic program at the school sponsors 19 men's and women's sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level.

Estimated Program Tuition: $34,740

#4 Creighton University Heider College of Business – Omaha, Nebraska

Photo creditThe Heider College of Business at Creighton University offers an online Master's of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting. Designed to be completed in as few as 26 months, this 11-course program can be completed in even less time by taking more than one course at a time or pairing the online classes with on-campus courses. Students interested in applying for this degree are encouraged to submit an online application form with fee, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, GMAT score, and a current resume into the admissions department. The Heider College of Business receives its stellar business accreditation through the AACSB. Courses included within this program include Accounting Seminar: Special Managerial and Financial Accounting Issues, Tax Theory and Business Decisions, Economic Analysis for Managers, Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting, and International Business Operations. This 33-credit hour online MBA is priced at $1,025 per credit hour making the total cost of tuition $33,825. Some students have reported an average early career salary of $58,000 upon graduation making this program a solid choice for the budget-minded graduate student.

The University of Scranton is a four-year, private, not-for-profit university which offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 5,422 students currently enrolled there. Receiving its quality accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university reports a healthy 80% graduation rate. The school was first known as St. Thomas College and established in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara. In 1938, the school achieved university status and was renamed. Today the University of Scranton is one of only 28 schools within the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. With an athletic program which supports 19 varsity sports teams, the Scranton Royals compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the Landmark Conference.

Estimated Program Tuition: $33,825

#3 University of Massachusetts, Lowell Robert J. Manning School of Business – Lowell, Massachusetts

Photo creditThe Robert J. Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell features an online Master's of Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis. Qualified students with the appropriate academic experience can complete this 100% online Master's of Business Administration in as few as 30-credit hours. Priced at just $575 per credit, the total cost of tuition for this 30-hour program is a low $17,250. Some students have reported an average early career salary of $67,300 upon graduating from the Robert J. Manning School of Business. Applicants interested in this program are encouraged to submit an online application with a fee, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a professional resume to the Office of Graduate Admissions. This degree is divided between 21 credits of core courses and nine credits of Accounting-specific elective courses including the following: Financial Accounting, Global Enterprise and Competition, Accounting Information for Management Decisions, Managing Organizational Change, Advanced Management and Sustainability Accounting, and Tax Factors in Business Decisions.

Receiving its regional accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education, the University of Massachusetts, Lowell was established in 1894 and currently reports a 56% graduation rate. The university features a total of 122 undergraduate programs, 43 master's degrees, and 26 doctoral programs. Home of the River Hawks, the athletic teams at UMass, Lowell were named in recognition of the campus' scenic location along the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. This four-year, public university currently offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body comprised of 18,047 students.

Estimated Program Tuition: $17,250

#2 Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Photo courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University An online Master's of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting is featured at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. This program offered by the Tepper School of Business, which receives its business accreditation through the AACSB, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the second-best in the nation. This part-time online MBA is divided between eight mini-semesters and has been designed by the business school to be completed in less than three years. Courses within this program include Corporate Strategy, Managing Networks and Organizations, Accounting, and Ethics and Leadership. While most coursework is completed online, students meet one weekend six times per year on campus for group work and projects. All 32 months of this hybrid online MBA include leadership and communication coaching while the final half of the program includes guidance through job placement. Priced at $15,350 per semester, this online MBA features a total cost of tuition of $61,440. An impressive average early career salary of $109,000 has been reported by some students upon graduating from the Tepper School of Business revealing a strong return on the investment of education.

Carnegie Mellon University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institute of higher education which got its start as the Carnegie Technical School in 1900 and was established by business mogul Andrew Carnegie. The school was renamed in 1967 when a merger took place between the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. Situated on 130 acres just three miles from downtown Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University sits just next to the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The school receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and currently oversees 12,963 students seeking degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Student satisfaction and quality of education are obvious at Carnegie Mellon reflected in a strong graduation rate of 88 percent.

