The Best Bachelor's in Accounting Programs in Texas for 2027
Key Points: Best Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas
- The University of Texas at Austin ranks #1 in Texas on a 98.0 Program Score, with an 89% graduation rate.
- The hardest to get into is Trinity University (#5), which admits 26% of applicants.
- 6 of the 12 schools here are public and 6 private.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, University of North Texas, ranks #10.
- Programs analyzed
- 13
- In-state tuition range
- $8,319-$61,650
- Average graduation rate
- 73%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $87,660
The best accounting programs in Texas span a wide cost gap: in-state tuition among the 13 programs analyzed runs from $8,319 to $61,650 a year, and the average graduation rate across that group is 73%. The cheapest strong-value option, the University of North Texas, charges $8,319 in-state, a fraction of the $61,650 Texas Christian University or $58,100 Baylor University charge for the same CPA-eligible, accredited credential.
Public flagships dominate the top of this ranking on cost and outcomes. The University of Texas at Austin posts an 89% graduation rate on $11,688 in-state tuition, and Texas A&M University-College Station graduates 84% of its accounting majors for $9,092 a year. Private schools such as Baylor and Texas Christian University post higher sticker prices but also strong graduation rates, 80% and 86% respectively, a tradeoff every Texas student comparing accounting programs has to price out in dollars.
This guide ranks accounting programs in Texas using a Program Score built from graduation rate, admissions selectivity, cost, and outcomes data reported to IPEDS. It then breaks down what a bachelor of accounting actually costs, how the 150 credit-hour CPA route shapes course selection, and which programs carry AACSB accreditation.
The Top Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas at a Glance
UT Austin leads at 98.0, and North Texas closes the chart at 82.4. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas Are Scored
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 12 Best Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas, Ranked for 2027
The 12 best Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas, ranked by outcomes.
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 89%
- Admit rate
- 27%
- In-state
- $11,688
- Out-of-state
- $44,908
University of Texas at Austin posts the top Program Score in Texas, 98, on the back of an 89% graduation rate despite admitting just 27% of applicants.
- Program Score 98, rank #1 in Texas
- 27% admit rate, most selective of the four
- 89% graduation rate
- $11,688 in-state tuition vs. $44,908 out-of-state
The University of Texas at Austin runs two accounting tracks through its business curriculum: a four-year BBA in accounting covering Accounting 326, 327, 329, 362, and 364 plus Finance 321K and Management 374, and a five-year integrated BBA/MPA that adds the Master in Professional Accounting. The MPA layers on three concentrations, auditing/financial reporting, managerial accounting/control, and taxation, or a generalist path, and requires at least 54 completed semester hours, a university GPA that makes admission unlikely below 3.00, and for international applicants a TOEFL score of 105 or IELTS 7.5, all due by the February 1 deadline of junior year. The university states MPA graduates are expected to become leaders in the accounting profession, with the track built for students aiming at public accounting, industry, not-for-profit work, or higher education, the standard route toward CPA licensure.
UT Austin holds the highest Program Score of the four Texas programs here, 98, built on an 89% graduation rate against a 27% admit rate, the most selective combination on this list. In-state tuition runs $11,688 a year versus $44,908 out-of-state, a $33,220 annual gap. With 53,864 students enrolled, this is the largest school on this list and the best fit for students disciplined enough to clear the near-3.00 GPA bar and commit to the five-year MPA path.
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 57%
- In-state
- $9,092
- Out-of-state
- $36,169
Texas A&M University-College Station's accounting program admits 57% of applicants and still charges the lowest in-state tuition on this list, $9,092 a year.
- Program Score 96, rank #2 in Texas
- $9,092 in-state tuition, lowest of the four
- 57% admit rate, most accessible of the four
- 84% graduation rate
Texas A&M University-College Station's Mays Business School, through the James Benjamin Department of Accounting, offers a 120-credit-hour, in-person BBA in accounting in College Station. Students can extend into the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), a 4+1 path to an M.S. in Accounting that includes a Flex Online M.S. Accounting option, plus certificates such as the Energy Accounting Certificate and the Internal Audit Program. Coursework is approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to help meet the state's 120-to-150 credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure, and the department partners with Becker Professional Education for exam prep. Mays reports its accounting program ranked No. 7 among public institutions in the latest U.S. News rankings.
