The Best Master's in Accounting Programs in Georgia for 2027
Key Points: Best Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia
- Emory University ranks #1 in Georgia on a 98.0 Program Score, with a 91% graduation rate.
- 8 of the 12 schools here are public and 4 private.
- University of Georgia follows at #2 with a 95.5 Program Score.
- Programs analyzed
- 13
- Average graduation rate
- 54%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $94,160
The best master's in accounting in Georgia span a tuition range from $4,373 at University of North Georgia to $63,400 at Emory University, and picking the right one means weighing that gap against outcomes, not just brand name. We analyzed 13 accounting schools in Georgia on the Program Score, a composite of graduation rate, admissions selectivity, cost, and post-graduation outcomes built from IPEDS and BLS data. Across those 13 accounting programs, the average graduation rate is 54%, meaning nearly half of students who start a program in Georgia do not finish on the standard timeline, a gap that should factor into any decision as heavily as sticker price.
Cost is not the only variable, but it is the one every applicant controls. University of North Georgia is the cheapest strong-value option among ranked accounting programs in Georgia at $4,373 in-state, while Kennesaw State University delivers a Program Score of 79.4 for $4,560, proof that a low price does not have to mean a weak program. At the other end, Emory University charges $63,400 in-state tuition but posts a 91% graduation rate and the top score in the state, a premium that only pays off if the Emory name and network are worth roughly $59,000 more than the cheapest option over the course of the degree.
This guide breaks down what a master of accountancy actually costs in Georgia, how the CPA licensure path and the 150-hour route shape which accounting programs to consider, why AACSB and ACBSP accreditation matter, and which schools in Georgia lead the field once cost, selectivity, and graduation rates are weighed together.
Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia, Compared by Score
Emory leads at 98.0, and Valdosta State closes the chart at 68.2. Longer bars rank higher.
Our Methodology for Ranking Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia
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 Master's Programs in Georgia, Ranked for 2027
The 12 best Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia, ranked by outcomes.
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Emory University's Master of Accounting is a joint degree with the Goizueta BBA that can add as little as one extra year, and the school reports a 99% employment rate.
- 99% employment rate, as reported by the school
- Program Score 98
- 91% graduation rate
- Joint BBA and master's pathway
Emory University's Master of Accounting is awarded jointly with the Goizueta Business School BBA and is designed for current Goizueta BBA students. It can be combined with any BBA area of study. Up to 8 graduate accounting credit hours double count toward BBA requirements, and the page says students can finish both degrees in as little as zero to one extra years beyond the BBA alone, taking graduate courses at undergraduate rates. The school reports a 99% employment rate and cites a 2026 U.S. News and World Report ranking for the accounting program. The joint program began in 2014, and the curriculum includes data analytics, machine learning, accounting information systems and blockchain. Students can choose an audit path, one example being a student aiming at forensic accounting.
Emory graduates 91% of its students and admits 11% of applicants. The Master of Accounting has a Program Score of 98 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Because entry runs through the BBA, it fits Emory undergraduates who want to build the credit hours for the CPA path while still in their bachelor's program, not students applying from outside.
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 90%
- Admit rate
- 38%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A Master of Accountancy built to let students sit for the CPA during the program, which cuts the experience requirement to one year.
- 90% graduation rate
- Program Score 95.5
- CPA exam taken during the program
- Top 10 CPA pass rate (school-reported)
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.
Mercer University
Macon, GA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
The Master of Accountancy runs as an accelerated one-year plan or a self-paced format, in eight-week sessions on the Atlanta campus or fully online.
- Program Score 82.4
- 70% graduation rate
- One-year accelerated option
- On campus or fully online
Mercer University's Master of Accountancy (MAcc) is offered on its Atlanta campus and fully online through synchronous, real-time classes. Students can take the degree on an accelerated one-year plan or at a self-paced rate that suits working professionals. Each course meets one evening a week and is completed in an eight-week session, with five sessions a year and the option to take two classes per term to finish sooner. No previous business experience is required, and the page says the degree fulfills the requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA exam and for CPA licensure in Georgia.
Faculty hold Ph.D. credentials and bring accounting, tax, audit and professional experience to small classes. The page lists employers where students and graduates work, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Defense Contract Audit Agency and the State of Georgia. The university-wide federal graduation rate is 70% and the admit rate is 69%. The program carries a Program Score of 82.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits career changers without a business background, working accountants who need the credit hours for CPA licensure, and students who want an evening or online format rather than a daytime campus schedule.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 55%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
An evening Master of Professional Accountancy that can be finished in as little as 12 months, with no GMAT or GRE required.
