Gone are the days of brick-and-mortar classes to earn a college degree. It’s 2023, and it has never been easier to obtain an online degree in some of the world’s most popular professions—like accounting. As long as businesses exist, accountants are in demand. Take advantage of the outstanding need for people like you by getting the degree that says you are the expert employers want.
While you don’t necessarily have to obtain a degree in accounting to perform the role of an accountant, it can help increase your earnings and opportunities if you have a degree in the profession. Right now, you can earn an associate’s or master’s in accounting in just 12 to 24 months. Bachelor’s degree programs take a little longer, but with all degree types being offered online, they are not out of reach or out of budget.
If you want to become an accountant, here are the top online degree programs you need to consider:
Online Associate’s Degree in Accounting
In less than two years, you can get the basic training you need to start a career in accounting. These degrees are traditionally offered by technical schools and community colleges. However, now, many universities offer them online. Not only does this degree provide you with what you need for entry-level accounting work, but it is also foundational for those who wish to eventually obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting. There are almost 900 colleges and universities in the United States from which you can earn an associate’s degree in accounting.
Here are the top five colleges that offer online associate’s degrees in accounting:
- Purdue University Global, $10,662 per year
- Southern New Hampshire University Online, $9,600 per year
- Liberty University, $8,475 per year
- Bryant & Stratton College Online, $14,834 per year
- Penn Foster College, ~$4,500 per year
Online Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting
If you already have an associate’s degree or other college hours under your belt, it won’t take as long as you think to get a bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting. Many online university students obtain their bachelor’s degree in 2 to 4 years, the most time required for those who start the program with no college credits. For accountants or CPAs who have a bachelor’s degree and seek to earn their master’s or doctorate, a degree program can take 12 months to 3 years. It can take longer if that individual works full-time while they work to complete the degree program.
Here are the top five accredited universities that offer online bachelor’s degrees in accounting:
- University of Alaska Southeast, $1,600 per year
- North Seattle College, $3,938 per year
- Clayton State University, Morrow, $5,694 per year
- University of the Cumberlands, $5,970 per year
- Georgia Southwestern State University, $6,169 per year
Here are the top five accredited universities that offer online master’s degrees in accounting:
- Purdue University Global, $10,662 per year
- Southern New Hampshire University Online, $11,286 per year
- Grand Canyon University, $11,074 per year
- Liberty University, $8,475 per year
- Colorado State University Global, $9,000 per year
For most employers, an accounting degree earned from an accredited AACSB school is what they’re looking for, regardless of whether it is obtained on or offline. Again, you can work as an accountant without a degree, but these online degree programs make it convenient and often affordable to help you advance your career. For more information to help you find the right college fit, go to CollegeScorecard.ed.gov, where you can access tools to help you identify where you should go and how you can affordably fund your online accounting degree.