Estimated Program Tuition: $61,440

#1 Syracuse University Martin J. Whitman School of Management – Syracuse, New York

Photo creditThe Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University features an online Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Among the business school's numerous recognitions includes it being named the #10 best global program by Financial Times, the 29^th best global by Quacquarelli Symonds, Princeton Review recognizing it as the 20^th best in the nation, and #47 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This 54-credit program is priced at $1,500 per credit making the total cost of tuition $81,000. Some students have reported an average early career salary of $59,800 upon graduating from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, revealing a sound return on the investment of education. While the business school receives its excellent business accreditation through the AACSB, this 100% online MBA is divided between 36 credits of core courses, 15 credits of Accounting-specific electives, and three credits of U.S. and global residencies. The Accounting electives associated with this course include Strategic Cost Analysis, Taxes & Business Strategy, Financial Statement Analysis, and Advanced Auditing.

Home of the Orange, Syracuse University's athletic program features 20 varsity men's and women's teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level within the Atlantic Coast Conference. Although known prominently for men's basketball and football, the winningest program at Syracuse is its men's lacrosse team which has won 14 national championships. The ‘Cuse is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institute of higher learning which offers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to a student body of 21,789 students currently enrolled there. Founded in 1870, gender equality has always been a priority of the school evident in an almost equal ratio of men to women students the first year of the school's existence. Featuring a high graduation rate of 81%, Syracuse receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Estimated Program Tuition: $81,000

Ranking Methodology

A list of almost 400 online and hybrid MBA programs was obtained, vetted for an Accounting focus or concentration, and then evaluated on the following five factors:

Estimated Tuition Cost: Each Online MBA was evaluated based on the estimated total base tuition cost. Meaning, this financial data is calculated for the entirety of the degree, but does not generally included fees, books, or room, with the exception of programs that use all-inclusive figures. This tuition pricing gives students insight on the average base investment, and thus giving insight on the possible return on investment once the degree is completed. Each tuition figure was gathered from the most recent data given on each program or school website. In the even that a school offered a lower in-state tuition cost, the in-state pricing was used in order to give insight on the best ROI possible. The lowest MBA tuition on the list was $9,405, the highest came in at $96,900, with the average resting at $28,711.

Accreditation: Accreditation plays a significant role in education and the life of an online MBA student and their future prospects. Accreditations can easily identify which programs have gone to extensive measures to reach high national and global standards in its research and delivered education. Programs without accreditation do not indicate low standards, but programs with accreditation give assurance to outside sources that high standards have been met. Accreditation affects an MBA's brand and prestige, which can affect a student's competitive advantage in the job market. Each program in this top online MBA ranking is evaluated on whether it holds a regional accreditation, as well as an additional business accreditation. The regional accrediting agencies are one of six institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The three business accrediting institutions that are used for ranking purposes in this list are IACBE, ACBSP, and AACSB. AACSB is widely regarded as the highest level of business accreditation, and thus the schools that hold this accreditation are given the highest marks.

PayScale Early Career Salary: This financial data is collected from the 2016-17 PayScale College Salary Report. The early-career salary data reports the median salary for recent alumni, from each school's master's or MBA program, that have 0-5 years of experience. This data is highlighted in this ranking because it is important for prospective students to explore the affect a degree can have on their salary and the possible financial ROI from a particular online MBA program. The highest early-career salary reported in this ranking is $109,000, the lowest rests at $60,016. Programs without a recorded early-career salary from PayScale was calculated at zero because of no available third-party data.

Prestige: The prestige for each program was calculated with ranking scores from some of the most prestigious educational rankings systems for online MBA programs, US News and World Report's Online MBA Ranking, the Princeton Review's Online MBA Ranking, the Financial Times' Global Online MBA Ranking, and Quacquarelli Symonds' Distance Online MBA Ranking. Schools were evaluated on how many rankings included their online MBA program.

Overall Graduation Rates: The overall graduation rate criteria was collected from the National Center for Education Statistics. This figure is used to reflect each school's student satisfaction. Graduation rates record how many students completed programs within a university. This data can be used to speculate if students receive enough value from their studies to motivated them to finish their degrees at a particular college or university. Programs without a recorded NCES graduation rate are calculated at zero because of no available third-party data.

All of the data for each five factors was weighted equally and then averaged. This average score provided the ranking order for this list. By evaluating the tuition cost, accreditation, early-career salary, prestige, and graduation rates, this ranking helps prospective students find the highest quality online MBA program available in the area of Accounting.