30 Most Affordable Master’s in Accounting Online: Private Colleges in 2021

Brenau University's master's in accounting online degree program consists of an MBA in accounting. Also, there are two concentration options so that students may tailor their accounting MBA toward specific areas of interest. These concentrations include management accounting and public accounting. Courses are delivered online and taught by Brenau instructors. These classes include advanced accounting, advanced auditing and assurance services, business law, financial statement and business analysis, fraud detection and internal control, and taxation. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor's from an accredited college or university with a satisfactory undergraduate GPA. U.S. News and World Report ranks Brenau as the 57th best regional university in the South and 41st best value school. Also, the online MBA programs have earned recognition.

California Baptist University offers one of the cheapest online accounting degree programs on our list. The master's in accounting is ACBSP-accredited and ideal for those interested in becoming licensed CPAs in the state of California. The program offers 30 credits with classes that may be completed entirely online. These courses include advanced accounting information systems, advanced business law for accountants, advanced topics in financial accounting, contemporary issues in auditing and assurance, ethics and professional responsibilities for CPAs, and taxation and business entities. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank the school as a top regional university in the West and best value school. Also, the online graduate accounting programs are ranked #73 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Baker College offers an online MBA in accounting designed for students seeking a master's in accounting online degree program. This advanced business degree is designed to offer coursework that prepares students for careers in financial management and accounting. Classes are delivered online and include accounting for the contemporary manager, financial accounting, global accounting, non-profit accounting, research and statistics for managers, and taxation. Students enrolling in the program must have a minimum of nine semester hours of undergraduate accounting. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank Baker College as a top regional college in the Midwest. The school is also accredited and one of the most affordable on our list.

Averett University's online accounting programs, such as the online MSA degree, is designed to prepare students for careers in public and private accounting industries or teaching. The program is also structured to help graduates maintain successful pass rates on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam. Thirty credit hours are required with three to four courses offered on a rotational semester basis. Classes are delivered entirely online and taught by the same professors and instructors who teach on campus. The admission committee considers several factors, including an undergraduate accounting degree from a regionally accredited college or university, a cumulative GPA, GMAT scores, professional work experience, and letters of recommendation. U.S. News and World Report ranks Averett as the 17th best regional college in the South and 9th best value school.

Davenport University's online master of accountancy degree is an online program that provides foundational courses needed to prepare students for professional accounting certification exams. Classes are delivered entirely online and taught by university professors. Several specialization areas add to the convenience of the program and allow students to tailor their degree to meet career goals. These specialization areas include finance, fraud examiner, internal auditor, managerial accountant, and professional accountant. Some of the required core courses include accounting and financial analytics, accounting information systems, and accounting research and communication. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank the school as the 122nd best regional university in the Midwest.

New England College offers one of the top online master's in accounting programs on our list. The program is designed for busy professionals with the desire to prepare for certification exams (CFE, CIA, CMA, or CPA). All classes are delivered online, and there is no residency requirement. Students gain access to coursework 24/7 and may complete their degree in less than two years. Rolling admission adds to the convenience of the program and allows students to enter every seven weeks throughout the year. While admission requires an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, GRE or GMAT scores are not required. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as a top regional university in the North. Also, the online graduate business programs, including accounting, are ranked #80 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

One of the cheapest online accounting degree programs on our list is the online MBA with accounting emphasis offered by City University of Seattle. The program offers flexible learning options that allow students to take online classes at times that are convenient. Twelve credits in the accounting emphasis must be completed to earn an MBA in accounting. These accounting classes serve as foundational review courses for those interested in sitting for the CPA exam. Classes include auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, and regulation. An accounting internship is also part of the program. Admission requires applicants hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, although GMAT scores are not necessary. U.S. News and World Report recognizes City University as a top regional university in the West. Also, the online MBA programs are ranked #171 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

Champlain College offers an accredited online master of accountancy degree program that can be completed 100% online. The program is designed with the working student in mind and offers flexible classes. The program may be completed in ten to twenty months, depending on student pace. Also, several optional specializations allow students to tailor their degree toward areas of interest or to meet career goals. These specializations include advanced management, healthcare administration, HR management, leadership, or positive organization development. The classes are also ideal for those interested in sitting for the Uniform CPA certification exam to become a licensed CPA. U.S. News and World Report ranks Champlain as a top regional university in the North and a best value school.

One of the more affordable online master's in accounting programs on our list is offered by Maryville University. This flexible, industry-relevant program offers preparation to those interested in sitting for the CPA examination. In fact, CPA courses are offered along with the core accounting classes. These CPA-designated courses include advanced auditing, advanced business environment and concepts, and advanced financial accounting and regulation. Admission requirements do not include GRE or GMAT test scores. There are also no residency requirements, and study is 100% online. This uniquely designed accounting program may be completed in as little as ten months. U.S. News and World Report ranks Maryville as a top national university, and its graduate business programs are listed alongside top tier schools.

Franklin University's online accounting programs include the master's in accounting–a graduate program designed to prepare students to become career accountants. The program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and can be completed in just 17 months. Curriculum covers courses in advanced auditing and data mining, enterprise resource planning, enterprise risk management, financial accounting reporting, forensic accounting, and taxation. Students enrolled in the program also gain access to professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Management Accountants. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank Franklin as the 26th best regional college in the North.

