The Best MAcc Programs for 2027: Master's in Accounting, Ranked

The University of Texas at Austin offers the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) through McCombs as a one-year, STEM-designated specialized master's degree. The school describes three formats. The Traditional MPA is open to UT and non-UT students who hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline, with no work experience required. The MPA Bridge lets current UT undergraduates start MPA courses during their senior year alongside a non-accounting bachelor's. The Integrated MPA lets McCombs students earn a BBA in accounting and the MPA together by taking several graduate courses at undergraduate rates. Core classes build the accounting foundation, MBA electives in finance, management, information technology and marketing round out the degree, and the program lists study abroad courses in Prague and one-on-one career coaching. The school reports that 98% of the Class of 2025 received job offers after graduation.

The program has a Program Score of 97.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. UT Austin graduates 89% of its students within the federal measurement window and admits 27% of applicants, so the university is selective. That makes the MPA a fit for students with a strong undergraduate record who want a fast route into accounting practice, including those whose bachelor's degree is in another field. The program also suits students who want the accounting coursework that supports CPA exam preparation, which the school says it lays the groundwork for.

The University of Pennsylvania offers an MBA with an Accounting major through the Wharton School. The page says the major focuses on the user of accounting data, with most courses stressing concepts, procedures and applications so students understand how accounting information is generated and how reliable it is in analysis. Majors choose four course units from options such as Cost Management, Financial Reporting and Business Analysis, Accounting for Mergers, Acquisitions and Complex Financial Structures, Taxes and Business Strategy, and Valuation. The core accounting courses are prerequisites and do not count toward the major. The MBA totals 19 course units, with a 9.5-unit core and 5.5 units of electives. The department says its flexible curriculum lets interested students take the courses needed toward CPA or CMA certification, and that state requirements usually exceed the major minimum, so students should consult the Accounting Department adviser early.

Penn graduates 97% of its students and admits 5% of applicants. The Program Score is 97.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The program suits students who want to interpret and use financial data in management, consulting or finance roles, and those who intend to pursue CPA coursework alongside the MBA and can plan their electives with an adviser.

New York University's Stern's Master of Science in Accounting is a full-time, in-person program of 30 credits designed for recent college graduates and young professionals. The school says it prepares students to sit for the New York State CPA exam and meet licensure requirements in one year. There is a fall intake, and students graduate at the start of summer. Faculty cover tax, audit, assurance, valuation and financial analysis, and the page notes that many are practicing CPAs or accounting professionals. The school reports AACSB accreditation and cites a 2026 U.S. News and World Report specialty ranking for its accounting department. Scholarships are available, and the page stresses face-to-face classroom interaction and the advantages of studying in New York City.

New York University is a private nonprofit university in New York City. About 88% of students graduate, and the school admits 9% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 96.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting graduates who want to meet CPA credit requirements quickly and can study full time on campus.

The University of Notre Dame's Master of Science in Accountancy is a one-year program at the Mendoza College of Business: two semesters and 30 total credit hours, with starts in mid-August or January. Students choose a STEM-designated major in Data Analytics or the traditional MSA path, and can add a concentration in Tax Services and Assurance or Advisory Services, with a second concentration in Deal and Advisory for mergers and acquisitions work. About 60 percent of the curriculum is elective, so students can take extra accounting courses, finance courses alongside MBA students, or analytics work. The school reports that 99% of students accepted job offers within six months of graduation in 2025 and credits the Public Accounting Report with placing the program among the top four MSA and MAcc programs.

Federal data show a 95% graduation rate and an 11% admit rate at Notre Dame, so admission is highly selective. The program earns a Program Score of 96.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a fast, customizable route to the educational requirements for CPA certification, or who want to pair accounting with data analytics.

Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business offers a full-time Master of Science in Accounting designed for students with a U.S. undergraduate degree in accounting. According to the page, it can be completed in seven months, with a summer entry term, and provides the 150 credits required to sit for the CPA exam. Students take 18 credits of advanced accounting courses aligned with CPA exam topics, then choose an Audit or Tax track with 12 credits of specialized coursework. The audit track covers ethics, auditing research and forensic accounting, while the tax track covers tax law and strategy at the local, national and international levels. The school says the curriculum was shaped by top firms and that graduates can start during busy season.

