The Best Master's in Accounting Programs in Massachusetts for 2027
Key Points: Best Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts
- Northeastern University ranks #1 in Massachusetts on a 95.9 Program Score, with a 91% graduation rate.
- 3 of the 12 schools here are public and 9 private.
- Boston College follows at #2 with a 93.2 Program Score.
- Programs analyzed
- 14
- Average graduation rate
- 71%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $94,160
The best master's in accounting in Massachusetts span a $54,503 tuition gap, from $14,897 a year in-state at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth to $69,400 at Boston College, and we analyzed 14 accounting programs across the state to find where that price actually buys a stronger outcome. Average graduation rate across the ranked group is 71%, a number that hides real variation: Northeastern University and Boston College both post 91% graduation rates, while three programs sit at 65% or below on similar six-figure lifetime price tags.
Massachusetts crowds a dense cluster of accounting programs into a small radius, from Boston research universities to regional public campuses an hour outside the city. Sticker price does not track with program strength here. Northeastern University leads the state with a 95.9 Program Score and a 91% graduation rate at $64,990 a year, while University of Massachusetts-Amherst delivers a 93 Program Score and an 83% graduation rate for $17,006, less than a third of Northeastern's price. For students prioritizing sticker price alone, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth public MSA is the cheapest option in the state at $14,897 a year, though its 52% graduation rate trails the Massachusetts average by nearly 20 points, a tradeoff worth weighing against the cost savings.
What follows breaks down what a master's in accounting actually costs in Massachusetts, how the state's CPA licensure rules shape the degree, which accreditation to check for, and where online and accelerated formats fit for working students.
The Top Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts at a Glance
Northeastern leads at 95.9, and Nichols College closes the chart at 73.2. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts 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 Master's Programs in Massachusetts, Ranked for 2027
The 12 best Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts, ranked by outcomes.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 5%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Northeastern University's MS in Accounting delivers the 150 credits needed to sit for the CPA exam in just seven months, with Audit and Tax tracks.
- 91% graduation rate
- Program Score 95.9
- Seven-month master's
- Audit or Tax track
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.
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A STEM-designated MS in Accounting that students finish in 9 to 12 months, with a 30-credit core covering auditing, taxation and forensic accounting.
- 91% graduation rate
- Program Score 93.2
- STEM-designated
- 30-credit core in 9 to 12 months
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.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 60%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Massachusetts-Amherst's MS in Accounting says it is the top-ranked program in New England and meets the educational requirements for CPA licensure in Massachusetts.
- 83% graduation rate
- Program Score 93
- AACSB accounting accreditation, per the school
- Fall, spring and summer starts
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.
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 87%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A STEM-designated MS in Accounting with five concentrations and a curriculum built with KPMG's Data and Analytics Program.
- 87% graduation rate
- Program Score 90.1
- Five concentrations
- STEM-designated curriculum
Bentley University's Master's in Accounting integrates data analytics, blockchain and machine learning into core accounting coursework. The page says it was the first program in Massachusetts to earn separate accountancy accreditation from AACSB International, and that the curriculum collaborates with KPMG's Data and Analytics Program. Students pick one of five concentrations: Assurance, Advisory, Corporate Financial Reporting, Analytics or Tax. In the Data Analytics for Accountants course they use Excel, Python and SQL to analyze financial datasets and spot potential fraud. The school says the degree meets the educational requirements for the CPA, CIA, CMA and CISA, and that the curriculum is STEM-designated except for tax. An Accounting Advisory Board of firm and industry leaders helps shape the courses.
Federal data show an 87% graduation rate and a 45% admit rate, so admission is moderately selective. The program earned a Program Score of 90.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want certification-ready accounting with a technology edge, and international students who can use the STEM designation.
Clark University
Worcester, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 77%
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A Master of Science in Accounting that the school designates as STEM, which can matter for international students seeking up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training.
- Program Score 89.4
- 77% graduation rate
- 40% admit rate
- STEM-designated M.S.
Clark University's Accounting, M.S. sits in its School of Business and is aimed at students building the financial training that certified public accountants rely on. The program page describes a curriculum that also brings an accountant's perspective to boardroom priorities, including professional ethics, diversity and sustainable business practices. Clark states that the program has been STEM-designated since fall 2023, and says international students who graduate with a STEM degree may be eligible to remain in the U.S. for up to 36 months on Optional Practical Training. The page is brief on course lists, credit hours and formats, so applicants should confirm requirements with the school before applying.
