The Best Bachelor's in Accounting Programs in Alabama for 2027
Key Points: Best Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
- Auburn University ranks #1 in Alabama on a 94.6 Program Score, with an 82% graduation rate.
- The hardest to get into is University of West Alabama (#8), which admits 43% of applicants.
- Public schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, University of West Alabama, ranks #8.
- Programs analyzed
- 8
- In-state tuition range
- $9,100-$27,570
- Average graduation rate
- 58%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $87,660
We analyzed 8 business programs in Alabama on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor of accounting actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 8 ranked programs in Alabama runs from $9,100 to $27,570 a year, an $18,470 spread for the same credential.
Auburn University tops the list with a 94.6 Program Score on an 82% graduation rate, at $11,016 a year in-state. Across all 8 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 58%, ranging from 35% to 82%. The national median pay in the field is $87,660 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama, Compared by Score
Auburn leads at 94.6, and West Alabama closes the chart at 68.8. Longer bars rank higher.
Our Methodology for Ranking Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 8 Best Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama, Ranked for 2027
The 8 best Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama, ranked by outcomes.
Auburn University
Auburn, AL · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 82%
- Admit rate
- 46%
- In-state
- $11,016
- Out-of-state
- $33,048
Auburn University's accountancy major sits in a separately AACSB-accredited School of Accountancy and offers an accelerated bachelor's to Master of Accountancy option with 9 shared credits.
- 82% graduation rate
- Program Score 94.6
- $11,016 in-state tuition
- Accelerated bachelor's to MAcc option
Auburn University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accountancy major pairs a financial accounting core with data analytics training. The page says the curriculum is built to support success on the CPA exam, and it reports that the School of Accountancy holds separate AACSB accreditation. Accounting majors can pursue internships that often lead to full-time offers, and the page names Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee as the largest destinations for graduates. Strong students may enter the Accelerated Bachelors to Master of Accountancy option, which lets seniors earn 9 credits toward both degrees. Entry requires a minimum 3.50 GPA and an A or higher in Intermediate Accounting I, with a March 1 application deadline.
The Program Score is 94.6 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Auburn graduates 82% of its students and admits 46% of applicants. In-state tuition is $11,016 a year and out-of-state tuition is $33,048. The major fits students aiming for public accounting or corporate finance roles, and especially those who want to reach the 150-hour CPA licensing path through a combined bachelor's and master's sequence.
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · Public
- Grad rate
- 73%
- Admit rate
- 77%
- In-state
- $11,380
- Out-of-state
- $33,372
The University of Alabama's Culverhouse School of Accountancy ties its Professional Accounting concentration to the 150-hour CPA path through its MAcc and MTA programs.
- 73% graduation rate
- Program Score 88.9
- $11,380 in-state tuition
- CPA 150-hour path via MAcc or MTA
The University of Alabama houses its accounting major in the Culverhouse School of Accountancy. Students must be admitted to the upper division of the College of Business, and 400-level accounting courses are open only to admitted students. The major requires 18 hours: Intermediate Financial Accounting I and II, Cost Analysis, Introduction to Taxation, Accounting Information Systems and Introduction to Audit and Assurance Services, each with a grade of C- or higher. The Professional Accounting concentration adds government and nonprofit accounting and a taxation course, and it is designed for students who plan to pursue the Master of Accountancy or Master of Tax Accounting and sit for the CPA exam. The page notes that Alabama CPA licensure requires 150 semester hours, including at least 33 upper-division accounting hours.
The University of Alabama reports a 73% graduation rate and a 77% admit rate. Undergraduate tuition is $11,380 in-state and $33,372 out-of-state. The program has a Program Score of 88.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who already know they want public accounting or CPA licensure and are willing to follow a structured sequence, including the graduate step that supplies the extra credit hours. The page lists entry roles such as staff accountant, financial analyst and financial consultant.
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL · Public
- Grad rate
- 64%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- In-state
- $10,374
- Out-of-state
- $24,650
The University of Alabama in Huntsville reports it ranked first in Alabama for overall CPA exam pass rate in both 2023 and 2024.
- 64% graduation rate
- Program Score 83.2
- $10,374 in-state tuition
- AACSB-accredited, per the school
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) offers a bachelor's degree in accounting through its College of Business. The program page describes career paths in financial reporting, assurance, budget analysis, management accounting and tax accounting, with graduates working in public accounting firms, corporations, government or private practice. UAH reports that its accounting students have placed first in Alabama for overall CPA exam pass rate in 2023 and 2024, and that the program is accredited by AACSB International. Students can join the Accounting Connections & Conversations Club, which the school says gives access to CPAs, accounting firms and industry leaders, and the page emphasizes hands-on learning with industry tools.