Northeastern reports a 91% graduation rate and admits about 5% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 95.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting majors who want to reach CPA licensure credits quickly, as well as students who plan to stack credits toward a D'Amore-McKim MBA.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's Master of Accountancy sits inside the School of Business's Department of Accounting and Information Systems, one of the first five business programs founded in the country, in 1900. Any student with a four-year undergraduate degree in any field can apply, with no accounting background or prior work experience required, and the 54-credit curriculum splits into two named options: Accounting, Assurance, Advisory or Tax. Most students complete a public or corporate accounting internship, and the program threads an ethics and professionalism sequence through every course to prepare graduates for the CPA exam. One fact matters more than any ranking for anyone reading this in 2026: UW-Madison stopped admitting new MAcc students after Fall 2025 and will discontinue the program entirely by Fall 2028, so this profile documents a program that is winding down, not one accepting applications today.

For the students who did get in, the numbers were strong. IPEDS data puts the graduation rate at 90% against a 45% admit rate, and that mix of high completion and real selectivity helped earn a 95.9 Program Score, good for #9 nationally in this ranking. In-state tuition ran $10,006 against $40,506 out-of-state, a $30,500 gap, meaning out-of-state students paid roughly four times what Wisconsin residents did for the same degree. UW-Madison enrolls 51,044 students overall, a large public flagship recruiting base even as this specific program winds down. The MAcc carried AACSB accreditation with its next review set for 2026-2027, and it met CPA licensure coursework requirements in every state except California, Texas, and Colorado, where graduates needed a separate board-approved ethics course. It was the right fit for Wisconsin residents chasing a low-cost, high-completion CPA credential, but that door is now closed to new applicants.

The University of Georgia offers a Master of Accountancy through the J.M. Tull School of Accounting in the Terry College of Business. The school describes the program as top-ranked and reports a top 10 CPA pass rate and nearly 100% employment. Its central pitch is time: MAcc students have the time and resources to study for, sit for and pass the CPA exam during the program, and the page says licensure then requires only one year of relevant experience. The school also says MAcc graduates tend to advance faster within their firms and move more easily into industry roles where an advanced degree is preferred. The page presents the degree as a quicker route to licensure than working first.

Federal data show a 90% graduation rate and a 38% admit rate at the University of Georgia. The program carries a Program Score of 95.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits UGA and other accounting undergraduates who want to finish the CPA while studying full time, and those who prefer a one-year credential before entering a firm.

Vanderbilt University's Master of Accountancy is a 12-month, full-time, in-person program in Nashville. The school offers two distinct tracks, MAcc Assurance and MAcc Valuation, and the curriculum is built around preparing students for the CPA exam. The page describes a paid internship opportunity, dedicated career coaching and recruiting partnerships aimed at the Big 4 and other firms. Vanderbilt reports that 100% of graduates accepted an offer within six months, that most start at KPMG, Deloitte, PwC or EY, and that the five-year average first-time CPA pass rate is 91%. It also says most graduates reach manager level in about five years.

Federal data show a 94% graduation rate at Vanderbilt and an admit rate of 6%, so admission is highly selective. The Program Score of 95.1 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. The accelerated one-year format suits students who already hold a bachelor's degree, want to finish quickly and have the CPA license as the goal. Applicants who need a part-time or online route will not find one here, since the program is full-time and on campus.

Vanderbilt University offers this accounting degree as a Master of Accountancy. The program is a 12-month, full-time, in-person program in Nashville. The school offers two distinct tracks, MAcc Assurance and MAcc Valuation, and the curriculum is built around preparing students for the CPA exam. The page describes a paid internship opportunity, dedicated career coaching and recruiting partnerships aimed at the Big 4 and other firms. Vanderbilt reports that 100% of graduates accepted an offer within six months, that most start at KPMG, Deloitte, PwC or EY, and that the five-year average first-time CPA pass rate is 91%. It also says most graduates reach manager level in about five years.