The program carries a Program Score of 96, second in Texas, with an 84% graduation rate and a 57% admit rate, the most accessible of the four schools here. In-state tuition is $9,092 a year, the lowest on this list, versus $36,169 out-of-state, a $27,077 gap. With 78,321 students enrolled, A&M is the largest campus of the group and fits students who want the lowest sticker price and the broadest admission odds without giving up CPA-track coursework.
Baylor University
Waco, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 80%
- Admit rate
- 51%
- In-state
- $58,100
- Out-of-state
- $58,100
Baylor University's accounting core packs six courses into 18 hours across three fixed semesters, backed by an 80% graduation rate.
- Program Score 93.5, rank #3 in Texas
- 18-hour accounting core across 3 semesters
- 80% graduation rate
- $58,100 flat tuition, no residency discount
Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business builds its accounting major around an 18-hour core: six courses over three semesters, taken concurrently in a fixed sequence. First semester pairs Financial Accounting & Reporting I with Accounting Information Systems; second semester pairs Financial Accounting & Reporting II with Federal Income Taxation; third semester pairs Advanced Managerial Accounting with Auditing, Attestation & Assurance Services. The core runs on active learning, with faculty positioned as "learning guides" rather than lecturers, and students can start in fall or spring, though Baylor recommends a fall start for anyone pairing the BBA with one of its accounting master's degrees.
Baylor's Program Score of 93.5 ranks third in Texas, with an 80% graduation rate, the lowest of the four schools here, and a 51% admit rate. As a private university, tuition is flat at $58,100 whether the student is a Texas resident or not, no in-state discount, unlike the $33,220 and $27,077 public-school tuition gaps at UT Austin and Texas A&M. Enrollment sits at 20,626. Baylor fits students who want a tightly sequenced, small-cohort accounting core and are prepared to pay full private tuition regardless of residency.
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 86%
- Admit rate
- 44%
- In-state
- $61,650
- Out-of-state
- $61,650
Texas Christian University's accounting graduates place at Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC, with tuition flat at $61,650 regardless of residency.
- Program Score 92.9, rank #4 in Texas
- 86% graduation rate, 2nd-highest of the four
- AACSB accredited
- $61,650 flat tuition, highest of the four
Texas Christian University's Neeley School of Business runs a BBA in accounting alongside the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), a five-year track that combines the BBA with a Master of Accounting and positions graduates for the CPA Exam. Neeley recently moved to direct admission for the BBA. PPA admission, applied for between sophomore and junior year, is based on academic performance and a declared interest in a CPA-track accounting career. Sample coursework includes Financial Reporting, Audit and Assurance, Accounting Information Systems, and Cost Analysis and Control, and the program is accredited by AACSB, with an advisory board drawn from more than 16 companies. TCU lists recent graduate placements at Deloitte, KPMG, Weaver, EY, PwC, Grant Thornton, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan.
TCU's Program Score of 92.9 ranks fourth in Texas, close behind Baylor's 93.5, with an 86% graduation rate, second only to UT Austin's 89%, and a 44% admit rate. Tuition is flat at $61,650 for residents and non-residents alike, the highest sticker price of the four schools here. Enrollment is 12,938, the smallest of the group, making TCU the fit for students who want the most intimate cohort and a direct pipeline into Big Four and Wall Street recruiting, provided they can cover the highest tuition on this list.
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 26%
- In-state
- $53,352
- Out-of-state
- $53,352
Trinity University's accounting majors post a 92.8 Program Score, the top mark in this group, with an 84% graduation rate against a tight 26% admit rate.
- 84% graduation rate
- 26% admit rate, most selective here
- $53,352 flat tuition (private, no in-state discount)
- 90% of qualified majors land paid Big Four-track internships
Trinity University's B.S. in Accounting, housed in the Neidorff School of Business, is AACSB accredited and built around a fifth-year pipeline into the school's own Master of Science in Accounting. The program page describes a Business Analytics course covering quantitative analysis and data manipulation, plus a required eight-week structured Accounting Internship supervised by professionals in private or public practice. Trinity states 90% of qualified majors hold paid internships with global public accounting firms, and lists graduates placed at the Big Four, Accenture, Apple, Bank of America, Citigroup, Dell, Microsoft and Procter & Gamble.
Trinity holds the No. 5 spot in Texas on the Program Score at 92.8, built on an 84% graduation rate against a 26% admit rate, the most selective program in this group. Tuition is flat at $53,352 a year regardless of residency, since Trinity is private nonprofit; there's no in-state discount to weigh. With total enrollment of 2,687, the program suits a student who wants a small, liberal-arts-grounded cohort, named faculty access (department chair Julie Persellin, Ph.D., among eight listed instructors), and a direct 4-plus-1 route to a CPA-track master's, not the largest recruiting scale.