Clark's federal figures give context: a 77% graduation rate and an admit rate of 40%, so admission is selective. The program earns a Program Score of 89.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. The degree suits students who want a graduate accounting credential from a private nonprofit university in Worcester and who value the STEM designation, whether they plan a CPA path or a corporate finance role. Weigh it against your own licensure plans and visa situation.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Massachusetts-Lowell's MS in Accounting is a 10-course, 30-credit degree classified Level 1 by the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy for CPA exam eligibility.
- 65% graduation rate
- Program Score 81.9
- 30-credit, 10-course degree
- Online or hybrid, GRE not required
University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers a Master of Science in Accounting for students heading into public, corporate, government and nonprofit roles. The Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy has classified the program as Level 1, which the university says satisfies the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam. The degree is 10 courses and 30 credits. The core covers government and nonprofit accounting, advanced cost management, taxation of business entities, financial accounting theory and research, and advanced auditing. Students can follow the general pathway or choose an option in International Business or Corporate Leadership. It runs part time or full time, online or hybrid, with no GRE required, and teaching and research assistantships are available to qualifying full-time students.
On the federal side, UMass Lowell reports a 65% graduation rate and an 83% admit rate, which makes entry fairly accessible. The program's Program Score is 81.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits working accountants who need a flexible online or hybrid route, career changers who want the coursework tied to CPA eligibility in Massachusetts, and students who want a defined 30-credit path with a choice of two focus options. Applicants planning to sit for the CPA in another state should confirm that state's own requirements.
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 70%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Merrimack College's MS in Accounting is 100 percent online, finishes part time in 16 to 24 months, and requires no GRE or GMAT.
- 70% graduation rate
- Program Score 80
- 100% online, 16 to 24 months part time
- Concentrations in analytics, forensics, taxation
Merrimack College offers a Master of Science in Accounting delivered 100 percent online and designed for working professionals. Students finish part time in 16 to 24 months, with no prerequisites and no GRE or GMAT required. The curriculum aligns with CPA examination topics and is described as valuable beyond the exam. Students can take the general path or add one of three optional concentrations: Business Analytics, Forensic Accounting or Taxation. The college also lists four-credit, single-course graduate certificates in CPA and CMA exam preparation, taught live online. The page points to roles in accounting firms, corporate finance teams, startups and global enterprises. The program is financial aid eligible, and the page advertises a scholarship for students who register by a stated 2026 deadline.
Merrimack's federal data show a 70% graduation rate and a 70% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 80 out of 100, the basis of its ranking on this site. It fits employed accountants who want to move into leadership, graduates of other fields who need a path into accounting without prerequisites, and anyone who needs to sit for the CPA and prefers a part-time online route. Students who want a short, full-time residential year should note that this program is built around part-time study.
Suffolk University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 61%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Suffolk University's 30-credit MSA can be finished in as few as 9 months full time and includes Becker's CPA Exam Review Course.
- 61% graduation rate
- Program Score 77.1
- 30 credits, as few as 9 months
- Becker CPA Review included
Suffolk University's Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-credit program based in Boston's Financial District through the Sawyer Business School. Full-time students can finish in as few as 9 months, and part-time students in as few as 21 months. Three tracks suit different educational backgrounds, including a STEM-designated concentration in Information Systems and Controls and options in Business Analysis and Reporting and in Tax Compliance and Planning. The curriculum integrates Becker's CPA Exam Review Course, and classes can be taken in the evening or online on a space-available basis. The school reports AACSB accreditation and Level-1 status from the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy. A 4+1 option lets qualifying seniors and recent graduates finish in as few as 9 months.
Suffolk graduates 61% of its students and admits 82% of applicants, a fairly accessible admit rate for a graduate-serving university. The program earned a Program Score of 77.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits accounting graduates and career changers aiming for the CPA or CMA who want a short timeline and the flexibility of evening or online classes.
Western New England University
Springfield, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 64%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Western New England University's 30-credit online MS in Accounting and Finance can be completed in as little as one year and meets CPA requirements for Massachusetts and Connecticut.
