The Best Master's in Accounting Programs in Connecticut for 2027
Key Points: Best Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut
- University of Connecticut ranks #1 in Connecticut on a 93.6 Program Score, with an 83% graduation rate.
- Fairfield University graduates the most students on this list (84%), from #2.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Programs analyzed
- 10
- Average graduation rate
- 61%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $94,160
The best master's in accounting in Connecticut spans a wide cost range: in-state tuition among the 10 ranked programs analyzed in Connecticut runs from $6,998 at Central Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University to $57,450 at Fairfield University, a $50,452 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. That $6,998 figure is the cheapest strong-value entry on the list, not just the cheapest overall: Central Connecticut State University still posts a Program Score of 81.8, fourth-highest on the list.
Graduation rate tells the other half of the story. Across all 10 programs, the average graduation rate is 61%, but the spread runs from 25% at Post University to 84% at Fairfield University. University of Connecticut leads the overall ranking with a 93.6 Program Score, an 83% graduation rate, and $17,010 in-state tuition, a middle-of-the-pack price that outperforms cheaper and pricier competitors alike on outcomes. A master of accountancy, or MAcc, is a common path to the extra credit hours behind Connecticut's one-year CPA experience route, so cost, accreditation, and completion rate all carry direct weight on the return a graduate sees.
This guide breaks down what the top accounting programs in Connecticut cost, how they handle CPA licensure and accreditation, and where online and accelerated formats fit, using only the real, per-school figures behind the ranking.
The Top Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut at a Glance
Connecticut leads at 93.6, and Post closes the chart at 67.6. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut 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 10 Best Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut, Ranked for 2027
The 10 best Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut, ranked by outcomes.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 52%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Connecticut's Master of Science in Accounting has been taught fully online since 2003 and covers the 30 credits many CPA candidates need toward the 150-hour requirement.
- 83% graduation rate
- Program Score 93.6
- 100% online, 30 credits
- Fall, spring and summer starts
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.
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 33%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Fairfield University's 12-month MS in Accounting offers assurance, business analytics and taxation tracks, with time set aside to sit the CPA exam and complete paid internships.
- 84% graduation rate
- Program Score 92.4
- 12-month full-time MS
- Assurance, analytics or tax track
Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business offers a 30-credit Master of Science in Accounting taught on campus in Fairfield. Students pick one of three tracks: assurance, business analytics or taxation. Coursework includes accounting for governments, hospitals and universities, ethics, financial statement analysis and entity taxation. The school says the degree addresses the educational requirements of most states for CPA certification and includes time off to take the CPA exam and complete paid internships. It is a full-time, 12-month program with spring and summer starts and rolling applications. Fairfield also offers a 4+1 route for its own undergraduates, who can begin graduate coursework before earning the bachelor's degree and finish the master's in one more year.
Fairfield graduates 84% of its students and admits 33% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 92.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The full-time, on-campus format fits recent graduates and career changers who can commit a year to study, and the location about an hour from New York City gives access to internship opportunities the school encourages.
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 73%
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Sacred Heart University's 30-credit MS in Accounting runs one year in a hybrid format with no GRE or GMAT required.
- 73% graduation rate
- Program Score 88
- One-year hybrid format
- Forensic and tax concentrations
Sacred Heart University's MS in Accounting is a 30-credit program that the page says takes one year. It is delivered in a hybrid format, with online courses and monthly Saturday seminars, and starts in fall or spring. No GRE or GMAT is required. Students choose between two concentrations: Forensic Accounting, which covers fraud detection, compliance and legal support, and Tax Compliance & Planning, which covers state and federal tax law for individuals and businesses. The school says the curriculum is aligned with the new CPA exam, that the 30 credits can help complete the 150 hours needed for licensure, and that students may be eligible to receive Becker CPA review through the program. The college is accredited by AACSB, according to the school.