The federal numbers add context. 64% of students graduate and the school admits 69% of applicants, so entry is accessible but completion is not automatic. In-state tuition is $10,374, compared with $24,650 for out-of-state students, which makes residency a large factor in total cost. The program earns a Program Score of 83.2 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want an AACSB-accredited accounting major with a CPA-oriented focus and who live in Alabama or can plan around the out-of-state rate.
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 49%
- In-state
- $21,064
- Out-of-state
- $21,064
Accounting majors study in a department that pairs accounting with economics and finance and builds internship and co-op experience into the course of study.
- Program Score 78.7
- 55% graduation rate
- $21,064 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Internship and co-op experiences
Tuskegee University's accounting major sits in the Accounting, Economics and Finance Department of the College of Business and Information Sciences. The department says it prepares students to master modern accounting, economic and finance theory, with coursework that also builds communication, information technology and analytical skills. Students complete a four-year curriculum balance sheet for the accounting concentration with an academic advisor, and advising is available in person or by Zoom. The department states that internship and co-op experiences are offered to give students real-world practice, and that graduates are ready for graduate study or for positions in government agencies and businesses. The school reports that its business school is accredited by AACSB.
Tuskegee holds a Program Score of 78.7 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 55% graduation rate and a 49% admit rate, so admission is selective and roughly half of entrants finish. Tuition is $21,064 for both in-state and out-of-state students, since the university is private. The program suits students who want a campus-based accounting degree inside a department that also teaches economics and finance, and who plan to use an internship or co-op to build experience before graduate school or entry into the workforce.
University of Montevallo
Montevallo, AL · Public
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 54%
- In-state
- $12,090
- Out-of-state
- $25,110
University of Montevallo's accounting program requires a full-time spring internship in senior year and reports close to 100% internship placement among eligible seniors.
- Program Score 74.8
- 54% graduation rate
- $12,090 in-state tuition
- Full-time senior-year internship
The University of Montevallo's B.B.A. in Accounting is the James and Jennifer Newman Accounting Program in the Stephens College of Business. It prepares students for public accounting, managerial accounting, taxation and general business. The program features a dedicated full-time internship in the spring of senior year, and the page reports close to 100% internship placement among eligible seniors and offers from all four of the largest international accounting firms. Students can complete the 150-hour CPA curriculum, either through an undergraduate accounting degree of 120 credit hours plus an MBA of 30 graduate credit hours, or through the combined path. The major requirement is 30 credit hours, including intermediate accounting, cost accounting, accounting information systems, income tax and auditing.
The Program Score is 74.8 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Montevallo graduates 54% of its students and admits 54% of applicants. In-state tuition is $12,090 and out-of-state tuition is $25,110. The program fits students at a small public university of about 3,088 students who want a defined CPA path and a full-time internship before graduation.
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL · Public
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $10,440
- Out-of-state
- $20,880
Jacksonville State University's accounting degree is a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with resources for CPA exam requirements and an Internal Audit Awareness Program.
- Program Score 73.4
- 55% graduation rate
- $10,440 in-state tuition
- Internal Audit Awareness Program
Jacksonville State University awards a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. The program page describes it as suited to students interested in analyzing and interpreting financial data, acting as a trusted business advisor and ensuring compliance with established standards. Areas of study named on the page include financial planning and reporting, tax law, auditing, forensics, cost management, information technology and decision making. Potential careers listed range from auditor and tax accountant to forensic accountant, management accountant, governmental accountant and not-for-profit accountant. Students also get a plan of study, accounting scholarships, CPA exam requirements and an Internal Audit Awareness Program through the Finance, Economics and Accounting department.
The Program Score is 73.4 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Jacksonville State graduates 55% of its students and admits 78% of applicants. In-state tuition is $10,440 and out-of-state tuition is $20,880. The degree fits students who want a broad accounting foundation with several career directions, from public accounting and auditing to internal audit and government work, at a mid-sized public university of about 9,955 students.
Huntingdon College
Montgomery, AL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 48%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- In-state
- $27,570
- Out-of-state
- $27,570
Huntingdon College's accounting major brings accounting firms to campus each year through the Meet the Firms recruiting event.
- Program Score 69.3
- 48% graduation rate
- $27,570 tuition for all students
- Annual Meet the Firms recruiting
Huntingdon College offers an accounting major through its Department of Business, Accounting, and Mathematics, alongside a business administration major. Accounting, business and economics courses are combined with the college's core curriculum to emphasize critical thinking, writing, speaking, decision-making and teamwork. The college says every class carries an international business component and highlights a focus on leadership and business ethics. Students can pair the major with a second major. The Center for Career and Vocation runs an annual Meet the Firms event where accounting firms recruit accounting majors on campus, and a Business Networking Luncheon connects students with alumni. Student groups include the Accounting Club, the Business Club and the Sigma Beta Delta business honorary.
The Program Score is 69.3 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Huntingdon graduates 48% of its students and admits 69% of applicants. Tuition is $27,570 a year for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits students who prefer a small liberal arts setting, with an enrollment of 892, and want internship and recruiting contacts close to a state capital.