- 53% graduation rate
- Program Score 80.4
- Finish in as little as 12 months
- No GMAT or GRE required
Georgia State University offers a flexible Master of Professional Accountancy in the Robinson College of Business, designed to prepare students for the CPA whether or not they have an accounting background. Students with an accounting degree can finish in as little as 12 months or take up to five years, and classes meet Monday through Thursday evenings at 4:30 and 7:15 p.m. The degree is 30 credit hours, with five required courses covering advanced taxation, advanced accounting topics, management accounting systems and assurance services, plus five electives. Elective tracks are organized around the sections of the CPA Exam. Applicants need no GMAT or GRE score, and the courses satisfy the 30 upper-level accounting hours Georgia requires of CPAs.
Federal figures show a 53% graduation rate and a 55% admit rate at Georgia State. The program holds a Program Score of 80.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The evening schedule fits working professionals, and the cohort format serves career changers without an accounting degree who want a structured route to CPA eligibility in the Atlanta market.
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Kennesaw State University's Master of Accounting is a two-semester cohort program in which students take all four parts of the CPA Exam before graduating.
- Program Score 79.4
- 52% graduation rate
- 30 credits in two semesters
- Audit/Advisory or Tax specialization
Kennesaw State University's Master of Accounting (MAcc) is a full-time, face-to-face, 30-credit-hour cohort program that starts each fall and runs two semesters, from August to May. The school's "2 in 2" design lets students complete the degree and take all four parts of the CPA Exam in that time, with a capstone course built around exam preparation. Students specialize in either Audit/Advisory or Tax. Applicants need an undergraduate accounting background, including prerequisites in intermediate accounting, accounting information systems, taxation and auditing. Admission asks for a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA, a GMAT score, a statement of purpose and a resume. The school reports AACSB accreditation and says its School of Accountancy houses an Internal Audit Center.
Federal data shows a 52% graduation rate and a 69% admit rate at Kennesaw State. The program earns a Program Score of 79.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting graduates who want to finish the 150-hour path and the CPA Exam quickly in a structured cohort, and who can attend a day program, since it has no evening or online courses.
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 64%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Georgia College's 30-credit Master of Accountancy is open to graduates of all majors and satisfies the education requirements for CPA licensure.
- 30 semester credit hours
- Open to all undergraduate majors
- Program Score 75.2
- Elective CPA Exam Review course
The Master of Accountancy at Georgia College & State University is a 30 semester credit hour program that, according to the school, satisfies the education requirements for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant. An elective CPA Exam Review course lets students earn credit while preparing for the exam. The program is open to graduates from all majors. Students whose undergraduate degree is not in accounting work with the school on a tailored course of study that normally includes up to 36 semester credit hours of foundation courses before the 30 hours of graduate courses. The program emphasizes graduate-level accounting topics and business skills the profession treats as critical. An optional in-person graduate orientation is held on the Milledgeville campus. The page cites a Study.com listing of best degrees in accounting.
Georgia College graduates 64% of its students and admits 78% of applicants. The program has a Program Score of 75.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits career changers from other majors, who should plan for the foundation courses, and accounting graduates who need the hours for CPA licensure.
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 43%
- Admit rate
- 52%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of West Georgia's MPAcc satisfies Georgia's CPA exam requirement and, combined with an undergraduate degree, the 150 total semester hours and 30 upper-level hours.
- 43% graduation rate
- Program Score 71.5
- Meets Georgia CPA exam requirement
- AACSB-accredited college
The University of West Georgia offers a Master of Professional Accounting, or MPAcc, through the Richards College of Business. The page says the program prepares students for corporate accounting, public accounting or entry into doctoral programs in business and accounting. Coursework covers tax law, securities regulation and accounting and auditing standards, along with skills in designing efficient systems and communicating strategic plans. Completing the MPAcc satisfies the requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination in Georgia, and combined with an undergraduate degree it meets the educational requirement of 150 total semester hours and 30 hours of upper-level courses. The page publishes an MPAcc course schedule for Fall 2025 through Summer 2027, and it states that the college holds AACSB accreditation, with additional AACSB accounting accreditation for its programs.
The MPAcc has a Program Score of 71.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. West Georgia's federal graduation rate is 43% and its admit rate is 52%. The program fits students with an undergraduate degree who need to complete the 150-hour CPA path, as well as those planning for a doctorate in accounting who want a published schedule to plan around.
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A Master of Accounting offered in person or online as the WebMAcc, graduating students since 1996 and aimed at the CPA, CMA and CFE.