Federal data show a 94% graduation rate at Vanderbilt and an admit rate of 6%, so admission is highly selective. The Program Score of 95.0 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. The accelerated one-year format suits students who already hold a bachelor's degree, want to finish quickly and have the CPA license as the goal. Applicants who need a part-time or online route will not find one here, since the program is full-time and on campus.

The Master of Science in Accounting at Texas A&M University-College Station is a non-thesis degree taken after a bachelor's. The James Benjamin Department of Accounting offers a standalone in-person program where students pick a specialization in audit or taxation, along with a Flex Online MS in Accounting that is fully online and designed for working professionals. The catalog describes the in-person program as requiring coursework in College Station and lists the usual employers for graduates: public accounting firms providing assurance and tax services, corporations, financial institutions, consulting firms and government. Students form an advisory committee and complete a degree plan, and the page states the program does not offer a thesis option.

The university graduates 84% of its students and admits 57% of applicants. The program holds a Program Score of 94 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a focused accounting master's with a defined audit or tax emphasis, and professionals who need the flexibility of an online format. Those who prefer research-heavy study should note that no thesis path exists.

University of Central Florida's Master of Science in Accounting is offered by the Dixon School of Accounting and is listed at one to two years. With the appropriate undergraduate prerequisite work, the school says the degree satisfies the education requirements to become a licensed CPA in Florida. Students choose from three specializations: Assurance, aimed at auditing in public accounting or internal audit, Taxation, for tax professionals and consultants, and Management, which uses accounting data for decision making and internal controls. Coursework includes Ethics and Professionalism in Accounting and Auditing, Accounting Theory and Advanced Accounting Information Systems, and independent research is presented as a written report, case analysis or oral presentation. UCF reports that both the Dixon School and the College of Business hold separate AACSB accreditation.

Federal data show a 78% graduation rate at UCF and an admit rate of 40%. The program earned a Program Score of 93.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting graduates and career changers with the needed prerequisites who are working toward CPA licensure and want to focus on audit, tax or management accounting. Application deadlines are July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring and April 1 for summer.

Clemson University's Master of Professional Accountancy, or MPAcc, is a one-year, 30-hour master's program that includes an integrated CPA review. The page says it is designed for students who want to become certified public accountants and who are preparing for careers in public and private accounting. Admission decisions weigh academic transcripts, a GMAT score, a resume, a personal statement, work experience and letters of recommendation. The School no longer sets minimum requirements, though the page says applicants with less than a 530 GMAT and a 3.0 overall and upper-level accounting GPA are generally not admitted. Deadlines are December 31 for fall and September 30 for spring, and a program coordinator handles inquiries.

Federal data show an 87% university graduation rate and a 38% admit rate, so Clemson is selective. The program's Program Score is 93.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The MPAcc fits students with an accounting background who want to finish the education side of CPA licensure in a single year, and who can bring a competitive GMAT and grade record. The built-in CPA review means exam preparation is part of the coursework instead of a separate commitment afterward.

The University of Connecticut offers a Master of Science in Accounting through its School of Business, delivered 100% online. The degree is 30 credits and is built to supply the additional accounting credit hours required for CPA licensure. Rather than a fixed track, the school says students choose from a wide range of electives to match their interests. Start terms are fall, spring and summer, and a GMAT waiver is available. The school has run the program online since 2003 and reports specialized AACSB accounting accreditation. UConn also lists an accelerated option that lets undergraduate accounting majors take up to four MSA courses early, plus graduate certificates in accounting fundamentals and accounting analytics.

UConn graduates 83% of its students and admits 52% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 93.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. The online format and three start dates a year suit working professionals who cannot attend evening classes in Storrs, career changers who need the accounting coursework for licensure, and current accounting majors who want to shorten the path to a master's degree. Applicants should confirm each state board's current credit rules before assuming 30 credits completes the requirement.

