Key Information:
- Brigham Young University-Provo is the #1 school for an affordable accounting bachelor’s degree.
- All featured programs hold accreditation from reputable bodies like AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE, ensuring they meet high educational standards.
- These affordable programs prepare graduates for accounting careers and certifications such as CPA.
Managing your own money to afford a bachelor’s degree in accounting can be tough. The College Board reports that the average undergraduate accounting education costs $11,814 at public and $32,410 at private colleges each year. Expensive tuition shouldn’t scare you away from this in-demand business discipline though. Accountants play a gratify part in keeping organizations running profit for strong market performance. Accounting jobs are expected to grow by 11 percent, thus sparking nearly 142,500 openings before 2024. Investing in an accounting degree also pays off with an above-average mean salary of $75,280.
Bachelor’s programs provide the perfect springboard for accounting majors to pursue CPA status too. In this article, we’ll help you receive the best education for your budget by recognizing the Top 15 Cheapest Bachelor Degrees in Accounting. We began by searching the NCES College Navigator database for four-year, nonprofit colleges granting accounting majors. We filtered search results for a maximum average tuition of $10,000. Next, we checked each college for a specialized business accreditation (AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE). Accredited business schools were arranged based on their average in-state undergraduate tuition, and only the cheapest 15 were included. We prioritized affordable universities with excellent rankings, student-faculty ratio, retention rate, curricular standards, and experiential learning opportunities. We did all of this to bring you these: the
Top 15 Cheapest Bachelor Degrees in Accounting:
1. Brigham Young University — Provo
Affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Brigham Young University-Provo is the nation’s third largest public, nonprofit research institution educating over 29,600 students from its 560-acre suburban campus just 43 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah. As Money magazine’s fifth Best Value, Brigham Young University — Provo is ranked the 68th Best National University with the 32nd Top Undergrad Business Degrees by the U.S. News and World Report. Holding AACSB accreditation, the Marriott School of Management provides a B.S. Accountancy program. This upper-division major begins with the revolutionary “Junior Core,” a 24-credit intensive. BYU-Provo students also secure meaningful summer internships with companies like Intel, Honeywell, and Deloitte.
Annual Tuition: $5,150
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Brigham Young University here.
2. Harris-Stowe State University
Established in 1857 by St. Louis Public Schools, Harris-Stowe State University is a public, historically black TMCF member serving over 1,300 students from a 22-acre urban campus in Missouri’s second-largest city. Named the 14th Most Affordable Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Harris-Stowe confers the 47th Most Bachelor’s Degrees to African Americans according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The Anheuser-Busch School of Business maintains ACBSP accreditation for its 11 undergraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Accounting. This traditional, four-year degree sharpens students’ financial tools for smart money management decisions. B.S. majors are welcomed into the Accounting Students Association and Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.
Annual Tuition: $5,220
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Harris-Stowe State University here.
3. University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Reaching record-high enrollment of 6,050, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a fast-growing public, state-funded institution occupying a main 644-acre urban campus in Odessa and extension center in Midland. Graded A- for value on Niche, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is ranked the West’s 93rd Best Regional College and 37th Top Public School by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Business & Engineering holds prestigious AACSB accreditation for its BBA in Accountancy. This 120-credit program develops the qualitative skills for astute problem-solving in money-related business functions. UTPB partners with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners to fulfill CFE credentialing requirements.
Annual Tuition: $5,250
4. Mississippi Valley State University
Belonging to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Mississippi Valley State University is a public, historically black institution established in 1950 that’s enrolling over 2,500 students upon its 450-acre rural campus in Leflore County near the Yazoo River. With a freshman retention rate of 66 percent, Mississippi Valley State University is ranked the nation’s 44th Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities by the U.S. News and World Report. The ACBSP-accredited Department of Business Administration awards a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting. Linked to the Mississippi Society of CPAs, the 124-credit program features affordable courses in corporate finance, tax planning, governmental accounting, and more. Learning occurs in a renovated, $10.6‑million facility with two computer labs.
Annual Tuition: $5,936
5. Delta State University
Located on a 332-acre rural campus in Cleveland upon the Mississippi Delta since 1924, Delta State University is a public, co-educational higher learning institution with over 3,300 students studying 40+ majors. Graded B+ for diversity on Niche, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Delta State University as the South’s 80th Top Regional College with the 16th Best Student Engagement. Reaffirmed by the ACBSP in 2016, the College of Business grants a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with an Accountancy Major. Non-traditional students can complete the 124-credit program via evening or online courses. Flexibility reigns supreme for mastering content like fund accounting, auditing, financial statement analysis, and taxation.
Annual Tuition: $6,112
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Delta State University here.
6. Dickinson State University
Founded in 1918, Dickinson State University is a four-year public, regional institution in the North Dakota University System that’s training over 1,300 students to “Go Forth and Serve” from its 110-acre urban campus just 90 minutes west of Bismarck. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Dickinson State is the Midwest’s 43rd Best College and fourth Top Public School. The IACBE-accredited Department of Business and Management offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. This affordable, 121-credit degree follows a Corporate Track or Professional Track for personalized finance career goals. The M‑PBEA Chapter selected the CPA Experience as its 2016 “Business Education Program of the Year.”
Annual Tuition: $6,172
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Dickinson State University here.
7. Alcorn State University
Ideally positioned off southwestern Mississippi’s Highway 61 on a 1,700-acre rural campus in Lorman, Alcorn State University is the oldest public, historically black land-grant institution that’s grown since 1871 to educate over 3,700 students. As the United States’ 24th Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Alcorn State is crowned the 89th Best Southern College and 35th Top Public University by the U.S. News and World Report. The ACBSP-accredited School of Business provides a Bachelor of Science in Accounting to fulfill CPA exam prerequisites. The 120-credit program teaches the functional areas of business for entry-level accountancy jobs in the global market. Alcorn State regularly sends students to the Enactus Fall Training Conference too.
