Clicky

The 20 Most Affordable Online Accounting MBA Degree Programs

MBA degrees are the most popular degree for a reason: practicality and proven results. While some businesses claim to only care about Ivy League-level MBAs, the truth is that while not all MBAs are equal, they all teach essentially the same rigorous curriculum (as accredited by the AACSB, IACBE, or another respected accrediting body).

To that end, many students are choosing smaller, more affordable MBA programs. Online MBA enrollment has jumped in recent years for its combination of flexibility, convenience, and low-price tag, and most online tracks offer a variety of specializations and concentrations, from Strategic Management to Finance. For your convenience, we’ve highlighted the ever-popular Accounting track——a great option whether you’re pursuing a CPA or managerial position. Common features include accelerated options, multiple delivery methods, and full- and part-time enrollment for working professionals. All are tops for overall value and affordability (and note that many online programs offer in-state tuition regardless of where you live!). Keep reading to find the right online MBA in Accounting for your budget!

1) New Mexico Highlands University

Founded in 1893, New Mexico Highlands University is a public institution with a total enrollment of about 3,100, split evenly between undergraduates and graduate students. Ranked as a Tier 2 national university by US News, NMHU’s 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio means small classes, personalized instruction, and opportunities for collaborative and hands-on experiential learning. Most important, New Mexico is among the most affordable schools in the country. Students graduate with $4,000 less debt than students at other public universities in the state — half graduate with zero debt. More than three-quarters of students qualify for needs-based grants, and most students receive some form of financial aid.

New Mexico Highlands University offers a 37-credit online MBA built for affordability and tailored to fit the demands of the modern business world. In addition to an accounting concentration, students can pursue studies in finance, international business, management, management information systems, and human resource management, and all coursework is designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students. With a wide-ranging, in-depth curriculum, NMHU’s program prepare students for careers in business, nonprofits, and the public sector. Graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Intel, Nike, Microsoft, Merrill-Lynch, KPMG, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The MBA is accredited by the ACBSP.

2) Southern Adventist University

Founded in 1892, Southern Adventist University is a private institution with a total enrollment just over 3,000. US News ranks Southern Adventist among the best colleges in the region and highlights the university’s affordability and military support services. The 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters a vibrant, tight-knit learning community, combining tailored instruction, hands-on opportunities, and collaborative education. Over 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Additional student services include career and academic counseling, employment and placement services, and weekend and evening classes.

Southern Adventist’s affordable MBA consists of 36 credits. Major requirements include Accounting for Control and Decision Making, Organizational Behavior, Marketing Management, Leadership and Change, and Strategic Decision Making. From there, students pursue an emphasis in Accounting with three core courses and tailor the degree through a variety of electives. For maximum flexibility, courses are designed to accommodate working professionals and adult learners, and there are multiple entry dates per year. Other emphases are available in Healthcare Administration, Finance, Management, Marketing Management, and a customized plan. Applicants should have earned at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and must submit GMAT scores earned within the last five years.

3) Ashland University

Founded in 1878, Ashland University is a private Christian institution in Ashland, Ohio, with a total enrollment of 5,700. US News recognizes Ashland as a Tier 1 national university and places it on the high school counselor rankings. Special emphasis is placed on student-centered instruction, and the 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps maintain small class sizes and a close-knit learning environment. Nearly 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students and none have 50. Credit for life experiences, employment and placement services, academic and career counseling, and military support services are also available.

Ashland’s top-ranked online MBA degree is a 30-credit, highly affordable program. In addition to core MBA coursework, students pursuing an Accounting specialization can tailor the degree through a variety of classes, including Special Topics in Accounting, Advanced Cost Management, and Fund and Nonprofit Accounting. On accelerated track, Ashland students can complete the degree in as little as one year, and start dates available throughout the year to accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students. In particular, the curriculum prepares students to sit for the CPA exam, but graduates will also be able to pursue a career as Certified Management Accountants (CMAs), Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs), and Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs). GRE and GMAT requirements are waived, and financial aid may cover up to 100% of tuition costs. The degree is accredited by the ACBSP.

4) Wilmington University

Founded in 1967, Wilmington University has a total enrollment of 20,000, over forty percent of which are online students. Despite the large population, Wilmington maintains a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, helping to combine the resources of a large research institution with the small, intimate classroom experience of a liberal arts school. More than eighty percent of classes have fewer than 20 students and none have 50. In addition to rigorous academics, Wilmington emphasizes career-oriented curricula and individualized learning.