Sacred Heart graduates 73% of its students and admits 65% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 88 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals and recent accounting graduates who want a short, flexible route to the credit total for CPA licensure and a specialty in forensic or tax work. The school also reports that 100% of graduates accepted a job offer within one year of graduation.
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT · Public
- Grad rate
- 48%
- Admit rate
- 73%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
The M.S. in Accounting emphasizes analytics and technology and lets students attend full or part time with evening classes on campus and online.
- Program Score 81.8
- 48% graduation rate
- 73% admit rate
- 30 credits, full or part time
Central Connecticut State University's Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-credit program designed to give students in-depth working knowledge of advanced accounting issues and emerging technologies. Students can study full or part time, and classes are offered in the evening on campus and online, with start dates in January, May and August. The curriculum covers the theory behind accounting standards, fund accounting, audit planning, risk analysis, assessing internal control and presenting audit findings. The page says the degree meets the education requirements for CPA licensure in Connecticut and emphasizes analytics, including the newly identified disciplines in the 2024 licensure model. Learning outcomes center on advanced accounting competence, research skills, communication and ethical reasoning. The business school is an AACSB member, according to the page.
Central Connecticut admits 73% of applicants, and 48% of students graduate. The program earns a Program Score of 81.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a public-university route to CPA eligibility with an analytics focus and a schedule that can work around a day job.
University of New Haven
West Haven, CT · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 63%
- Admit rate
- 60%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of New Haven's MS in Accounting offers four concentrations, including a STEM-certified accounting analytics option, taught in small classes.
- 63% graduation rate
- Program Score 80.6
- Four concentrations
- STEM-certified analytics option
The University of New Haven's Pompea College of Business offers a Master of Science in Accounting with four concentrations: accounting analytics, corporate accounting, forensic accounting and taxation. The page describes the analytics concentration as STEM-certified, which the school says offers international students up to 36 months of OPT, and the forensic concentration draws on courses from the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. The program is 36 to 39 credits, including 6 prerequisite credits that may be waived, and takes 1.5 to 2 years. Classes are small and use case studies and simulations, and an internship director and career advisor support placement. The school reports AACSB accreditation and runs small, case-based classes with practical exercises.
New Haven graduates 63% of its students and admits 60% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 80.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The concentrations let students aim at the CPA path, corporate leadership, fraud work or data-driven accounting, which suits both accounting graduates and career changers.
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Quinnipiac University's on-campus MS in Accounting is built around the 150-hour CPA requirement, with an optional business analytics concentration.
- 76% graduation rate
- Program Score 76.6
- 150-hour CPA path
- Dual-degree 4+1 and 3+1 options
Quinnipiac University's Master of Science in Accounting is an on-campus program in the School of Business. The page says the coursework is meant to help students prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination, including in states that require 150 education hours for licensure, and it reminds students to confirm their own state's rules. Faculty cover public policy, corporate governance, financial analysis, taxation and global accounting practices. Students can take electives to complete an optional concentration in business analytics. Quinnipiac also describes dual-degree BS/MS options in 4+1 and accelerated 3+1 formats, and a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance clinic where students help local residents file returns under the guidance of CPA faculty.
Quinnipiac graduates 76% of its students and admits 72% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 76.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a residential master's that closes the credit gap to 150 hours and who value career fairs and networking events that the school says bring in Big 4 firms, other CPA and consulting firms, regulators and investment banks. Students already in a Quinnipiac business major can plan the accelerated route from the start.
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT · Public
- Grad rate
- 48%
- Admit rate
- 73%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
The 30-credit M.S. in Accounting starts three times a year and prepares students for CPA licensure in Connecticut.
- Program Score 74.9
- 48% graduation rate
- 73% admit rate
- Evening classes, three start dates
Central Connecticut State University offers a Master of Science in Accounting that is a 30-credit program. Students can attend full or part time, with evening classes offered on campus and online, and new cohorts start every January, May and August. The page says the program prepares students to meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure in Connecticut and is aligned with current CPA academic standards, including the disciplines in the 2024 licensure model. Coursework covers accounting theory, fund accounting, audit planning, risk analysis, internal control and audit reporting, with an emphasis on analytics and emerging technology. The school reports that major CPA employers recruit on campus. The Central School of Business is described as an accredited member of AACSB International.