- 55% graduation rate
- Program Score 71
- On-campus MAcc or online WebMAcc
- Choice of data analytics or systems course
Georgia Southern University offers a Master of Accounting, called the MAcc on campus in Statesboro and the WebMAcc online, through its School of Accountancy. The school says the program has been graduating students since 1996 and reports AACSB accreditation for the School of Accountancy. Coursework includes seminars in financial accounting and auditing, taxation of corporations and partnerships, law and ethics for accountants, and your choice of Accounting Data Analytics or Accounting Information Systems. Electives cover tax research, estate and gift taxes, fraud and expert witnessing, and the VITA tax assistance program. The page says the degree prepares students for the CPA, CMA, CFE and other certifications, and it lists employers of alumni that include Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Federal data show a 55% graduation rate across Georgia Southern and an 88% admit rate. The program holds a Program Score of 71 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The two delivery options make it a fit for working accountants who need an online schedule and for recent graduates who want in-person tutoring and connections, and for anyone aiming to complete the credential path toward professional licensure.
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 37%
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 30-hour Master of Accountancy that can be completed in one year full time and meets Georgia's CPA education requirements.
- Program Score 70.7
- 68% admit rate
- 30-hour program
- Day and evening options
The University of North Georgia offers a Master of Accountancy as a 30-hour program that can be completed in 1 year with the full-time option. Part-time study is also available. Daytime classes meet on the Dahlonega campus and evening classes on the Gainesville campus, and students can start in fall, spring or summer. The page says graduates will have satisfied all educational requirements for the CPA license in Georgia. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, either in accounting from a school whose business program has separate accreditation or in another field plus prerequisite coursework including intermediate accounting, federal income taxation and auditing, with a GPA of 3.0 or above in upper-level accounting courses. Applicants also submit a letter of interest, a resume and two recommendation letters.
North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants and graduates 37% of its students. The program earns a Program Score of 70.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting graduates in northeast Georgia who want the CPA coursework in a single year, and working students who need evening classes. Those without the accounting prerequisites should budget extra time to complete them first.
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA · Public
- Grad rate
- 42%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Valdosta State University's Master of Accountancy is a 30-credit-hour, one-year, full-time program that meets Georgia's CPA education requirements for students with an undergraduate accounting degree.
- 42% graduation rate
- Program Score 68.2
- 30 credit hours
- One-year full-time format
Valdosta State University offers a Master of Accountancy through the Department of Accounting in its Langdale College of Business. The degree totals 30 credit hours and is described as a one-year, full-time program that builds technical accounting, analytical, communication and technology skills. The page states that students who hold an undergraduate accounting degree and complete the program will have met all educational requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant in Georgia. Classes average just 25 students, and the school reports that 90% of faculty hold doctoral degrees. Students can gain work experience through the Valdosta State Co-op Program or independent internships, and top students may be invited to honor societies including Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi. Listed career settings include public accounting firms, banks, corporations, government, healthcare organizations, manufacturing and nonprofits.
The program has a Program Score of 68.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Valdosta State's federal graduation rate is 42% and its admit rate is 72%. The one-year, full-time format suits students with an accounting bachelor's degree who want to finish the CPA education requirement quickly, and those who prefer small classes and a campus-based experience over an online route.
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Brenau University's Master of Accountancy includes CPA exam review material and the additional upper-level accounting hours needed to sit for the exam.
- 33% graduation rate
- Program Score 61.5
- CPA exam review coursework
- Online option
Brenau University offers a Master of Accountancy built for students who want to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam and work in public accounting. The page says students complete the additional upper-level accounting hours needed to sit for the exam, and that coursework includes CPA exam review material. Classes are small, and students work directly with faculty. The program lists potential careers including chief financial officer, controller, corporate accountant, external or internal auditor, fraud examiner, tax accountant, and consultant. Admission requires an undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited college or university. Brenau also lists the program among its online graduate business options, alongside its MBA and other master's programs in the Jacobs College of Business & Media.
Brenau has a 33% graduation rate and admits 88% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 61.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who already hold an accounting bachelor's degree and want to complete the coursework behind CPA exam eligibility in a small-class setting, with the option to study online.
Strayer University-Georgia
Chamblee, GA · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 21%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Strayer's online MS in Accounting is 12 courses with four concentrations: corporate, forensic, public accounting and taxation.