University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 65%
- In-state
- $10,639
- Out-of-state
- $36,139
University of Texas at Dallas accounting majors pay $10,639 in-state, $25,500 less than the $36,139 out-of-state rate, on a 91.2 Program Score.
- 76% graduation rate
- 65% admit rate
- $10,639 in-state vs. $36,139 out-of-state tuition
- 120 credit hours, required internship at 100 hrs/credit
University of Texas at Dallas's BS in Accounting sits in the Naveen Jindal School of Management and centers on the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), which begins junior year and runs through a master's degree, plus a fast-track option letting students take one to two graduate courses that count toward both the bachelor's and master's. The 120-semester-credit-hour degree requires a supervised internship, 100 work hours for every 1 credit hour, through course ACCT 4070 or ACCT 4V80. The program page names recent employers of its students and alumni, including Baker Tilly, Goldman Sachs, H&R Block and RSM, and points to Meet the Firms, a recruiting expo with more than 35 firms exclusively for accounting students.
The program ranks No. 6 in Texas with a Program Score of 91.2, on a 76% graduation rate and a 65% admit rate, meaningfully less selective than Trinity's 26%. In-state tuition runs $10,639 a year versus $36,139 out-of-state, a $25,500 gap that makes Texas residency the single biggest cost lever at this school. With enrollment of 29,886, UT Dallas fits a student who wants a large-scale recruiting pipeline and a fast, integrated path to a master's degree, over the smaller cohort and private-school pricing at Trinity.
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 73%
- In-state
- $8,935
- Out-of-state
- $21,240
Texas Tech University's Lyons School of Accounting reports a 95.2% job placement rate for 2024-2025 grads, with in-state tuition of just $8,935.
- 95.2% job placement rate (2024-25 grads)
- $8,935 in-state tuition, lowest here
- 73% admit rate, most accessible
- 97.4% placement for accelerated BBA-to-MS track
Texas Tech University's B.B.A. in Accounting runs through the Lyons School of Accounting inside the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business, a 120-credit-hour, four-year degree that is AACSB accredited, a distinction the school notes fewer than 200 accounting programs worldwide hold. Core coursework listed on the page includes Intermediate Accounting I, Taxation of Individuals, Accounting Information Systems and Principles of Auditing. Students can enter an Accelerated B.B.A. to M.S. in Accounting, finishing both degrees in as little as five years; the school reports a 97.4% job placement rate for those accelerated graduates and cites starting salaries as high as $90,000 for firms recruiting at its Meet the Firms event, which draws Big 4 attendance.
Texas Tech lands No. 7 in Texas with a Program Score of 87.8, on a 69% graduation rate and a 73% admit rate, the most accessible admit rate of the four schools here. In-state tuition is $8,935 a year versus $21,240 out-of-state, a $12,305 gap. Enrollment across the university is 40,757, and the Lyons School awarded more than $900,000 in scholarships for 2025-2026. That mix fits a student prioritizing low sticker cost, a fast CPA-track curriculum and a wide admit funnel over Trinity's selectivity or UT Dallas's PPA-to-master's integration.
University of Houston
Houston, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 74%
- In-state
- $8,685
- Out-of-state
- $21,515
University of Houston's Bauer BBA in Accounting runs $8,685 in-state with a 74% admit rate, the most open program in this Texas group.
- 74% admit rate, most open here
- $8,685 in-state tuition
- 65% graduation rate
- Online BBA option via UH Extend
The University of Houston's BBA in Accounting runs through the Department of Accountancy & Taxation at the Bauer College of Business. The program page lists three tracks: a concentration in internal auditing, a standard elective plan, or an accelerated CPA-ready Pathway, plus an Online BBA in Accounting delivered through UH Extend, though the school notes online course offerings are more limited than on campus. Bauer also runs a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSACCY) and a Ph.D. track for students continuing past the bachelor's.
UH ranks No. 8 in Texas with a Program Score of 87, on a 65% graduation rate and a 74% admit rate, the most open of the four schools profiled here. In-state tuition is $8,685 a year versus $21,515 out-of-state, a $12,830 gap, and enrollment across the university is 47,980, the largest in this group. The combination of an online delivery option, a CPA-ready accelerated pathway and an internal-audit concentration fits a student who wants flexibility in format and specialization over the smaller, more selective cohorts at Trinity or UT Dallas.