- 64% graduation rate
- Program Score 73.4
- 30 credits, online
- CPA path for MA and CT
Western New England University's College of Business offers a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance, a 30-credit program delivered online. Students can finish in as little as one year, helped by multiple terms each year. The page states that the degree satisfies the requirements to become a CPA and sit the exam in Massachusetts or Connecticut. The curriculum has foundation courses completed at the undergraduate level, core courses and electives, with advanced training in fraud investigation accounting, forensic accounting and litigation support. Students move through the program as a cohort. The university reports AACSB accreditation and says it is the only private institution in western Massachusetts holding it.
Western New England graduates 64% of its students and admits 83% of applicants. The program earned a Program Score of 73.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working accountants and recent graduates in New England who want a flexible online format and a direct path to CPA eligibility in two neighboring states. Applicants without an accounting background should expect to complete the undergraduate foundation courses first.
Nichols College
Dudley, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 63%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Nichols College designed its Master of Science in Accounting with local employers to go beyond CPA prep, pairing audit tools like IDEA with negotiation and communication coursework and a capstone.
- 63% graduation rate
- Program Score 73.2
- Remote or in-person lectures
- Capstone course
Nichols College describes its Master of Science in Accounting as built with top local employers to go well beyond CPA preparation. The core blends technical accounting with data tools, including IDEA, ACL, Power BI and Tableau, and with coursework in negotiation, communication and emotional intelligence. Named courses include Auditing Through Information Systems, Professional Accounting Research and Policy, Critical Thinking for Accountants, and The Future of Data and Analytics, which covers blockchain, data security and artificial intelligence. Electives can be accounting-specific or broaden into management or marketing, and the program ends with a capstone course. Students can attend lectures remotely or in a classroom, and the page says the degree suits both accounting graduates and career changers from other fields.
Nichols reports a 63% graduation rate and admits about 81% of applicants. The program has a Program Score of 73.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want a flexible format and a program that adds analytics and leadership skills to the accounting core, whether they are deepening an accounting background or switching into the field.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA · Public
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's MS in Accounting offers three tracks by background, with online, blended and face-to-face delivery, and helps students meet the 150-credit CPA rule.
- 52% graduation rate
- Program Score 66.3
- 150-credit CPA rule path
- Online, blended or on campus
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers a Master of Science in Accounting through the Charlton College of Business. Requirements vary depending on whether students start with an accounting degree, a business degree or a degree in another field, and the school says it offers three tracks of graduate accounting education for these backgrounds. Delivery can be online, blended or face to face, and a fully online version exists. The program helps students meet the 150-credit rule adopted by all states for CPA licensure, and its courses are consistent with the content of the CPA and Certified Management Accountant exams. The page also lists preparation for the CIA, CFP and CFE credentials. Applicants submit a GMAT, LSAT or GRE score with a minimum of 500, though a GMAT waiver may be available, plus two recommendation letters.
UMass Dartmouth reports a 52% graduation rate and admits about 91% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 66.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits both accounting graduates and career changers who need a flexible format and a route to CPA credit hours.
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 44%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 100% online, 30-credit MS in Accounting in 8-week courses, with no classes during peak accounting busy season.
- 44% graduation rate
- Program Score 65.7
- 100% online, 30 credits
- 8-week accelerated courses
Bay Path University's Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-credit program taught completely online, with on-the-ground support. Students choose between two concentrations, Public Accounting (tax and audit) and Managerial Accounting, and the studies are customized for CPA, CMA and CFE certification requirements. Courses run in accelerated 8-week terms, classes start in March, May, June, September and October, and students can finish in one to two years on schedules that skip the peak accounting busy season. The page says the program was designed by a full-time working accountant and taught by doctoral-level faculty who also hold CPA or CMA credentials. The GMAT and GRE are not required, and the university reports accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Federal data show a 44% graduation rate and an 85% admit rate, so the school admits most applicants. The program earned a Program Score of 65.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working accountants and career changers who need a flexible path toward licensure or a corporate finance role and who want to study without sitting a graduate admissions test.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts
The median school on this list graduates 68% of its students. The highest rates belong to Northeastern University (91%) and Boston College (91%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Northeastern University91% graduation rate
- #2 Boston College91% graduation rate
- #4 Bentley University87% 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 Massachusetts?
On this list, 4 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Northeastern University at 5%.