Central Connecticut admits 73% of applicants, and 48% of students graduate. The program earns a Program Score of 74.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits working professionals and recent accounting graduates in Connecticut who want a flexible evening schedule and a path to the CPA exam.
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Hartford's online MS in Accounting and Taxation is 10 courses of seven weeks each and can be finished in less than a year.
- 54% graduation rate
- Program Score 71.2
- 100% online, 30 credits
- Six start dates a year
The University of Hartford's Barney School offers a Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation, delivered 100% online in seven-week courses. The degree is 30 credits (10 courses), available full time or part time, with six start dates a year, rolling admission and optional GMAT or GRE scores. The school says it meets the 120/150-hour CPA licensing requirement and qualifies graduates for the CPA and CMA exams. Required courses cover business taxation, emerging technology and control systems, financial reporting, accounting analytics and advanced auditing with data analytics and AI, plus three electives in areas such as forensics, estate planning or governmental accounting. Students without an accounting degree may apply and take foundation courses alongside the program. The school reports a 100% graduate placement rate and AACSB accreditation.
Hartford graduates 54% of its students and admits 96% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 71.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits future CPAs, career changers, and working professionals who want a short, flexible route to licensure coursework.
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 58%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Eastern Connecticut State University's online MS in Accounting is 30 credits and can be completed in 12 months through seven-week terms.
- 58% graduation rate
- Program Score 68.4
- Online, 30 credit hours
- Finish in 12 months full time
Eastern Connecticut State University offers an online Master of Science in Accounting delivered asynchronously in seven-week academic terms. The program is 30 credit hours and can be finished in 12 months by students who enroll full time without breaks, a timeline the school says varies with individual circumstances. The curriculum covers accounting information systems and financial reporting, assurance services, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, international accounting and taxation, with stated outcomes in critical thinking and professional responsibility. The school says the degree helps students meet the 150-hour educational requirement for CPA licensure. Admission asks for a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA, though work experience is considered below that, plus two references, a personal statement and a resume. Applicants without an accounting background may need prerequisite courses.
Eastern graduates 58% of its students and admits 83% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 68.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format fits working professionals who want to deepen accounting skills, career changers moving into the field, and those who need credits toward CPA eligibility without attending campus.
Post University
Waterbury, CT · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 25%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Post University's online MS in Accounting adds an optional 6-credit CPA track with six study labs to a 30 to 36 credit curriculum.
- Online, part-time friendly
- 30 to 36 credits
- Optional CPA track with six study labs
- Program Score 67.6
Post University offers a Master of Science in Accounting delivered fully online, with part-time study options for working professionals. The program runs 30 to 36 credits and typically takes 20 to 24 months. The page lists 18 credits of technical courses, 9 credits of management courses and a 3-credit capstone. Students who want to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination can add a 6-credit CPA track that includes personalized instructor support and six study labs. Topics named on the page include auditing, international accounting, taxation, nonprofit and governmental accounting, and enterprise risk management. The school reports programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Post is a private for-profit university with open admission, so the program does not screen applicants on an admit rate. Its overall graduation rate is 25%, a figure worth weighing against the flexibility of the online format. The program earns a Program Score of 67.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits working accountants who want graduate coursework on their own schedule and a structured path toward CPA exam preparation, and who are comfortable with a large online student body of about 16,000 enrolled across the university.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut
The median school on this list graduates 61% of its students. The highest rates belong to Fairfield University (84%) and University of Connecticut (83%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.
- #2 Fairfield University84% graduation rate
- #1 University of Connecticut83% graduation rate
- #6 Quinnipiac University76% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut?
On this list, 1 of 10 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Fairfield University at 33%.