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 59%
- Admit rate
- 66%
- In-state
- $43,900
- Out-of-state
- $43,900
A 128-credit BBA in accounting at Abilene Christian University with two tracks, General Accounting and Analytics and Reporting, and the option to start the M.Acc. in senior year.
- 59% graduation rate
- Program Score 82.5
- $43,900 in-state tuition
- Two tracks and early M.Acc. start
Abilene Christian University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting through its Department of Accounting in the College of Business Administration. The degree totals 128 credit hours: 56 university hours and 72 major hours. Students choose between two tracks, General Accounting and Analytics and Reporting. The page lists hands-on options including semester-long internships, a student accounting organization, Meet the Firm Night for networking with public accounting firms, academic research, and the chance to start the graduate M.Acc. degree early, during the senior year. ACU does not offer a minor in accounting. Listed career options include corporate accountant, internal auditor, financial analyst and tax professional.
Federal data show a 59% graduation rate at ACU and an admit rate of 66%. Tuition is $43,900 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The Program Score of 82.5 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. The program fits students who want a private, faith-based campus, a structured accounting plan and an early path into a master's degree. The 59% graduation rate is worth weighing against the support the school describes.
University of North Texas
Denton, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 61%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- In-state
- $8,319
- Out-of-state
- $18,159
University of North Texas's accounting BBA covers financial and managerial accounting, internal auditing, tax and accounting systems in a 120-credit, four-year plan.
- Program Score 82.4
- 61% graduation rate
- $8,319 in-state tuition
- Tax, audit and accounting systems
The University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting through the G. Brint Ryan College of Business and its Department of Accounting. It is a 120-credit-hour, on-campus major designed to take about four years. The school says students gain business fundamentals in finance, economics and data analytics along with depth in financial accounting, managerial accounting, internal auditing, tax and accounting systems. Skills listed include financial statement analysis, advanced Excel, ethics and teamwork. The department describes a "learn today, apply tomorrow" philosophy with flexible scheduling and different methods of course delivery. Career paths named include certified public accountant, corporate accountant, forensic accountant and internal auditor.
The program has a Program Score of 82.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. UNT admits 72% of applicants and graduates 61% of students. In-state tuition is $8,319 and out-of-state tuition is $18,159. The program fits students who want a broad accounting foundation at a large public university and who plan to pursue CPA licensure, audit or corporate accounting work after graduation.
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 59%
- Admit rate
- 38%
- In-state
- $36,340
- Out-of-state
- $36,340
LeTourneau University's accounting BBA runs 121 credit hours and weaves Biblically based ethics into the business curriculum.
- Program Score 82.2
- 59% graduation rate
- $36,340 tuition
- 121-credit on-ground BBA
LeTourneau University in Longview offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting delivered on the ground. The program totals 121 credit hours, and the school also offers an 18-hour accounting minor. The page describes instruction from faculty with both industry and classroom experience, and says students learn through projects, internships and study abroad programs. The curriculum is framed around ethics and integrity, anchored in what the school calls a Biblically based approach to decision-making across the business curriculum. The page also notes that, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, accounting is among the most sought-after bachelor's degrees, and the school says graduates are in demand with public, private and nonprofit employers.
The program has a Program Score of 82.2 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. LeTourneau admits 38% of applicants and graduates 59% of its students. Tuition is $36,340 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program suits students who want a faith-based setting, a campus experience and hands-on work such as internships, and who are prepared for a selective private-school price and a four-year, 121-hour accounting curriculum.
Saint Edward's University
Austin, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 63%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $50,484
- Out-of-state
- $50,484
Saint Edward's University's Accounting Information Technology program is a 150-hour dual-degree path awarding both a BBA in Accounting and a BA in Computer Information Technology.
- Program Score 78.8
- 63% graduation rate
- $50,484 tuition
- 150-hour dual-degree program
Saint Edward's University in Austin offers an Accounting Information Technology program that awards two degrees: a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Technology. The school describes it as a 150-hour program, which fits the credit threshold many states set for CPA licensure. The major requires 97 hours of coursework plus 44 hours of general education. Courses include Accounting Information Systems, Database Theory and Applications, and Web Programming. Students can complete internships at Big Four and regional firms, including a full-time busy season internship from January to March, and join the Accounting Club. The school reports that students have become CPAs and Certified Fraud Examiners.