- #1 Northeastern University5% admitted
- #2 Boston College16% admitted
- #5 Clark University40% 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 Massachusetts
This list holds 3 public and 9 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 81.9 public and 80.0 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Where the Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts Are
The 12 ranked schools are spread across 11 cities. Boston (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 Massachusetts
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,392 at Nichols College to 32,553 at Northeastern University. Of the 12, 2 enroll 20,000 students or more and 4 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northeastern UniversityNortheastern | $118,744 |
| #2 | Boston CollegeBoston College | $118,957 |
| #3 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstUMass Amherst | $109,628 |
| #4 | Bentley UniversityBentley | $115,201 |
| #6 | University of Massachusetts-LowellUMass Lowell | $111,662 |
| #7 | Merrimack CollegeMerrimack College | $92,014 |
| #8 | Suffolk UniversitySuffolk | $107,236 |
| #10 | Nichols CollegeNichols College | $96,385 |
| #11 | University of Massachusetts-DartmouthMassachusetts-Dartmouth | $85,031 |
| #12 | Bay Path UniversityBay Path | $95,772 |
Graduates of Boston College earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $118,957; the lowest figure here is $85,031 at Massachusetts-Dartmouth.
Northeastern, the highest-ranked of these schools (#1), comes in at $118,744.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
The Real Cost of Master's in Accounting Programs in Massachusetts
A master's in accounting in Massachusetts costs $14,897 a year in-state at the cheapest ranked program, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and $69,400 a year at the most expensive, Boston College, a $54,503 spread that has little to do with how well a program prepares graduates for the CPA exam. Across the 14 accounting programs analyzed in the state, three public options, UMass Dartmouth ($14,897), UMass Lowell ($16,246), and UMass Amherst ($17,006), all charge under $18,000 a year, while eight private nonprofit schools charge $37,000 or more.
Do the math on a two-year MAcc: at UMass Amherst, total in-state tuition runs roughly $34,000 for two years; at Boston College, the same two years runs $138,800. That $104,800 gap does not close through starting salary alone. National median pay for accountants and auditors is $94,160 a year per the BLS, a figure that applies the same to a UMass Amherst graduate and a Boston College graduate; the private-school premium has to be justified by something other than the paycheck on day one, whether that is recruiting access, an alumni network, or accreditation-driven CPA exam prep.
Return on investment for accounting programs in Massachusetts depends on how fast a graduate clears licensure and starts billing hours. A public MAcc at $17,006 a year pays for itself faster than a $69,400 private program even if both land the same starting salary, because the debt load is a fraction of the size. Students choosing a Massachusetts MAcc on cost alone should weigh the $54,503 tuition range against graduation rate: UMass Amherst's 83% completion rate at $17,006 outperforms several private programs charging twice as much with graduation rates in the 60s.
How to Become a CPA in Massachusetts
Massachusetts still requires 150 hours for a license. A bill to add a bachelor's-plus-two-years route, S.2946, passed the Senate 37-0 in February 2026 and was before House Ways and Means in October. Experience is one year and 2,000 hours in public accounting, or three years outside it.
| Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's with an accounting concentration | 2 years | Bill pending |
| 150 semester hours | 1 year | Available |
To sit for the exam: 120 semester hours (finished within 90 days of sitting) with a bachelor's, 21 accounting and 9 business hours. 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 Massachusetts's one-year route; the count covers every college credit, undergraduate included.
Checked against the Massachusetts 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 and ACBSP Accreditation Matters
AACSB accreditation, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, is the accreditation that matters most for accounting programs in Massachusetts. Fewer than 200 schools worldwide hold AACSB's separate accounting accreditation on top of its general business accreditation, and every top-five program on this list, Northeastern, Boston College, UMass Amherst, Bentley, and Clark, carries it. ACBSP, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, accredits a wider set of schools nationally and is worth checking for programs outside the top tier.
Accreditation matters for three practical reasons: it determines whether the 150 credit hours a program awards will count toward Massachusetts CPA licensure without an outside credential evaluation, it affects employer recruiting since many public accounting firms restrict campus recruiting to accredited schools, and it signals that the curriculum has been reviewed against a standard rather than assembled independently by a single department. A degree from an accredited program removes friction at every one of those three checkpoints.
Before enrolling in any Massachusetts accounting program, confirm accreditation status directly with AACSB rather than taking a school's own marketing copy at face value; accreditation status changes, and a program's website does not always reflect a recent loss or renewal.