- 21% graduation rate
- Program Score 60.8
- Open admission
- Four concentrations including forensic and taxation
Strayer University-Georgia offers an online Master of Science in Accounting made up of 12 master's courses, each 11 weeks long. The page says the degree goes beyond financial data and analysis to cover strategic financial insight, expanding markets and resource and asset management. Students learn to apply technical concepts to domestic and global operations, use economic theory to solve business problems and apply accounting principles to corporate decision making. Stated outcomes include analyzing accounting data and systems to make business decisions, conveying accounting policies across an organization and applying ethical considerations to accounting practice. Students pick from four concentrations: Corporate Accounting, Forensic Accounting, Public Accounting and Taxation. Strayer states that it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the program is delivered online.
Federal data shows a 21% graduation rate at Strayer-Georgia, and the school is open admission, so there is no selective admit rate. The program earned a Program Score of 60.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working accountants or career changers who want a graduate credential with a specialty in forensic work, public accounting or tax, and who need an online format.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia
The median school on this list graduates 53% of its students. The highest rates belong to Emory University (91%) and University of Georgia (90%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Emory University91% graduation rate
- #2 University of Georgia90% graduation rate
- #3 Mercer University70% 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 Georgia?
On this list, 1 of 12 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 2 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Emory University at 11%.
- #1 Emory University11% admitted
- #2 University of Georgia38% admitted
- #7 University of West Georgia52% 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 Georgia
This list holds 8 public, 3 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 Georgia Are
The 12 ranked schools are spread across 11 cities. Atlanta (2) is the only one with more than one ranked school.
Main campus city as reported to IPEDS.
Campus Size Across the Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia
Enrollment on this list runs from 2,436 at Brenau University to 47,764 at Kennesaw State University. Of the 12, 4 enroll 20,000 students or more and 2 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | University of GeorgiaGeorgia | $103,774 |
| #3 | Mercer UniversityMercer | $94,972 |
| #4 | Georgia State UniversityGeorgia State | $102,290 |
| #5 | Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw State | $102,127 |
| #6 | Georgia College & State UniversityGeorgia College & State | $90,411 |
| #8 | Georgia Southern UniversityGeorgia Southern | $90,092 |
| #10 | Valdosta State UniversityValdosta State | $86,927 |
| #11 | Brenau UniversityBrenau | $91,509 |
| #12 | Strayer University-GeorgiaStrayer-Georgia | $77,493 |
Graduates of Georgia earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $103,774; the lowest figure here is $77,493 at Strayer-Georgia.
Georgia leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
What a Master's in Accounting Costs in Georgia
Tuition for accounting programs in Georgia is not close to uniform. On the low end, four public schools, University of North Georgia ($4,373), University of West Georgia ($4,488), Georgia Southern University ($4,488), and Valdosta State University ($4,488), all charge under $4,500 in-state for the full master's. On the high end, Emory University's $63,400 in-state tuition is more than 14 times University of North Georgia's price for the same degree title.
The math matters more than the sticker price alone. A Georgia resident paying $4,560 at Kennesaw State and finishing in the 52% graduation-rate cohort still walks away with a CPA-eligible credential and a national median accountant salary of $94,160 a year to aim for, per BLS data. Emory's $63,400 price tag is nearly $59,000 more, and only makes sense if the school's 91% graduation rate, national reputation, and recruiting pipeline translate into a faster or higher-paying start than a public option would. Georgia State University sits in between at $7,344 in-state with a 53% graduation rate, a middle path for applicants who want a large alumni network without Emory's price.
Out-of-state and private tuition change this math further. Mercer University and Brenau University, both private nonprofits, charge $31,265 and $31,470 respectively, roughly seven times the cheapest public accounting programs in Georgia, while Strayer University-Georgia, a private for-profit, charges $13,725 with the lowest graduation rate in the ranked set at 21%. Cost alone does not predict quality, but paired with graduation rate it is the clearest signal available before enrolling.
How to Become a CPA in Georgia
Georgia's Public Accountancy Act of 2025 (HB 148) opened a bachelor's-plus-two-years route on January 1, 2026 and kept the 150-hour route with one year. Under the bachelor's route the experience is 4,000 hours across 24 months, supervised by a licensed CPA.
| Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's with an accounting concentration | 2 years | Available since January 2026 |
| 150 semester hours | 1 year | Available |
To sit for the exam: 24 semester hours of accounting, as NASBA lists it for first-time candidates. Every route also requires passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
A master's from this list usually takes a candidate past the 150 semester hours of Georgia's one-year route; the count covers every college credit, undergraduate included. 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 Georgia 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 or ACBSP Accreditation Matters
Accreditation is the baseline filter for accounting programs in Georgia. AACSB accreditation, held by a minority of business schools nationally, signals that a program's faculty research output, curriculum, and outcomes meet a peer-reviewed standard; ACBSP accreditation is a second recognized standard, more common among regional and teaching-focused schools. Neither guarantees a specific salary or job placement, but both mean the degree will be recognized by state boards of accountancy and by employers screening resumes.