The program has a Program Score of 78.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. St. Edward's admits 81% of applicants and graduates 63% of students. Tuition is $50,484 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits students who want accounting and technology skills together and are willing to take a longer, 150-hour plan with careful scheduling around internships.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas
The median school on this list graduates 73% of its students. The highest rates belong to The University of Texas at Austin (89%) and Texas Christian University (86%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 The University of Texas at Austin89% graduation rate
- #4 Texas Christian University86% graduation rate
- #2 Texas A&M University-College Station84% 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 Texas?
On this list, 4 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Trinity University at 26%.
- #5 Trinity University26% admitted
- #1 The University of Texas at Austin27% admitted
- #11 LeTourneau University38% 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 Texas
This list holds 6 public and 6 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 89.5 public and 87.7 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.
Where the Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas Are
The 12 ranked schools are spread across 11 cities. Austin (2) is the only one with more than one ranked school.
Main campus city as reported to IPEDS.
Campus Size Across the Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas
Enrollment on this list runs from 2,687 at Trinity University to 78,321 at Texas A&M University-College Station. Of the 12, 7 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 Texas Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The University of Texas at AustinUT Austin | $105,143 | $18,554 |
| #2 | Texas A&M University-College StationTexas A&M | $103,662 | $21,527 |
| #3 | Baylor UniversityBaylor | $102,011 | $44,441 |
| #4 | Texas Christian UniversityTCU | $101,938 | $35,045 |
| #5 | Trinity UniversityTrinity | $96,844 | $22,962 |
| #6 | The University of Texas at DallasUT Dallas | $82,629 | $15,271 |
| #7 | Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech | $89,891 | $19,890 |
| #8 | University of HoustonUH | $84,668 | $11,439 |
| #9 | Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene Christian | $93,032 | $27,943 |
| #10 | University of North TexasNorth Texas | $79,124 | $15,358 |
| #12 | Saint Edward's UniversitySaint Edward's | $83,957 | $26,034 |
Four years out, medians on this list run from $79,124 at North Texas to $105,143 at UT Austin.
UT Austin leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
After grants, the average undergraduate pays least at UH, $11,439 a year, and most at Baylor, $44,441.
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 Texas
Tuition for a bachelor of accounting among the 13 Texas programs in this ranking runs from $8,319 a year at the University of North Texas to $61,650 a year at Texas Christian University, a $53,331 annual gap. Multiply by four years and the spread widens to real money: a University of North Texas degree runs about $33,276 in tuition alone, while a Texas Christian University degree runs about $246,600, a difference of $213,324.
Public in-state options cluster at the bottom of that range. Texas Tech University charges $8,935 in-state, University of Houston charges $8,685, and Texas A&M University-College Station charges $9,092. All three sit under $10,000 a year, which over four years lands between $34,740 and $36,368 in total tuition, about one-sixth of what Trinity University's $53,352 annual rate costs over the same span ($213,408).
Run the payback math against the national median: the BLS reports an $87,660 median salary for accountants and auditors. A $33,276 total tuition bill at the University of North Texas equals about 4.6 months of that national median salary. A $246,600 bill at Texas Christian University equals about 2 years and 10 months of it. Neither number is a guaranteed return, salaries vary by employer, city, and role, but the tuition side of the ledger is fixed and worth pricing before enrolling in any of the accounting programs on this list.
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.
How to Become a CPA in Texas
SB 262 gave Texas a Pathway B on August 1, 2026: a bachelor's and 120 hours with two years of non-routine accounting work supervised by a CPA, beside Pathway A's 150 hours and one year. Pathway B certification also needs 27 upper-level accounting hours.
| Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pathway B: a bachelor's and 120 semester hours | 2 years | Available since August 2026 |
| Pathway A: 150 semester hours | 1 year | Available |
To sit for the exam: 120 semester hours with a bachelor's, 24 upper-level accounting and 21 upper-level business hours, and an ethics course. 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 Texas 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 Texas 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.
Why AACSB Accreditation Matters for Bachelor's in Accounting Programs
Accreditation is the first filter any accounting programs Texas students shortlist need to clear. Regional accreditation (through SACSCOC for Texas schools) is the baseline every school on this list already holds; it is what makes federal financial aid and transfer credit possible. The more specific signal for accounting programs is business-school accreditation from AACSB or, for smaller programs, the ACBSP.