Keystone College offers an accredited online master of accountancy program designed for those with the goal of sitting for the CPA examination. To be admitted to the program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with an overall GPA of 3.0. GMAT test scores are also required for students with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.4. All classes are delivered online and taught by Keystone instructors. These classes include advanced auditing, corporate and partnership taxation, corporate law and regulations, government and fund accounting, and international accounting. U.S. News and World Report ranks Keystone as a top regional college in the North in the most recent edition of Best Colleges.

Florida Institute of Technology offers one of the most affordable master's in accounting online degree programs. The online MBA with a specialization in accounting offers classes designed for working students who want to earn credits toward state requirements to take the CPA examination. Classes are taught by Florida Tech instructors and delivered entirely online. These courses include advanced problems and current topics in accounting, governmental and nonprofit accounting, international accounting and reporting, and strategic cost management. Admission does not require GRE or GMAT test scores. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank the school as a top national institution. Also, the online MBA programs are ranked #119 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

Edgewood College offers one of the cheapest online accounting degree graduate programs on our list. The MS in accountancy degree provides the foundation to become a CPA in public accounting firms. The program offers flexible, online classes and the option of completing an accounting master's degree in two to three years if enrolled part-time. Full-time enrollment options are also available. Full-time students generally take one year to complete their degree. All classes are delivered online and include advanced accounting, cost accounting, fraud and forensic accounting, government and not-for-profit accounting, income tax accounting, and strategic financial management. Edgewood is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top national institution.

Golden Gate University offers an accredited master's in accounting online degree program that is designed for those interested in pursuing certification as a public accountant (CPA) or management accountant (CMA). Classes may be completed entirely online and are self-paced. Completion time for the program is anywhere between two and four years depending on course load. All courses are taught by university instructors and include advanced issues in financial accounting, fraud auditing, and tax research and decision-making. There are also several concentrations offered so that students may tailor their degree in areas like financial accounting and reporting, forensic accounting, internal auditing, management accounting, and taxation. Admission requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, an accredited bachelor's degree, and completed application, but no GMAT or GRE test scores. U.S. News and World Report recognizes Golden Gate University as a top regional university in the West.

Benedictine University offers online accounting programs, such as the online MBA in accounting. This 100% online degree allows students to earn an MBA degree while taking additional classes in an accounting concentration. Courses are delivered online and include corporate accounting theory and practice, ethics and leadership in a global environment, managerial accounting, managerial economics, operations management, and strategic management. Applications for admission are received on a rolling basis throughout the year so that students may jump into the program at times that are convenient to their schedules. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as a top national university. The school is also accredited and offers one of the most affordable programs on our list.

One of the most affordable online accounting programs on our list is the online master's in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. The program is fully online and offers four concentrations so that students may tailor their degree toward an area of interest or to satisfy career goals. These concentrations include auditing, forensic accounting, management accounting, and taxation. Courses are taught by experienced instructors with real world experience. These courses include advanced topics in financial reporting, corporate financial management, international accounting, managing through communication, and situational ethics in accounting. There is no GMAT or GRE test requirement for admission. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 86th best regional university in the North and the #1 most innovative school.

Lincoln Memorial University offers an accredited online master's in accounting designed as an MBA with a concentration in accounting. This 36-credit hour program can be completed entirely online and is ideally structured for working students and professionals with daytime obligations. The online professors are the same ones teaching in the classroom at Lincoln Memorial. Some of the required courses include accounting and decision-making, business ethics and social responsibility, economics for decision-making, operations management and quantitative analysis, and organizational behavior. Lincoln Memorial is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 80th best regional university in the South.

Albertus Magnus College's master's in accounting online degree program is a graduate professional degree designed with working students in mind. The 30-credit program prepares students to enter the field of accounting as a professional. Also, the program serves to satisfy the 150 credit hours required by most states for CPA certification. Small classes move at an accelerated pace, with most running eight weeks in length. Some of the required courses include accounting information systems, ethics for accounting professionals, financial statement analysis, governmental and nonprofit accounting, organizational behavior, principles of project management, and survey of operations management. Admission requires applicants have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum 3.0 GPA. U.S. News and World Report ranks Albertus as the 116th best regional university in the North.

Bay Path University's master's in accounting online degree program is open to working students interested in public, private, and forensic accounting tracks. Depending on transfer credit, it is possible to complete the degree in just eight months. Classes are delivered entirely online and start every July, September, November, April, and May. Some of the required courses include advanced auditing, advanced financial reporting, government and nonprofit accounting, IT for accountants, and legal issues in accounting. Admission requirements to the program include a completed application, undergraduate and graduate transcripts with a 3.0 GPA preferred, a current resume, and two recommendation letters. U.S. News and World Report ranks Bay Path as the 102nd best regional university in the North.

Western New England University's online master's in accounting degree program is a fast paced degree that can be completed in just 10 months. Accelerated and part-time evening options are available, and classes are taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. Some of the required courses include accounting theory and contemporary issues, advanced topics in auditing and assurance services, cost-based decision-making, fundamentals of corporate and partnership tax, and managerial finance. Admission requires an undergraduate degree, but not necessarily in accounting. A series of eight undergraduate foundational courses are required. Also, the GMAT or GRE is required for admission. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank the school as the 64th best regional university in the North and 38th best value school.