Wilmington’s 36-credit MBA program offers ten affordable tracks, including specializations in Business Technology Management, Health Care Administration, Organizational Leadership, and Accounting. Core requirements cover Business Strategy, Global Marketing Management, and Economic and Financial Environment of Business, among other subjects. From there, accounting MBAs take an 18-credit module, with classes like Advanced Managerial Accounting, Issues in Auditing and Assurance Services, Fraud Prevention and Forensic Accounting, International Accounting and Taxation, Quantitative Business Analysis, and Federal Taxation, Policy, and Research. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate students’ schedules, and several delivery formats are available, including hybrid, fusion, and accelerated. The program is accredited by the IACBE.

5) Jacksonville State University

Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State University is a public institution in Alabama with a total enrollment of 8,500. Ranked among the top overall universities in the nation, US News also ranks Jacksonville State 34th in the South among public schools. The 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates a vibrant and responsive educational setting that is small enough to support individualized instruction by expert faculty and large enough to foster peer-to-peer work. Over 40% of classes have less than 20 students and just 6% have 50.

Jacksonville State’s affordable MBA in Accounting consists of 33 credits, including classes in Accounting Information Analysis, Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions, Business Policy & Strategy, International Business, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, Business Leadership, and Marketing Administration. Ranked among the best business programs in the country by the Princeton Review, the degree is also one of the most affordable accredited by the AACSB International. Courses are highly flexible, and full-time students on an accelerated track can complete the program in as little as 18 months. All students receive co-op and internship matching, personal career services, advising, and more.

6) University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, has a total enrollment of 6,300. Founded in 188 and affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, Cumberlands’s academic programs incorporate Christian values, and the school places a special emphasis on service: each student must complete at least 40 hours of community service to graduate. The 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters a vibrant educational community as well as individualized instruction, experiential learning opportunities, and more. 70% of classes have less than 20 students. For graduate students interested in financial aid, the undergraduate rate is a good sign: 85% of students receive some form of aid, and the average need met is 76%.

Cumberlands offers an affordable online MBA in Accounting that features 45 credits. Core requirements include Managerial Accounting, Organizational Behavior, Strategic Decision-Making, Managerial Economics, and Marketing Management, as well as 9 credits of business electives to tailor the curriculum. From there, Accounting students can choose from courses such as Accounting Information Systems, Tax Research and Practice, Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting, and more. With expert faculty with real-world experience, Cumberlands offers numerous hands-on opportunities and an established professional network to help students find employment upon graduation. Concentrations are also available in Business Analytics, Project Management, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, and Marketing. Cumberlands’s business school is an Educational Member of the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

7) University of the Southwest

Founded in 1962, The University of the Southwest is a private Christian institution with just over 1,000 students, split between undergraduates and graduates. US News ranks it among the best colleges in the region. With a large online presence, programs are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and other non-traditional students with busy schedules. The 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters tailored instruction, small class sizes, and collaborative learning. In addition to an excellent financial aid policy, USW student services include tech support, online tutoring services, and learning platforms with group discussion boards, web conferencing technologies, live chat rooms, and more.

USW offers an affordable online MBA in Accounting that consists of 36 hours, including specialization courses in Financial Reporting, Internal Audit Theory and Practice, Small Business Accounting, Financial Planning and Investment Analysis, and a capstone in Organizational Design and Strategy. Core requirements cover Information Technology for Managers, Business Analytics and Econometrics, Controllership, Transforming Business in the 21st Century, and Marketing Concepts and Strategies, among others. With an emphasis on convenient scheduling and delivery, students on accelerated tracks can complete the degree in as little as 14 months. Additional MBA specializations include Finance, Research, and a self-designed track. University of the Southwest is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

  • Tuition Per Credit: $544

8) Bellevue University

Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a private Christian institution that emphasizes convenient, affordable online education for working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students. The school’s dynamic learning platform features a wide variety of educational tools: 24/7 access to course materials, group discussion boards, live chat rooms, video conferencing, and tech support. Flex paths, MOOCs, course clusters, and accelerated cohorts gives students numerous delivery options, and Bellevue’s 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio promotes tailored instruction, intimate classes, and collaborative learning.

Bellevue’s online MBA consists of 36 credits. Accounting students can customize their concentration through a range of classes, including Advanced Accounting Problems, Taxation of Business Entities, Accounting Information Systems, International Accounting, and more. In addition to in-depth academic training, students will develop problem-solving, decision-making, team building and technical skills, as well as general performance skills in finance, strategy and human capital management. While the highly affordable program does not automatically qualify students to sit for the CPA exam, interested students can convene with their advisor to ensure all credit requirements are met. For those interested in other areas of study, Bellevue offers nearly two-dozen concentrations. The MBA is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.

