Top Online Accounting Degree AACSB Accredited Colleges
If you want an online accounting degree that employers and CPA boards take seriously, choose one from an AACSB-accredited business school. Strong, fully online options include Penn State World Campus, Arizona State University, Auburn University, Old Dominion University, UMass Dartmouth, and the University of Illinois (graduate). AACSB accreditation is held by only about 6% of business schools worldwide, so it signals real academic rigour and smooths the path to CPA licensure.
This guide explains what AACSB accreditation is, why it matters for your career and CPA eligibility, and lists verified AACSB-accredited online accounting programmes at the bachelor’s and master’s level. Tuition figures are approximate and current to June 2026 — always confirm directly with the school before you apply, because rates change every academic year.
What Is AACSB Accreditation?
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the oldest and most selective accrediting body for business and accounting programmes. As of February 2026, AACSB had accredited 1,072 institutions across 70 countries and territories, with 195 of those holding the separate, tougher AACSB accounting accreditation (AACSB, February 2026). Only about 6% of business schools worldwide carry the seal.
Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process. AACSB examines a school’s mission, faculty qualifications, curriculum, student outcomes, and continuous-improvement record, then re-reviews accredited schools on a multi-year cycle. The accounting accreditation is an extra layer that a school earns on top of business accreditation, signalling depth in accounting-specific teaching and research.
Founded in 1916 by a group of US universities, AACSB set out to build a common quality standard for business education. Its network now spans the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Why AACSB Accreditation Matters for Accounting Students
For anyone planning to sit the US CPA exam — or to work for a multinational firm from Nigeria or elsewhere — the accreditation does real work:
- CPA eligibility: Most US state boards accept credits from AACSB-accredited (or otherwise regionally accredited) schools toward the 150-hour CPA education requirement.
- Employer recognition: The Big Four and most large employers screen for accredited degrees; AACSB is the name they know.
- Credit transferability: Credits from an AACSB school are more readily accepted if you transfer or pursue a master’s later.
- Quality assurance: Periodic re-review means the curriculum stays current with practice, not frozen at the date you enrolled.
One caution that trips up international students: “online” does not always mean 100% remote. A few state CPA pathways still require some in-person credit hours, and some programmes ask for short on-campus immersions. Confirm the delivery format and your target state’s CPA rules before enrolling.
Top AACSB-Accredited Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Programs
Each programme below is offered online by an AACSB-accredited business school. Tuition is approximate per-credit or total cost as of June 2026; verify with the school.
| University | Program | Delivery | Approx. tuition (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State World Campus | B.S. in Accounting | Fully online, asynchronous | ~$632/credit; confirm current rate |
| Arizona State University (ASU Online) | B.S. in Accountancy | Fully online | ~$561–$661/credit |
| Auburn University (Harbert) | BSBA Accountancy / online second degree | Online, ~30 hours for second degree | ~$600–$700/credit |
| Old Dominion University | B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting | Online (same faculty as on-campus) | ~$400–$465/credit |
| UMass Dartmouth (Charlton) | B.S. in Accounting | Online | ~$1,500 per 3-credit course |
| University of Arkansas (Walton) | BSBA in Accounting | Online | ~$295/credit (online rate) |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) | B.S. in Accounting | Fully online | ~$440/credit |
Penn State World Campus
Penn State’s online B.S. in Accounting runs through the Harrisburg School of Business Administration, which holds both AACSB business and accounting accreditation. The degree is fully asynchronous and built to support CPA preparation. Programme page: worldcampus.psu.edu.
Arizona State University (ASU Online)
ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business offers an AACSB-accredited online B.S. in Accountancy with concentrations such as taxation and financial accounting. It is a strong CPA-track option with flexible start dates. Programme page: asuonline.asu.edu.
Auburn University
Auburn’s Harbert College of Business runs an online BSBA in Accountancy aimed partly at career-changers who already hold a degree, completable in around 30 semester hours. Programme page: harbert.auburn.edu.