University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL · Public
- Grad rate
- 35%
- Admit rate
- 43%
- In-state
- $9,100
- Out-of-state
- $18,200
University of West Alabama's Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting sits in a department that places students in internships and experiential learning.
- Program Score 68.8
- $9,100 in-state tuition
- 35% graduation rate
- Internship and experiential placement
The University of West Alabama's Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. According to the department page, the degree provides the education students need for accounting careers and for graduate school. The department reports a history of placing qualified students in internships and other experiential learning opportunities while they work toward degree completion. Students are encouraged to join the Accounting Club, the Finance Club and ENACTUS, which offer guest speaker programs, career-related workshops, competitive award events, field trips, fundraising projects and community service activities.
The Program Score is 68.8 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. West Alabama graduates 35% of its students and admits 43% of applicants. In-state tuition is $9,100 and out-of-state tuition is $18,200. The program fits students who want an accounting degree at a lower public price and value hands-on internship placement and active student clubs, and who may continue to graduate study afterward. The page also names finance as a sister major in the same department, so students can compare the two before declaring.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
The median school on this list graduates 55% of its students. The highest rates belong to Auburn University (82%) and The University of Alabama (73%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Auburn University82% graduation rate
- #2 The University of Alabama73% graduation rate
- #3 University of Alabama in Huntsville64% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama?
On this list, 3 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being University of West Alabama at 43%.
- #8 University of West Alabama43% admitted
- #1 Auburn University46% admitted
- #4 Tuskegee University49% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
This list holds 6 public and 2 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 79.0 public and 74.0 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Campus Size Across the Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
Enrollment on this list runs from 892 at Huntingdon College to 40,846 at The University of Alabama. Of the 8, 2 enroll 20,000 students or more and 3 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Auburn UniversityAuburn | $86,222 | $25,424 |
| #2 | The University of AlabamaAlabama | $87,621 | $20,202 |
| #3 | University of Alabama in HuntsvilleAlabama in Huntsville | $71,245 | $22,758 |
| #4 | Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee | $74,078 | $40,141 |
| #5 | University of MontevalloMontevallo | $57,747 | $18,760 |
| #6 | Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville State | $62,589 | $17,111 |
| #7 | Huntingdon CollegeHuntingdon College | $65,820 | $21,852 |
| #8 | University of West AlabamaWest Alabama | $58,218 | $11,531 |
Four years out, medians on this list run from $57,747 at Montevallo to $87,621 at Alabama.
The highest-ranked school in the table, Auburn (#1), reports $86,222, so the highest score and the highest pay are not the same school.
After grants, the average undergraduate pays least at West Alabama, $11,531 a year, and most at Tuskegee, $40,141.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What a Bachelor of Accounting Costs in Alabama
In-state tuition among the 8 ranked accounting programs in Alabama runs from $9,100 to $27,570 a year. University of West Alabama anchors the low end at $9,100, while Huntingdon College sits at the top at $27,570. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $36,400 in tuition at the low end against roughly $110,280 at the high end for the same bachelor of accounting. Against the national median of $87,660 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Online Accounting Options in Alabama
1 of the 8 ranked Alabama programs offers a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online accounting degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
Accounting Careers and Pay After an Alabama Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $87,660 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $7,680 or $39,000 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
How to Become a CPA in Alabama
Alabama's board lists rules effective October 15, 2026, written under HB 59 of 2026, that sort licensure into three pathways: a bachelor's with the accounting and business hours and two years of experience, a bachelor's and a master's with one year, or a bachelor's plus 30 more semester hours with one year. In Alabama the experience is what earns the permit to practice; the certificate itself follows the exam.
| Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's with an accounting concentration | 2 years | Available since October 2026 |
| A master's, or a bachelor's plus 30 semester hours | 1 year | Available |
To sit for the exam: a bachelor's degree with 24 upper-division accounting and 24 business semester hours. Every route also requires passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
A bachelor's in accounting from this list can now lead to a license in Alabama with no fifth year of coursework, by way of the two-year route. Taking the extra 30 credits now buys a shorter apprenticeship instead, one year of experience rather than two.
Checked against the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy and the law behind it in October 2026. These rules are changing state by state, so confirm them with the board before you plan a course schedule around them.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions About Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
What is the best accounting bachelor's degree in Alabama?
By Program Score, Auburn University ranks first among the 8 accounting programs in Alabama we analyzed, with a 94.6 score and an 82% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does an accounting bachelor's degree cost in Alabama?
In-state tuition among the ranked Alabama programs runs from $7,680 to $39,000 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online accounting bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $87,660 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Alabama-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
Data Sources
- U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS)
- BLS Occupational Outlook: Accountants and Auditors
- BLS wage data (OEWS)
- AACSB Accreditation
- AICPA (CPA licensure)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (earnings by field of study; net price)
- Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, exam and certification requirements effective October 15, 2026