9) Liberty University

Liberty University, founded in 1971, is a private Christian school with an enrollment of 14,000 on-campus and 100,000 online students. As a leader in distance education for over 30 years, all 250 of Liberty’s online programs are designed to fit the needs of working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students, featuring low tuition rates and tailored delivery formats like hybrid, intensive, and blended. For transfer students, Liberty’s generous policy allows students to waive course work through previous academic credits, work/life experience, military service, MOOC certifications, examinations, and/or portfolio work. Finally, Liberty’s low student-to-faculty ratio supports an intimate learning community, with a third of classes consisting of fewer than 20 students.

Liberty offers an affordable online MBA in Accounting to prepare students for corporate accounting leadership roles. Consisting of 45 credit hours, core requirements include traditional MBA classes like Strategic Marketing Management, Legal Issues in Business, Global Economic Environment, Operations Management, Managerial Finance, and International Business. From there, the Accounting cognate includes studies in Advanced Cost Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Tax Research & Jurisprudence, and either Advanced Auditing or Advanced Financial Accounting Theory. Thanks to Liberty’s flexible format, students can transfer up to half of the required credits, and most students complete the degree in 1-2 years. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

10) Lindenwood University

Founded in 1827, Lindenwood University is a private institution with a total enrollment of about 10,000, including 4,000 graduate students. US News ranks Lindenwood among the best national universities, and the school specializes in a variety of delivery formats, including online, hybrid, and accelerated degrees. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Lindenwood supports a tight-knit, collaborative learning environment with tailored instruction and hands-on opportunities. Nearly 70% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Credit for life experiences, academic and career counseling, and veteran support services are available as well.

Lindenwood offers an affordable online MBA with an emphasis in Accounting as well as Finance, HR Management, International Business, and a half-dozen others. Accounting students complete coursework in Advanced Cost Management, Individual Tax Planning, Business Tax Planning, Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis. An internship requirement provides a real-world component. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility to fit students’ schedules, and hybrid delivery options are available, too. For interested students, Lindenwood also offers an online Master of Accountancy program that helps satisfy the 150 credit hour requirement for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam. Through the Canvas learning platform, students have access to a range of education tools, including discussion boards, live chat rooms, video conferencing, tech support, and more.

11) Colorado Technical University

Founded in 1965, Colorado Technical University has a total enrollment of about 20,000, many of whom are online students. With a range of undergraduate, graduate, and associate’s degrees, all Colorado Tech programs emphasize a career-oriented, practical curriculum that prepares students for real-world experience. The 28:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters collaborative learning, and CTU’s M.U.S.E. program (My Unique Student Experience) allows students to customize delivery format, including 100% online, hybrid, and blended options for maximum flexibility. The university has been rated “Best of the Best” in the Education and Academia category of the Computerworld Honors Program.

Colorado Tech offers an affordable online MBA that includes an Accounting specialization. Consisting of 48 credits, courses include Taxation and Business Decisions, Financial Reporting, Management Control and Auditing, Applied Managerial Decision-Making, Applied Managerial Finance, and Applied Managerial Accounting, among others. US News ranks CTU’s program among the best in the country for online MBAs, and CEO Magazine gives it a Tier 1 rating. With start dates throughout the year, students can begin whenever fits their schedule, and the university’s generous transfer policy can help accelerate coursework. Other cost-saving options include a military discount, grants, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement. The MBA is accredited by the AACSB, and the curriculum aligns with the American Institutes of CPAs Core Competencies.

12) Touro University Worldwide

Established in 1998, Touro University Worldwide is an online branch of the Touro University International system, one of the earliest adopters of distance education programs. All Touro degrees are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students. The 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters an intimate, highly collaborative learning atmosphere, and 100% of students receive some form of financial aid to increase affordability. Additional services include academic and career counseling, remedial services, weekend and evening classes, and veteran support.

Touro’s affordable online MBA gives students the chance to choose from 10 concentrations, including Accounting, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Management, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, and more. The 36-credit Accounting track combines instruction in problem-solving management with advanced accounting and finance theory; specifically classes cover Audit and Corporate Finance, Financial Statement Analysis, and Advanced Accounting. Touro’s MBA is designed for high flexibility to fit the needs of adult learners and working professionals, and there are six start dates throughout the year. Students on a full-time accelerated track can complete the MBA in as little as one year. Applicants should have earned at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA, and no GMAT or GRE scores are required.