Annual Tuition: $6,386
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Alcorn State University here.
8. Minot State University
Classified as a Carnegie Master’s M1 institution for the public North Dakota University System, Minot State University enrolls more than 3,400 students upon its 102-acre urban campus in “Little Chicago.” As a top choice for Canadians, Minot State is America’s third most affordable out-of-state university according to BestColleges.com. The U.S. News and World Report lauded Minot State for the 191st Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. Within the IACBE-accredited College of Business, undergraduates may pursue the Bachelor of Science in Accounting face-to-face. The 120-credit degree path guides aspiring CPAs and CMAs toward providing financial services. The Slaaten Learning Center offers a cutting-edge trading lab and corporate-style boardroom for practice.
Annual Tuition: $6,390
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Minot State University here.
9. West Texas A&M University
Originally called the West Texas State Normal College in 1910, West Texas A&M University has blossomed into a comprehensive public institution with 9,400 students engaging on its 176-acre suburban campus in Canyon on the Texas Panhandle. The U.S. News and World Report picked West Texas A&M University as the West’s 91st Best College and 35th Top Public University. With AACSB accreditation, the College of Business confers an Accounting B.B.A. to build the analytical foundation for preparing and verifying financial reports. The 120-credit program offers valuable opportunities like joining Beta Alpha Psi, studying abroad in Denmark, and interning with the FDIC. Graduates achieve an average yearly salary of $65,780 for excellent ROI.
Annual Tuition: $7,041
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at West Texas A&M University here.
10. Bellevue University
Following the motto “Real Learning for Real Life,” Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit distance learning institution opened in 1966 that’s educating over 10,300 nationally from its suburban headquarters in Nebraska’s Omaha-Council Bluffs Metro. Named among Washington Monthly’s “Top 10 Universities for Adult Learners,” Bellevue has the 72nd Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees according to the U.S. News and World Report. The IACBE-accredited Business, Management, & Leadership Division offers an Online B.S. in Accounting. The 72-credit major develops upon a business core and the Kirkpatrick Signature Series for CPA prep. Coursework ranges from income tax to management science. Active military reap a tuition discount of $250 per credit.
Annual Tuition: $7,050
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Bellevue University here.
11. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Endowed for $46 million, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public, multi-site teaching institution enrolling over 28,500 students, primarily Hispanic, upon a 550-acre urban campus in Edinburgh and satellites from Brownsville to McAllen. Forbes magazine picked the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as the South’s 126th Best College and America’s 183 Top Public University. The AACSB-accredited Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship offers an affordable BBA in Accounting. This 120-credit program uses personalized, bilingual mentorship for hands-on learning in financial accounting, taxation, cost analysis, and auditing. Majors can also join the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Student Chapter.
Annual Tuition: $7,292
12. Midwestern State University
As a Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) member, Midwestern State University is Texas’ only public, co-educational liberal arts institution offering 43 majors to over 6,100 students from its urban campus in Wichita Falls near Sheppard Air Force Base. Graded B+ for campus housing on Niche, Midwestern State University is the West’s 82nd Best Regional University and 28th Top Public School according to the U.S. News and World Report. Approved by the AACSB International, the Dillard College of Business Administration awards a BBA with a Major in Accounting. The eight-semester, 120-credit program trains accountants for assisting in business strategy development. Undergraduates benefit from the Streich Family Lecture Series, British Studies Program in London, and MWSU Accounting Society.
Annual Tuition: $8,005
13. Columbia College
Historically affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, Columbia College is a private, nonsectarian liberal arts institution enlightening over 2,100 undergraduates from its 231-acre urban campus in Missouri’s fourth-largest city. Named a “Best Buy” on GetEducated.com, Columbia is ranked the Midwest’s 160th top school and America’s 393rd best private college by Forbes magazine. Earning ACSBP accreditation, the Business Administration Department awards a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) for Accounting. This 18-credit major specializes the broad business core with financial decision-making skills. Undergraduates can join the Sigma Beta Delta chapter, compete on the Collegiate DECA team, and venture with the Fishman Center for Entrepreneurship.
Annual Tuition: $8,240
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Columbia College here.
14. Youngstown State University
Standing proudly atop a 175-acre urban campus in Ohio’s Mahoning County just 61 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Youngstown State University is a public, co-educational research institution carrying a $226 million endowment to educate over 15,400 Penguins. Washington Monthly picked Youngstown State University as America’s 159th Best Master’s-Level University for Social Mobility. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the AACSB-accredited Williamson College of Business Administration has the 372nd Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Business. For instance, the BSBA in Accounting has placed alumni with the IRS, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Progressive Insurance, and more. The 120-credit curriculum teaches the fundamentals of economic transactions for entry-level accountancy employment.
Annual Tuition: $8,317
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Youngstown State University here.
15. Bemidji State University
Opened in 1919 with an inaugural class of 38, Bemidji State University has rapidly grown into an accredited public, state teaching institution with over 6,300 students studying on its 89-acre rural campus in northwest Minnesota on Lake Bemidji and online. Noted for the third cheapest out-of-state tuition, Bemidji State is ranked the Midwest’s 115th Best College and 35th Top Public School by the U.S. News and World Report. In particular, Bemidji State University awards the country’s 187th Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees, such as the B.S. in Accounting. The IACBE-accredited College of Business administers this 71-unit degree completion program for transfers to graduate in two years. Asynchronous online courses can be specialized with the Fraud Examination Minor.
Annual Tuition: $8,366
Learn more about Bachelor Degrees in Accounting at Bemidji State University here.
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