AACSB accreditation, and its separate accounting-specific accreditation track, is held by a minority of business schools nationally, and it typically signals research-active faculty, assessed learning outcomes, and curriculum aligned with what state boards expect for CPA-track coursework. It is not part of the Program Score used in this ranking, which is built from graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes data reported to IPEDS, so verify accreditation status for any specific Texas program directly through AACSB's public database before enrolling.
Accreditation does not guarantee a specific graduation rate or salary outcome, and it is not a substitute for checking a program's own cost and completion numbers, the same numbers this ranking uses to separate the accounting programs in Texas that convert enrollment into a completed, accredited accounting degree from those that do not.
What Sets the Top Bachelor's in Accounting Programs in Texas Apart
The five highest-scoring accounting programs in Texas combine strong graduation rates with moderate-to-high cost, in that order of what actually separates them. The University of Texas at Austin leads at a 98 Program Score with an 89% graduation rate on $11,688 in-state tuition, the highest graduation rate of any school in the ranking. Texas A&M University-College Station follows at a 96 score, an 84% graduation rate, and the second-lowest tuition among the top five at $9,092.
Baylor University (93.5 score, 80% graduation rate, $58,100 tuition), Texas Christian University (92.9 score, 86% graduation rate, $61,650 tuition), and Trinity University (92.8 score, 84% graduation rate, $53,352 tuition) round out the top five. All three are private nonprofit schools charging five to six times what the public flagships above them charge, and all three post graduation rates within 9 points of UT Austin's 89%, evidence that a higher price does not automatically buy a proportionally higher completion rate.
Further down the list, cost separates from outcome more sharply. The University of North Texas charges the lowest in-state tuition in the ranking, $8,319, but posts a 61% graduation rate, 28 points below UT Austin. Texas Tech University (69% graduation rate, $8,935 tuition) and University of Houston (65% graduation rate, $8,685 tuition) sit in similar territory: low cost, but a real completion-rate tradeoff a prospective accounting major should weigh against a school's advising resources and cohort size before enrolling.
Online and Accelerated Bachelor's in Accounting Programs in Texas
Online and hybrid degree-completion tracks are increasingly common at public universities nationally, including in Texas, but this ranking's tuition and graduation-rate figures reflect each school's primary in-state, on-campus rate as reported to IPEDS. Confirm directly with each school's admissions office whether a specific accounting program offers an online or hybrid track, since online tuition rates and residency requirements can differ from the on-campus figures used here.
Accelerated paths, combined bachelor's/master's programs, or dual-enrollment credit brought in from high school, are the most common ways students close the 30-hour gap between a standard bachelor of accounting and the 150 hours of Texas's Pathway A without adding a full extra year of tuition. Ask any admissions office directly for both the accelerated-track tuition total and the standard four-year total before comparing accounting programs on cost alone.
Employers and state boards do not distinguish between an online and an on-campus accounting degree once a program carries the same institutional accreditation; what they check is the transcript, the credit-hour count, and, ultimately, CPA exam results. A prospective student choosing between online and on-campus accounting programs in Texas should weigh format against the same graduation-rate and cost numbers used everywhere else in this ranking, not treat format as a separate category of quality.
- #2 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX
- #9 Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Accounting Salaries and Job Outlook Nationally
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports an $87,660 national median annual wage for accountants and auditors. That figure is national, not specific to Texas or to any single school in this ranking, and it is the same number whether a graduate comes from a $33,276 total-tuition program or a $246,600 one, which is exactly why the cost side of choosing among accounting programs in Texas matters as much as the outcomes side.
Use the $87,660 median as a planning benchmark, not a promise: actual pay varies by employer, city, specialization (audit, tax, forensic, management accounting), and whether a graduate holds an active CPA license. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program breaks that national figure down by metro area and industry for anyone who wants Texas-specific, or Dallas-, Houston-, or Austin-specific, detail beyond the single national number used here.
A CPA license does not appear automatically with an accounting degree; it requires passing the CPA exam and meeting one of the pathways described above. Graduates of the accounting programs ranked here who complete that additional step are the ones most likely to see pay above the $87,660 national median, since licensure, not the bachelor's degree alone, is what most public accounting employers price into starting offers.
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Accounting Bachelor's Programs in Texas: Your Questions, Answered
How long does it take to earn an accounting bachelor's degree in Texas?
Is an online bachelor of accounting respected by employers in Texas?
How much does an accounting bachelor's degree cost at a Texas public university?
What is the CPA path in Texas after graduation?
Which Texas accounting programs have the highest graduation rates?
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)
- Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, new pathway for CPA exam and certification