Texas A&M University-College Station runs its Master of Science in Accounting through the James Benjamin Department of Accounting. The degree is non-thesis and students enter after finishing a bachelor's degree. The traditional in-person version lets students choose a specialization in audit or taxation, and those students must be able to complete coursework in College Station. A separate Flex Online MS in Accounting is delivered fully online and is aimed at working professionals who want to advance in accounting or move into it from another field. The catalog notes that graduates work in public accounting firms, business firms, financial institutions, consulting and government, and that some become accounting educators.

The university graduates 84% of its students and admits 57% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 93.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits career changers who need the online route, and recent graduates who want a specialized audit or tax track delivered on campus. Applicants choosing the in-person format should plan to be in College Station for coursework.

Indiana University-Bloomington offers a Master of Science in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA) at the Kelley School of Business. It is a one-year, 30-credit program that integrates data analytics with advanced accounting, and the school describes it as STEM designated. The curriculum teaches students to apply data-driven approaches and technology tools to business problems, and it emphasizes experiential learning with real clients. The school says completing the degree meets the educational requirements to apply for the CPA exam in Indiana, and it advises students to check other jurisdictions. Kelley reports that 100% of MSADA graduates receive job offers within 90 days of graduation, that more than 175 companies recruit its graduate students each year, and that more than half of admitted students receive merit-based awards.

IU Bloomington has an 80% graduation rate and a 78% admit rate. The program has a Program Score of 93.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who already hold an undergraduate degree in accounting or a related field and want advanced analytics skills in a single year, as well as international students who value the STEM designation and its extended work authorization. The job-offer and recruiting figures are the school's own, so they are worth confirming with the program office, as are the admission rounds and deadlines.

The Master of Accountancy at George Washington University's School of Business is a 30-credit program for part-time or full-time study on campus. The school says it prepares students for CPA certification and for work in auditing, tax, forensic accounting, advanced accounting or management. Core topics include financial reporting, auditing, taxation, budgeting, financial statement analysis and data analytics for accounting. Electives include fraud examination and forensic accounting, government accounting, government auditing, nonprofit accounting and federal income taxation. A related Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics is also offered. Full-time students are expected to finish in under two years, and the page lists a 4+1 option for GW undergraduates and the chance to earn a graduate certificate with elective credits. Entry is in fall or spring, and class sizes are described as under 30 students.

GW graduates 84% of its students and admits 47% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 93.2 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting graduates who want the coursework to support the CPA exam, and career changers who want a focus on government, forensic or analytics work in a school located in Washington, D.C. Applicants can choose between the standard track and the analytics version.

Boston College's Master of Science in Accounting sits in the Carroll School of Management and is designated STEM, so every student takes six STEM courses rather than choosing a track. The core is 30 credit hours: Accounting Information Systems, two Financial Accounting Practice courses, Financial Auditing, Federal Taxation, Financial Statement Analysis, Assurance and Consulting Services, and Forensic Accounting. Students begin in September and finish in May or August, depending on course load, and the page lists 9 to 12 months of study. Applicants without an accounting background are welcome, though they may need up to 13 courses instead of the minimum 11. The school also says its graduates' first-time CPA exam pass rate is more than 30% above the national average.

Boston College graduates 91% of its students and admits 16% of applicants, so entry is selective. This program carries a Program Score of 93.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format is full-time and on campus, and it fits people who hold a bachelor's degree, with or without accounting coursework, and want a compact route into audit, tax or forensic work. Students planning the CPA exam should check their state's requirements, since the program page notes they vary by state.

Pennsylvania State University's Smeal College of Business offers a master's degree in accounting built around the 150 credit hours most states, including Pennsylvania, require for CPA licensure. There are two options for that requirement. The Integrated MAcc is for Smeal accounting majors, who apply early in the spring of their second year, start the master's coursework in the fall of the third year and graduate by May of the fifth year with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in accounting. The One-Year Master of Accounting is for students who already hold a bachelor's degree from Penn State or elsewhere, and the earliest application is in the fall of the undergraduate fourth year. It runs fall, spring and summer and ends with the degree in August. The page says MAcc students intern with firms including Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC.