- #2 Fairfield University33% admitted
- #1 University of Connecticut52% admitted
- #5 University of New Haven60% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut
This list holds 4 public, 5 private nonprofit, and 1 for-profit schools.
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 Master's Programs in Connecticut Are
The 10 ranked schools are spread across 8 cities. Fairfield (2) and New Britain (2) are the only ones with more than one ranked school.
Main campus city as reported to IPEDS.
Campus Size Across the Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut
Enrollment on this list runs from 4,355 at Eastern Connecticut State University to 28,306 at University of Connecticut. Of the 10, 1 enrolls 20,000 students or more and 1 enrolls fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of ConnecticutConnecticut | $113,488 |
| #2 | Fairfield UniversityFairfield | $117,339 |
| #3 | Sacred Heart UniversitySacred Heart | $117,457 |
| #4 | Central Connecticut State UniversityCentral Connecticut State | $103,777 |
| #7 | Central Connecticut State UniversityCentral Connecticut State | $103,777 |
| #8 | University of HartfordHartford | $109,816 |
| #10 | Post UniversityPost | $95,184 |
Four years out, medians on this list run from $95,184 at Post to $117,457 at Sacred Heart.
The highest-ranked school in the table, Connecticut (#1), reports $113,488, so the highest score and the highest pay are not the same school.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
What Connecticut's Top Accounting Programs Cost
Cost is the first filter for anyone comparing accounting programs in Connecticut. In-state tuition among the 10 ranked programs spans $6,998 to $57,450, a $50,452 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. The public options, Central Connecticut State University (scored twice, at 81.8 and 74.9) and Eastern Connecticut State University, all charge $6,998 in-state. Every private nonprofit on the list charges at least $45,644, with Fairfield University topping the field at $57,450.
That spread matters because a master of accountancy is a credential, not a guaranteed salary bump by itself. Accountants and auditors nationally earn a median $94,160 a year, according to BLS wage data. A student paying $6,998 at Central Connecticut State University recoups that tuition in well under a month at the national median salary. A student paying $57,450 at Fairfield University needs roughly six months of that same median salary just to cover tuition, before housing, books, or CPA exam prep. Neither number predicts what a specific Connecticut graduate will earn; both show why the tuition gap deserves scrutiny before enrollment.
Public in-state pricing is not automatic. Central Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University post the $6,998 figure for Connecticut residents; out-of-state applicants pay more. Confirm residency-based tuition before assuming the lowest sticker price on this list applies to you.
How to Become a CPA in Connecticut
Public Act 25-36 ended Connecticut's 150-hour mandate on October 1, 2025. A license now runs three ways: a bachelor's with an accounting concentration and two years of experience, a bachelor's plus 30 more semester hours with one year, or a graduate degree with one year.
| Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's with an accounting concentration | 2 years | Available since October 2025 |
| A bachelor's plus 30 semester hours, or a graduate degree | 1 year | Available |
To sit for the exam: 120 semester hours at the time of the exam; a finished degree is not required to sit. Every route also requires passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
A master's from this list puts a candidate on Connecticut's one-year route. It is no longer the only way in, though: a bachelor's and two years of experience now reaches the same license.
Checked against the Connecticut State Board of 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 a Master of Accountancy
AACSB accreditation is the most selective business-school accreditation in the country; fewer than 6% of the world's business programs hold it. Several of Connecticut's top-ranked schools, including University of Connecticut and Fairfield University, sit inside AACSB-accredited business schools, and separate accounting-specific AACSB accreditation is a further signal that a program's curriculum, faculty research output, and CPA-exam preparation meet a peer-reviewed bar.
ACBSP accreditation is the more common alternative among regional and smaller private accounting programs; it verifies teaching quality and curriculum standards without AACSB's research-intensity requirements. Neither accreditation guarantees a specific CPA pass rate or starting salary, but employers recruiting accountants and auditors use accreditation as a fast screen, and Connecticut's licensure pathway recognizes credit hours from accredited institutions without added scrutiny.
