Guide to Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Programs
Key Takeaways
- Several of the cheapest accounting programs boast total tuition costs under $48,000.
- Accredited programs prepare graduates for CPA and other accounting jobs.
- Students can reduce out-of-pocket costs by completing the FAFSA, applying for scholarships, or starting their degree at a community college and then transferring to a four-year institution.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting can help you qualify for in-demand careers. An affordable online accounting degree can compound this benefit by saving you money and allowing you to earn your degree on your own schedule.
This degree guide examines bachelor’s in accounting programs through a cost-focused lens and highlights more than a dozen accredited programs noted for affordability. Use our guide to advance your program research and connect with opportunities to save money on your education.
How Much Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting?
Average Annual Tuition of an Online Bachelor’s in Business
$12,081
Public
$15,045
Private Nonprofit
Note: The above averages are based on 2019-2020 tuition and fees for full-time online bachelor’s students studying business, management, or marketing.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average annual full-time tuition for an online bachelor’s in business is $12,132, which amounts to over $48,000 after four years of study. However, the exact cost of an accounting program varies depending on the institution type, with private nonprofit universities charging, on average, thousands more per year than public schools.
Whether an accounting program is offered online or in person can also affect its affordability. According to NCES, campus-based bachelor’s in business programs at private nonprofits charge more than double the tuition of online programs ($33,188 vs. $15,045).
To get the best deal on your accounting program, prioritize attending a public college or university online.
Explore Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees
Below is a selection of nonprofit schools that offer accredited online bachelor’s in accounting programs at affordable rates, with total tuition costs under $48,000.
Use the table below to compare estimated program costs, degrees offered, and accreditation.
| School | Estimated Program Cost* | Degree Type | Programmatic Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens State University | $32,612 | Bachelor of Science | ACBSP |
| Clayton State University | $23,880 | Bachelor of Business Administration | AACSB |
| Colorado State University Global | $45,000 | Bachelor of Science | ACBSP |
| Dickinson State University | $31,080 | Bachelor of Business Administration | IACBE |
| Eastern New Mexico University | $20,970 (in state), $30,870 (out of state) | Bachelor of Business Administration | ACBSP |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | $23,880 | Bachelor of Business Administration | AACSB |
| Pennsylvania Western University | $31,976 (in state), $32,616 (out of state) | Bachelor of Science | ACBSP |
| Southern Utah University | $36,840 | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science | AACSB |
| University of Arkansas | $32,370 | Bachelor of Science | AACSB |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | $5,000 (in state), $25,000 (out of state) | Bachelor of Science | AACSB |
| University of Texas Permian Basin | $43,481 | Bachelor of Business Administration | AACSB/td> |
| Western Governors University | $32,240 | Bachelor of Science | ACBSP |
| Wichita State University | $31,170 | Bachelor of Business Administration | AACSB |
Who accredits business schools?
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB): This prestigious organization accredits elite business programs in the United States and internationally. It emphasizes intellectual leadership, educational innovation, and social impact.
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): Established in 1988, ACBSP was the first accrediting organization to endorse business programs at all levels. It evaluates schools according to the Baldrige Excellence Framework of educational quality.
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE): This globally focused, mission-driven organization takes an outcomes-based approach to higher education accreditation. It currently accredits over 2,000 programs at top business schools worldwide.
How to Make Your Accounting Degree Affordable
In addition to choosing a school noted for affordability, you can also control or reduce your education costs in several other ways. Key examples include:
- Using transfer credit policies to your advantage
- Securing non-repayable financial aid
- Getting help from your employer
Explore these strategies in further detail:
Take advantage of transfer credit policies.
If you have completed college courses at an accredited institution or hold an associate degree, you can likely transfer at least some of your credits into your new accounting program. This can save you money by reducing the number of credits you need to earn — and pay for — in order to graduate.
Academic credits covering general education requirements transfer the most readily. However, you may also transfer some coursework toward your core or elective courses if the material your previous classes covered closely matches that in your new program.
Some schools also recognize other sources of transfer credits, including:
- Work experience
- Professional certifications
- Military training
For these types of credit transfers, you may need to complete assessment exams as part of a broader prior learning assessment process.
Consult each school’s transfer credit policies before you apply. In some cases, you may be eligible to transfer in up to three-quarters of your total credit requirements.
Apply for scholarships and grants.
Scholarships and grants are widely considered the best forms of financial aid because they reduce your costs without creating debt. These and other non-repayable aid sources, such as fellowships and tuition waivers, are typically awarded based on need or merit.
To start, check with your school’s financial aid office to see what kind of in-house scholarship and grant programs it offers. Then, expand your search to include programs from:
- Federal, state, and local governments
- Professional, cultural, and alumni associations
- Corporate sponsors
- Religious institutions
- Nonprofit groups and private foundations
You can also seek national scholarship opportunities from organizations like the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the National Society of Accountants, among others.
Get your employer to pay for your degree.
Some employers offer financial assistance to employees pursuing further education. These programs usually take the form of tuition assistance or reimbursement.
Tuition assistance provides direct help with your schooling costs: Your employer will pay a specified percentage or amount of your total tuition fees.
Tuition reimbursement functions similarly, except that you will need to meet your costs up front and have your employer pay back a specified amount when you satisfy the conditions of your agreement. For example, you may only qualify for reimbursement once you graduate, or if you maintain a certain GPA.
While employer-based aid can be very helpful, certain considerations apply. First, you will usually need formal pre-approval from your direct supervisor, your human resources department, or someone else in management.
Second, your employer may stipulate that you must remain with the company for a certain period after you graduate. They may also delay reimbursement until you fulfill such requirements.