Federal data shows an 86% graduation rate and a 61% admit rate at Penn State's main campus. The Program Score of 93.2 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The program fits students who want to reach the CPA credit requirement in one extra year, whether they are already Smeal accounting majors or have finished an undergraduate degree elsewhere.

San Diego State University's Master of Science in Accountancy sits in the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy within the Fowler College of Business. The page describes a 30-unit program that can be completed in 12 to 18 months, with small classes and four accountancy specializations listed. Students choose a track such as accounting information systems, financial reporting or taxation by selecting a customized set of courses, with a minimum of 14 elective units in the track. The accountancy core includes business entity taxation, managerial analysis and financial reporting, accounting research and communication, and AIS development. The page says the program meets education requirements for the CPA exam in California, and notes that the university does not determine whether the curriculum meets requirements in any other state.

Federal data show San Diego State graduates 76% of its students and admits 36% of applicants. The program has a Program Score of 93 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want the coursework needed to sit for the CPA exam and a focused specialty, whether in systems, reporting or tax. Applicants without an undergraduate business degree from an AACSB accredited school may need to complete business prerequisites first, and those units do not count toward the degree.

The Isenberg School of Management at University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers a Master of Science in Accounting. The school describes it as the top-ranked program in New England and one of a select few to hold AACSB accreditation in accounting, and these are the school's own claims. The curriculum is team-based and built around hands-on problem solving, taught by faculty the page describes as internationally recognized in accounting and auditing. The school states that the knowledge gained fulfills the educational requirements to become a licensed certified public accountant in Massachusetts. Applicants submit an online application, a personal statement, a resume, two letters of recommendation and transcripts, plus a GMAT or GRE General Test score, though waivers may apply. Fall, spring and summer starts are listed.

Federal figures for UMass Amherst show an 83% graduation rate and a 60% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 93 out of 100, the basis of its ranking here. It fits students who want to build toward CPA licensure in Massachusetts, accounting graduates who prefer a team-oriented classroom, and career changers who are ready to prepare for a test score as part of the application. Prospective students should note that the page lists the program with three start terms, which gives some scheduling flexibility.

The Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a Master of Accountancy that the school describes as a 10-month commitment starting each fall. It prepares students for careers in assurance, taxes, financial transactions and advisory services, with concentrations in Audit and Controls, Information Management and Taxation. The program has received STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the school reports that 100% of students receive financial support. Haslam reports 100% job placement at graduation, with 78% at national public firms and more than half going to Big Four firms, and says the program has the top CPA pass rate among Tennessee public institutions. Students attend the Neel Corporate Governance Speaker Series each semester, which has featured public accounting leaders, CFOs, PCAOB board members and SEC commissioners.

Tennessee graduates 74% of its students and admits 42% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 92.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a short, full-time, in-person route to public accounting and are comfortable with a competitive admissions pool.

Trinity University's Master of Science in Accounting is a nine-month, two-semester program that begins each fall. The page describes it as the capstone to undergraduate accounting study, developing technical, theoretical and interpersonal skills. The school reports 100% job placement with prominent employers after completion and exemplary first-time pass rates on the CPA exam. Students can be awarded FASB and GASB Postgraduate Technical Assistantships. Sample courses include Spreadsheet Based Modeling and Data Analysis, Accounting Theory, Advanced Managerial Accounting and Conflict Management. The program sits in the Neidorff School of Business, which Poets&Quants named a 2025 Undergraduate Business School to Watch. The page frames the year as preparation for both the profession and the licensing exam.

The Program Score is 92.9 out of 100, the basis of this program's ranking. Trinity reports an 84% graduation rate and a 26% admit rate, so admission is highly selective. The program fits accounting undergraduates who want a short, exam-focused year of graduate study at a small university of about 2,700 students, with the CPA exam and a first accounting job as the near-term goals.