13) Benedictine University

Benedictine University, founded in 1887, is a private Roman Catholic university with a total enrollment of just under 6,000. Both Forbes and U.S. News have ranked Benedictine among the best colleges in the country, including special recognition for business, and The Chronicle of Higher Education reported the university as the second-fastest growing campus in the country among private nonprofit doctoral universities from 2003-2013. The 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports an intimate, tight-knit learning community with individualized instruction. Over seventy percent of classes have less than 20 students and almost none have 50.

Benedictine’s online MBA in Accounting is an affordable, highly flexible program that can be completed in as little as 16 months on an accelerated schedule. The concentration courses are Tax Influences on Decision Making, Theory and Practice of Financial Report, and Cost Analysis, Profit Planning and Control; core requirements include Managerial Accounting, Ethics and Leadership in a Global Environment, Operations Management, and Strategic Management, among others. The program is designed to accommodate working professionals and adult learners, and half of graduates report receiving a promotion or increased responsibilities at work. Current alumni now hold titles like Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, and work at Amazon, Boeing, Disney, and Allstate Insurance, among other organizations.

14) Brenau University

Founded in 1878, Brenau University has a total enrollment of about 3,000. US News ranks it among the best colleges in the South and gives it high marks for veterans’ services and affordable tuition. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the university fosters a close-knit educational setting with individualized instruction by expert faculty and collaborative learning opportunities. Over eighty percent of classes have fewer than 20 students and almost none have 50. For those interested, Brenau has excellent financial record, as well.

Brenau’s online MBA in Accounting requires 45 customizable credits, including specializations in both Management Accounting and Public Accounting. The latter is designed for students interested in pursuing a CPA, Chartered Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and includes classes in Advanced Accounting and Advanced Auditing & Assurance Services. The management track features classes in Financial Statement and Business Analysis, Fraud Detection and Internal Control, and Valuation, among others; relevant career opportunities include CFO, controller, or accounting manager, and related certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). For those interested, Brenau also offers a 5-course Accounting Certificate.

15) Creighton University

Founded in 1878, Creighton is a Catholic university with a total enrollment of 8,500. US News ranks Creighton 1st in the Midwest, with additional top marks for its veterans services, overall value, and innovation in education. The university’s EDGE program provides students with a wide range of services, from personalized academic advising to career planning, tutoring, and more. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, half of classes have fewer than 20 students, promoting a tight-knit learning community and tailored instruction. Nearly 100% of Creighton alumni are employed or pursuing further studies 9 months after graduation.

Creighton’s highly affordable MBA consists of 33 credits. Major requirements include Leadership & Organizational Behavior, Business Policy & Managerial Action, and Business, Ethics & Society, as well as a functional core which is contingent on students’ undergraduate business credits. For students in the Accounting specialization, courses cover Special Managerial Accounting Issues, International Accounting, Advanced Taxation, and more. With online and hybrid delivery options, Creighton tailors the MBA to working professionals and adult learners, and each student has the opportunity to customize the curriculum to fit their professional needs and goals. (Over a dozen dual degrees and graduate certificates are offered, as well.) Graduates of Creighton’s program have go on to assume numerous high-level roles at organizations such as Union Pacific, Mutual of Omaha, and TD Ameritrade, among others. The degree is accredited by the AACSB.

16) Southern New Hampshire University

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a global leader in distance education, with over 70,000 online students and more than 200 degrees. US News ranks it 1st in the country for innovation, and Fast Company, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and New Hampshire Business Review have all recognized SNHU for cutting-edge education projects, as well. The university’s faculty have years of online teaching experience, and the 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a vibrant, collaborative learning experience. Over sixty percent of classes contain less than 20 students. For students interested in tuition assistance, SNHU has an excellent financial aid record and is ranked among the most affordable schools in the country.

Southern New Hampshire’s online MBA in Accounting includes courses in Accounting and Financial Analysis, Marketing and Strategy, Leading in an Organization, Operations Management and Technology, Financial Reporting, and Tax Factors in Business Decisions, among others. With accelerated 10-week course blocks, students can complete the degree in as little as 15 months, and courses are available 24/7 for maximum flexibility. All students have access to personalized academic advising, a writing center, career services, tech support, and e-library services. SNHU alumni work some of the top accounting firms in the country, as well as at management-level positions in a variety of industries.The program is accredited by both NEASC and ACBSP.