For a master of accountancy, accreditation status is worth confirming directly with each school before applying, since it can change and since some schools in Georgia hold accreditation at the business-school level but not for the accounting department specifically. An accredited program also tends to correlate with the outcomes data behind the Program Score: the highest scorers in this ranking, Emory, the University of Georgia, and Mercer, are all accredited at the school level, while lower-ranked, lower-cost options should be checked individually.
The Master's in Accounting Programs That Lead Georgia's Rankings
Topping the ranked field, Emory University leads with a 98 Program Score, a 91% graduation rate, and $63,400 in-state tuition, the most expensive of the 13 accounting programs in Georgia but backed by the highest graduation rate and score in the state. The University of Georgia is close behind at 95.5, with a 90% graduation rate for $10,034 in-state, the best combination of outcome and price among the top tier.
Mercer University ranks third at 82.4 with a 70% graduation rate for $31,265, a private option priced between the flagship publics and Emory. Georgia State University (80.4 score, 53% graduation rate, $7,344) and Kennesaw State University (79.4 score, 52% graduation rate, $4,560) round out the top five, both public and both far cheaper than the private options ranked above them.
Georgia College & State University holds a 75.2 score with a 64% graduation rate for $7,696, the highest graduation rate among schools priced under $8,000. Further down the list, the University of West Georgia, Georgia Southern University, University of North Georgia, and Valdosta State University all charge between $4,373 and $4,488 in-state and post graduation rates from 37% to 55%, the tradeoff for the lowest sticker prices among accounting programs in Georgia.
At the bottom of the ranked set, Brenau University (61.5 score, 33% graduation rate, $31,470) and Strayer University-Georgia (60.8 score, 21% graduation rate, $13,725) combine higher or mid-range cost with the lowest graduation rates in the state, the clearest examples in this data of price and outcome moving in opposite directions.
Online and Accelerated Paths for a Master's in Accounting
Several accounting programs in Georgia offer online or hybrid formats aimed at working professionals who cannot relocate or pause a job for two years. An online master of accountancy carries the same 150-hour CPA math and, when the program is accredited, the same standing with the Georgia State Board of Accountancy as an on-campus degree; the format does not change the credential, only the delivery.
Accelerated tracks, often built for students who majored in accounting or a related field as undergraduates, can compress the standard 30-to-36-credit-hour master's into 12 to 16 months instead of two years. That timeline matters most for applicants trying to sit for the CPA exam and start a public accounting job on the standard fall recruiting cycle; a slower part-time online track extends the timeline but lets students keep working and earning through the degree.
Whichever format a student chooses, the same data used to rank on-campus programs in Georgia, graduation rate, cost, and selectivity, should be checked for the online version specifically, since online cohorts at the same school do not always report identical outcomes to the flagship on-campus program.
- #8 Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
- #11 Brenau UniversityGainesville, GA
- #12 Strayer University-GeorgiaChamblee, GA
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 Salary and Job Outlook After Graduation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median pay for accountants and auditors at $94,160 a year. That figure is a national benchmark, not a per-school outcome. It is the same number whether a graduate finishes at Emory, the University of Georgia, or any other school in Georgia's ranking, and no school's data separates its graduates' pay from that national median.
What does vary by school is the graduation rate and selectivity that shape whether a student finishes the degree and sits for the CPA exam at all, factors captured directly in the Program Score and in IPEDS data. A CPA license, not the master's degree alone, is typically what unlocks the senior-level pay inside the BLS's $94,160 median, which is why the 150-hour route and accreditation sections above matter as much as the ranking itself.
For students weighing accounting programs in Georgia against the national BLS outlook for the field, the practical takeaway is to treat salary as fixed and treat cost, graduation rate, and time-to-CPA as the variables actually in a student's control when comparing schools.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions About Accounting Master's Programs in Georgia
Which school ranks highest for accounting in Georgia?
How long does a master of accountancy take in Georgia?
Is an online master's in accounting respected in Georgia?
How much does a master's in accounting cost in Georgia?
What is the CPA path after a master's in accounting in Georgia?
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)
- NASBA, Georgia licensure requirements
- Office of the Governor, May 9, 2025 bill signing