Old Dominion University
ODU delivers its online accounting bachelor’s with the same faculty and curriculum as its Norfolk, Virginia campus, and is known for flexible, work-friendly scheduling. Programme page: online.odu.edu.
UMass Dartmouth and University of Arkansas
The UMassD Charlton School of Business and Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business both hold AACSB accreditation and run online accounting bachelor’s programmes; Arkansas’ online rate is one of the lower per-credit prices on this list. See umassd.edu and online.uark.edu.
Top AACSB-Accredited Online Master’s in Accounting Programs
A master’s helps you clear the 150-credit CPA requirement and deepen specialisation. These AACSB-accredited online options are widely regarded.
| University | Degree | Approx. total tuition (June 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | iMSA (M.S. in Accountancy) | ~$22,628–$28,928 total | $904/credit for accounting courses, Fall 2026; pay-as-you-go |
| UNC Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) | Master of Accounting (MAC) | ~$1,446/credit (2025/26); ~$43k–$69k total | No GMAT/GRE; one in-person leadership immersion |
| Auburn University (Harbert) | Master of Accountancy (MAcc) | ~$28,500–$39,900 total | Online with optional residency |
| University of Colorado Denver | M.S. in Accounting | Confirm with school | Fully online; open to non-accounting undergrads |
| Florida Atlantic University | MAcc / MTax / M.S. Accounting | Confirm with school | Multiple online graduate pathways |
University of Illinois (iMSA)
The Gies College of Business iMSA is fully online and delivered partly via Coursera. Accounting courses are priced at $904 per credit hour effective Fall 2026, with total tuition of roughly $22,628 to $28,928 depending on electives, and you pay only for the courses you take each term (onlinemsa.illinois.edu).
UNC Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
UNC’s online MAC requires no GMAT or GRE and includes one in-person leadership immersion. Tuition was about $1,446 per credit hour for 2025/26, with the credit count (and therefore total cost) depending on your prior accounting coursework (kenan-flagler.unc.edu).
How to Choose the Right Online Accounting Program
Weigh these factors before you commit:
- Accreditation: Confirm AACSB status on the school’s site and the AACSB accredited-schools directory.
- CPA pathway: Match the curriculum to the 150-hour rule and your target US state board’s requirements.
- Delivery format: Check whether it is fully online or requires on-campus hours or immersions.
- Total cost: Compare per-credit tuition and fees, and ask about scholarships or pay-as-you-go terms.
- Support: Look for advising, career services, and technical support for remote students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an AACSB-accredited online accounting degree worth it?
Yes. AACSB is the most recognised business-school accreditation, held by only about 6% of business schools worldwide. A degree from an AACSB school carries weight with employers and CPA boards, and the online format saves cost and commute time without sacrificing that credibility.
How many schools have AACSB accounting accreditation?
As of February 2026, 195 institutions held the specialised AACSB accounting accreditation, out of 1,072 AACSB-accredited business schools across 70 countries (AACSB).
Can an online accounting degree qualify me for the CPA exam?
It can, but eligibility is set by individual US state boards, most of which require 150 credit hours and specific accounting and business coursework. Some states also require a portion of credits earned in particular ways, so verify your target state’s rules before enrolling.
Are these online accounting programs 100% remote?
Most are fully online, but a few include short on-campus immersions (for example, UNC’s MAC) or require some in-person credit hours to satisfy a state’s CPA rules. Always confirm the delivery format with the school.
How much does an online accounting degree cost?
Bachelor’s programmes on this list run roughly $295 to $700 per credit hour; online master’s programmes range from about $22,600 (Illinois iMSA) to $69,000 total (UNC MAC). All figures are approximate as of June 2026 — confirm current tuition with each school.
Related Reading
- Accounting online programs: a fuller guide
- Accelerated accounting degrees
- University of Phoenix accounting degree review
- CPA exams: what to expect
- Becoming a chartered accountant without an accounting degree
An accounting degree opens doors well beyond bookkeeping — into audit, tax, forensic accounting, and financial advisory. Pick an AACSB-accredited programme that fits your budget, your CPA goals, and your schedule, and confirm the current tuition and delivery format with the school before you apply.