17) Concordia University Wisconsin

Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private Christian institution with a total enrollment of 7,700. US News places CUW among the best colleges in the country, as well as highlighting its affordable tuition. The 11:1 student-to-faculty keeps classes small and intimate without sacrificing collaborative learning, and the university emphasizes bridging a liberal arts curriculum with project-based, experiential education. Over sixty percent of classes have fewer than 20 students and two percent have 50. For those interested in tuition assistance, Concordia also boasts a great financial aid record.

Concordia’s award-winning online MBA in Accounting requires 39 credits, including classes in Advanced Auditing, Global Production and Operations, Fraud Management, Systems Analysis and Design, Public Speaking, and Mergers and Acquisitions Accounting, among others. The MBA core covers traditional advanced business practices, and the required internship gives the program a real-world component. Upon graduation of the program, students will know how to create and implement ethical-decision making frameworks; understand the intersection of financial analysis, decision-making, planning and controlling, capital acquisition and use, and strategic planning; and be able to perform financial forecasting, cost-profit relationships, break-even analysis, and management planning and control. The program is accredited by the IACBE.

18) Park University

Founded in 1875, Park University is a private institution with a total enrollment of about 11,200 students, spread across 42 campus centers and the university’s robust online campus. US News ranks Park among the best schools in the Midwest and highlights veteran support services as well as affordability. Payscale highlights Park’s return-on-investment. With a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes are small and intimate, and Park emphasizes individualized instruction alongside collaborative and hands-on learning. Additional benefits include credit for life experiences and academic and career counseling services.

Park offers an affordable online MBA with 10 available concentrations: Disaster and Emergency Management, Finance, Global Business, Homeland Security, Quality and Innovation Management, Management Information Systems, and Management Accounting, among others. Ranked among the best online MBAs in the country, Park’s curriculum doubles down on customization, offering students a huge range of coursework, from Internal Auditing and Control Mechanisms to Management Accounting Leadership, Accounting Research and Analysis, and more. The interdisciplinary design of the MBA produces well-rounded graduates, and Park’s extensive professional network helps students find high-quality employment opportunities across multiple industries. Applicants should have earned at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, and neither GMAT nor GRE scores are required. The MBA is accredited by the ACBSP.

19) Culver-Stockton College

Founded in 1853, Culver-Stockton College is a private Christian institution in Missouri with a total enrollment of about 1,000. US News ranks CSC among the top 30 schools in the region. Culver-Stockton places an emphasis on rigorous academics, personalized advising, and experiential learning, and the 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio promotes tailored instruction and keeps class sizes small: 60% have fewer than 20 students. For graduates students in financial aid, undergraduate rates indicate a good record: 80% of full-time students receive some form of aid, and the average need met is 75%.

Culver-Stockton offers an affordable online MBA with available specializations in Accounting, Accounting & Finance, and Management (plus a MSN/MBA dual degree). Both accounting tracks are 33 credits and include coursework in subjects like Financial Reporting and Analysis, Global Marketing Strategy, Taxation of Business Entities, Managers in Legal Environment, Not For Profit Accounting and Finance, and more. A capstone project provides students with valuable real-world experience. Accelerated 8-week delivery blocks are ideal for working professionals and adult learners, and multiple entry dates are available throughout the year. In particular, graduates of CSC’s MBA will develop high-level analytical skills, including for qualitative and quantitative data, and be prepared to communicate and implement effective business solutions. GMAT waivers are available on a case by case basis.

  • Tuition Per Credit: $790

10) University of North Alabama

University of North Alabama, founded in 18030, has a total enrollment of about 7,000 and is ranked among the top 35 public schools in the region by US News. The 21:1 student-to-faculty fosters a vibrant, collaborative learning community, designed to balance tailored instruction with peer-to-peer and hands-on learning opportunities. More than 40% of classes have fewer than 20 students. For graduate students interested in financial aid, undergraduate rates suggest a good record: 70% of full-time students receive some form of aid, and the average need met is over half. Additional benefits include academic and career counseling services, credit for military training, and weekend and evening classes.

North Alabama’s award-winning online MBA has been recognized by CEO Magazine as well as a half-dozen other publications for both quality and affordability. Core courses cover Research in Accounting, Information Systems Design and Project Management, Business Ethics and Responsibility in a Global Economy, Corporate Financial Strategy, and Strategic Marketing Analysis and Concepts. From there, Accounting MBAs will complete coursework in Financial Statement Analysis, Valuation Tools for Professional Accounting, Controllership, and Business Combinations. The MBA is designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate a wide variety of working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students, and numerous start dates are available throughout the year. For those interested, UNA also offers MBA concentrations in Executive, Information Systems, Sales and New Business Development, Finance, Health Care Management, and several other areas.