Affordable Online Accounting Degrees

Accountants solve complex problems for individuals, companies, public organizations, and even crime-solving agencies. An accounting degree can be your pathway into a stable career with growth opportunities as an accountant, financial analyst, or auditor. It could also be an important step toward pursuing a graduate degree.

The average annual tuition at four-year public institutions for the 2022 to 2023 academic year was $9,800, according to the National Council for Education Statistics (NCES). Many of the cheapest online accounting degrees are close to or below that average. Find them below.

We have compiled a list of top institutions offering this degree program, ranked from least to most expensive. Use the table below to compare the average net price for these institutions.

The average annual tuition and required fees for the eight schools listed above, which offer some of the cheapest online accounting degrees, is about $11,000 per year.

However, the cost of an online accounting degree can vary widely depending on the type of institution and whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student. Online programs may have fewer fees or cost less than on-campus programs, potentially helping you to save more.

To make an accounting degree more affordable, you can attend a low-cost community college for two years before transferring to an in-state university to complete your bachelor’s degree. Applying for scholarships, grants, and work-study programs can also help reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs. Here are other funding options:

The FAFSA is a simple application that can give you access to federal, state, and college-funded student aid. Nearly all two- and four-year colleges and universities use the FAFSA to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible for.

You can fill out the FAFSA form each year to access loans, grants, work-study funds, and scholarships.

Scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce the cost of college, especially since you can usually win and combine more than one scholarship. In addition to general scholarships, you can look for scholarships for business or accounting students.

There are also many scholarships specifically for women, students of color, or other specialized or underrepresented groups, potentially broadening your scholarship opportunities.

Like scholarships, grants give you access to funds for college or a specific purpose. You can find grants that cover tuition, living expenses while at college, or a study abroad or summer travel program.

Grants are available through government entities, foundations, corporations, individuals, and other organizations. While scholarships tend to be merit-based awards, grants are often awarded based on financial need.

Loans can be considered as a last resort after you’ve exhausted other free financial aid options. If you can’t cover tuition with scholarships and grants, loans can help you make up the difference.

Unlike scholarships or grants, which usually don’t need to be repaid, you’ll need to repay any student loans after graduation. However, federal student loans typically have lower interest rates than other loans, and you could qualify for a payment deferment period.

An accredited degree from a well-recognized university can open professional doors after graduation. Many employers and most graduate schools require accredited degrees. Look for institutional accreditation to signify that the curriculum meets national academic standards.

You may also want to prioritize accounting degrees that hold programmatic accreditation from one of the following agencies:

An online accounting degree can help open new career opportunities or showcase your qualifications. Work as an accountant is in high demand, with 1.56 million accountants in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting faster-than-average job growth for accountants and auditors from 2023-2033. Here are more reasons to choose an online accounting degree:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earned a median annual salary of $79,880 in 2023. Accountants can work for public accounting firms, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. Additionally, there is a consistent demand for new professionals in accounting.

With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you can begin your career in an entry-level position and work your way up to more senior roles. Alternatively, you can tailor your studies to a particular area of accounting, such as forensic accounting, tax accounting, auditing, or managerial accounting.

A bachelor’s degree can also be the first step toward becoming licensed as a certified public accountant (CPA).

Accounting is a profession that’s in demand. Businesses of all sizes require accounting professionals for routine bookkeeping, auditing, and tax preparation.

It’s a nearly recession-proof career since businesses still require accounting services, even if revenue is down. From 2023 to 2033, the BLS predicts 6% growth in accounting jobs, adding 91,400 new positions, so there should be opportunities for new graduates.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting can lead to higher-paying positions, leadership roles, or opportunities to work as a CPA or chartered financial analyst. In September 2023, Payscale reported that people with a BS in accounting earned an average salary of $81,000 annually.

Earning a graduate degree in accounting can set you up to become a forensic accountant, corporate controller, compliance risk manager, or chief financial officer. You can also use your degree to help meet the requirements to become licensed as a CPA.

Your school can also serve as a professional networking hub, which can be advantageous when launching your career. Online classes, small groups, and on-campus events are great ways to meet other new professionals or recruiters for companies and accounting firms.