Accounting
What you'll do in college
Accounting majors learn how businesses track and report financial activity. Coursework covers financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, tax, accounting information systems, and business law, plus core business classes in finance, marketing, and economics.
Many programs prepare students for the CPA exam, which often requires 150 college credits. Internships at accounting firms during junior year are common and frequently turn into job offers.
What you'll do after college
Grads work at accounting firms (especially the "Big Four": Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits. Roles include auditor, tax accountant, financial analyst, controller, and forensic accountant.
The CPA license is the standard credential for advancement and significantly boosts pay. Accounting is steady work: every business needs it, recessions don't change that, and the path from staff to manager to partner is well-defined.
Famous graduates
- Arthur Andersen — Founder of the accounting firm; B.B.A. from Northwestern University
- Phil Knight — Co-founder of Nike and CPA; B.B.A. in Accounting from University of Oregon
- Arthur Blank — Co-founder of The Home Depot; B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from Babson College
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings by acceptance rate and institution category
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | Earnings | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 918 | 34,624 | 53% / 47% | 4% | $81,015 | 97% |
| Accounting | 892 | 32,207 | 53% / 47% | 4% | $80,172 | 97% |
| Accountancy | 4 | 1,165 | 50% / 50% | 15% | $100,254 | 97% |
| Accounting and Finance | 33 | 503 | 66% / 34% | 4% | $80,998 | 97% |
| Accounting & Data Analysis | 1 | 199 | 45% / 55% | 3% | $71,698 | 91% |
| Accounting and Information Systems | 1 | 146 | 55% / 45% | 1% | $105,025 | 99% |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 1 | 95 | 69% / 31% | 0% | $76,888 | 97% |
| Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation | 4 | 66 | 33% / 67% | 6% | $78,698 | 96% |
| Public Accounting | 1 | 55 | 73% / 27% | 2% | $121,511 | 98% |
| General Accounting | 1 | 49 | 55% / 45% | 4% | $110,744 | 100% |
| Accounting and Business/Management | 4 | 40 | 50% / 50% | 5% | $84,100 | 99% |
| Accounting Management | 1 | 25 | 76% / 24% | 0% | $92,740 | 98% |
| Accounting Technology | 4 | 20 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $76,876 | 97% |
| Accounting and Business Management | 3 | 14 | 57% / 43% | 0% | $69,735 | 100% |
| Financial Forensics | 2 | 12 | 42% / 58% | 0% | $85,256 | 96% |
| Accounting and Business | 2 | 9 | 22% / 78% | 0% | $63,602 | |
| Accounting and Related Services | 5 | 8 | 75% / 25% | 0% | $84,494 | 94% |
| Auditing | 3 | 7 | 43% / 57% | 0% | $66,473 | 98% |
| Accounting and Management | 2 | 2 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $70,376 | 100% |
| Applied Accounting | 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $74,357 | |
| Accounting & Information Systems | 1 | 0 | $128,124 | 97% | ||
| Taxation | 1 | 0 | $70,022 |