What Sets Massachusetts' Top Accounting Programs Apart
Northeastern University leads the state's accounting programs with a 95.9 Program Score, built on a 91% graduation rate at $64,990 a year in tuition. Boston College sits second at 93.2, matching Northeastern's 91% graduation rate but charging $69,400, the highest tuition of any ranked Massachusetts program. Both schools lean on co-op and internship pipelines into Boston's dense public-accounting and financial-services market, the kind of access that is harder to replicate at a smaller regional campus.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the highest-ranked public option at #3 overall, a 93 Program Score and an 83% graduation rate for $17,006 in-state, a fraction of the tuition charged by the two private schools ahead of it. Bentley University, a business-only institution in Waltham, ranks fourth with a 90.1 Program Score and an 87% graduation rate at $61,000, the strongest graduation rate of any program outside the top three. Clark University rounds out the top five at 89.4, with a 77% graduation rate at $57,440.
Below the top five, Program Scores drop off: UMass Lowell (81.9), Merrimack College (80), and Suffolk University (77.1) all charge under $50,000 a year but post graduation rates between 61% and 70%, roughly 10 to 20 points below the top-tier schools. That gap matters for anyone comparing accounting programs on tuition alone; a lower price does not automatically mean a comparable outcome, and choosing the best master's in accounting in Massachusetts means weighing that graduation-rate spread as carefully as the dollar figure.
Online and Accelerated Master's in Accounting Programs in Massachusetts
Several Massachusetts accounting programs offer online or hybrid delivery for working professionals who cannot relocate for a full-time, on-campus MAcc. UMass Amherst's Isenberg School lists online availability alongside its on-campus track, letting students mix formats as scheduling allows. Bentley University similarly offers flexible delivery options built around its 87% graduation rate on-campus cohort, though the accelerated cohorts trade some of the in-person recruiting access that drives Boston-based firms' campus hiring.
Accelerated formats compress the 150-hour CPA pathway into less calendar time by running courses year-round instead of on a traditional two-semester schedule. That trade speeds up time to licensure but usually means a heavier course load per term, worth confirming against a program's specific pacing before enrolling. An online master of accountancy carries the same accreditation and CPA-eligibility value as its on-campus counterpart as long as the accrediting body, AACSB or ACBSP, does not distinguish between delivery formats, and most Massachusetts programs do not.
Employers evaluating a candidate for public accounting or corporate finance roles generally do not discount an online MAcc from an accredited Massachusetts accounting program the way they might have a decade ago; what matters more to recruiters is whether the CPA exam has been passed and whether the 150-hour requirement is met, not the delivery format the credit hours came through.
- #3 University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA
- #4 Bentley UniversityWaltham, MA
- #6 University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA
- #7 Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover, MA
- #9 Western New England UniversitySpringfield, MA
- #10 Nichols CollegeDudley, MA
- #12 Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow, MA
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.
Salary and Job Outlook After a Massachusetts Accounting Degree
National median pay for accountants and auditors is $94,160 a year, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. That figure is a national benchmark, not a Massachusetts-specific number, and it applies the same regardless of which of the state's accounting programs a graduate attended. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects continued demand for accountants and auditors, driven in part by the same 150-hour CPA rule that shapes Massachusetts MAcc programs.
Massachusetts, and Boston specifically, hosts a dense concentration of public accounting firms, financial-services headquarters, and corporate finance departments, the kind of local labor market that gives graduates of the state's top accounting programs a wider set of employers to recruit from than the national picture alone suggests. That density is a real advantage for Northeastern, Boston College, and Bentley graduates who complete co-ops or internships inside that same market before graduating.
Graduates weighing a CPA track against a general accounting career should note that the $94,160 median applies broadly across experience levels and specializations; a newly licensed CPA and a 15-year audit partner both feed into that same BLS figure. Program-specific starting salaries, where reported, offer a sharper picture than the national median, but Massachusetts MAcc programs vary in how much starting-salary data they publish.
Keep Exploring
Accounting Master's Programs in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best master's in accounting in Massachusetts for 2027?
How long does a master's in accounting take in Massachusetts?
Is an online master's in accounting respected by employers?
How much does a master's in accounting cost in Massachusetts?
What is the CPA path in Massachusetts?
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)
- Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy, how to apply for a license
- Massachusetts Legislature, S.2946