Confirm accreditation status directly before enrolling. Accreditation can lapse or change between a school's marketing page and the current AACSB or ACBSP member list.
What Sets the Best Master's in Accounting Programs in Connecticut Apart
University of Connecticut leads the field with a Program Score of 93.6, built on an 83% graduation rate and the strongest overall outcomes profile among accounting programs in Connecticut. Fairfield University ranks second at 92.4, with the highest graduation rate on the list at 84%, though its $57,450 in-state tuition runs more than three times UConn's $17,010. Sacred Heart University rounds out the top three at 88.0, with a 73% graduation rate and $50,084 tuition.
- University of Connecticut: 93.6 Program Score, 83% graduation rate, $17,010 in-state tuition.
- Fairfield University: 92.4 Program Score, 84% graduation rate, $57,450 in-state tuition.
- Sacred Heart University: 88.0 Program Score, 73% graduation rate, $50,084 in-state tuition.
Central Connecticut State University appears twice in the ranking under two program variants, scoring 81.8 and 74.9. Both share the same $6,998 in-state tuition and 48% graduation rate, the tradeoff for the lowest cost on the list. Quinnipiac University (76.6 score, 76% graduation rate) and University of New Haven (80.6 score, 63% graduation rate) sit in the middle tier, priced closer to the private-school norm above $45,000.
At the bottom of the ranking, Post University scores 67.6 with a 25% graduation rate, the lowest completion rate among all 10 programs despite a comparatively low $15,616 tuition. A low price does not offset a low completion rate; a program only pays off if a student finishes it. That balance of cost and completion data is what separates the best master's in accounting in Connecticut from the rest of the field.
Online and Accelerated Master's in Accounting Programs in Connecticut
Format flexibility varies sharply across Connecticut's accounting programs. University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University both structure MAcc tracks for working professionals who need evening, hybrid, or part-time scheduling to keep a job while finishing the 150-hour route. Central Connecticut State University's lower-cost program is built for part-time completion, which explains part of the gap between its low sticker price and its 48% graduation rate: many students take longer than a standard one-year timeline.
Online delivery is increasingly common among the private nonprofit options, including University of New Haven and University of Hartford, both of which offer online or hybrid coursework alongside on-campus sections. An online master of accountancy from an AACSB- or ACBSP-accredited Connecticut school carries the same accreditation and CPA-eligibility value as the on-campus version; the Connecticut State Board of Accountancy does not distinguish delivery format when evaluating credit hours toward licensure.
Accelerated combined bachelor's-to-MAcc pathways, sometimes called 4+1 programs, let a student finish both degrees and reach 150 hours in five years instead of six. Ask any Connecticut accounting programs admissions office directly whether a combined pathway exists; it is the fastest documented route to CPA eligibility on this list.
- #1 University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
- #3 Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield, CT
- #5 University of New HavenWest Haven, CT
- #8 University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT
- #9 Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT
- #10 Post UniversityWaterbury, CT
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 Careers and Salary Outlook After Connecticut Accounting Programs
Accountants and auditors earn a median $94,160 a year nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. That figure is a national field median, not a Connecticut-specific number and not tied to any single school on this list; treat it as context for weighing tuition, not as a promised outcome of any of these accounting programs.
BLS projects continued demand for accountants and auditors as regulatory complexity and financial reporting requirements grow, with a CPA license consistently cited as a differentiator for higher-level roles like controller, audit partner, or forensic accountant. A master of accountancy is the standard credential path to that license in Connecticut and nationwide, delivering 150 credit hours, the basis of Connecticut's one-year experience route, in one focused year rather than scattered undergraduate electives.
Connecticut's financial services and insurance sector, concentrated around Hartford and Stamford, is a significant regional employer of accountants and auditors, though wage data is not broken out separately by school in this dataset. Full national and state-level wage detail is available through BLS's OEWS program.