The Best Master's in Accounting Programs in Tennessee for 2027
Key Points: Best Accounting Master's Programs in Tennessee
- Vanderbilt University ranks #1 in Tennessee on a 95.1 Program Score, with a 94% graduation rate.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Vanderbilt University follows at #2 with a 95.0 Program Score.
- Programs analyzed
- 10
- Average graduation rate
- 69%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $94,160
The best master's in accounting in Tennessee cover a huge range in what you will pay and how likely you are to finish. Across the 10 accounting programs analyzed for this ranking, in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University, the cheapest strong-value option among ranked schools, to $65,008 at Vanderbilt University. The average graduation rate across all 10 programs is 69%, but that number hides a split: the elite private schools post rates near 90%, while several public options sit closer to 50%.
Tennessee is a strong state to study accounting toward CPA licensure because it mixes large public research universities with small private schools, and every ranked program here offers a master of accountancy built to supply the 150 credit hours behind the state's one-year experience CPA route. Whether you want an accredited MAcc at a flagship public university or a smaller private program with a tighter cohort, the options below span both worlds.
This guide breaks down what Tennessee's accounting programs cost, how the state's CPA licensure rules work, why accreditation matters when you compare schools, which schools rank at the top, what online and accelerated paths look like, and what graduates earn nationally after finishing a MAcc.
The Top Accounting Master's Programs in Tennessee at a Glance
Vanderbilt leads at 95.1, and Tennessee Wesleyan closes the chart at 68.9. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Accounting Master's Programs in Tennessee 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 Tennessee, Ranked for 2027
The 10 best Accounting Master's Programs in Tennessee, ranked by outcomes.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 94%
- Admit rate
- 6%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 12-month, in-person Master of Accountancy with Assurance and Valuation tracks and a reported 91% first-time CPA pass rate (five-year average).
- 94% graduation rate
- Program Score 95.1
- 12-month full-time format
- Assurance and Valuation tracks
Vanderbilt University's Master of Accountancy is a 12-month, full-time, in-person program in Nashville. The school offers two distinct tracks, MAcc Assurance and MAcc Valuation, and the curriculum is built around preparing students for the CPA exam. The page describes a paid internship opportunity, dedicated career coaching and recruiting partnerships aimed at the Big 4 and other firms. Vanderbilt reports that 100% of graduates accepted an offer within six months, that most start at KPMG, Deloitte, PwC or EY, and that the five-year average first-time CPA pass rate is 91%. It also says most graduates reach manager level in about five years.
Federal data show a 94% graduation rate at Vanderbilt and an admit rate of 6%, so admission is highly selective. The Program Score of 95.1 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. The accelerated one-year format suits students who already hold a bachelor's degree, want to finish quickly and have the CPA license as the goal. Applicants who need a part-time or online route will not find one here, since the program is full-time and on campus.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 94%
- Admit rate
- 6%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Two tracks, Assurance and Valuation, in a 12-month program where Vanderbilt reports 100% of graduates accepted an offer within six months.
- 94% graduation rate
- Program Score 95.0
- 12-month full-time format
- 91% first-time CPA pass rate (school-reported)
Vanderbilt University offers this accounting degree as a Master of Accountancy. The program is a 12-month, full-time, in-person program in Nashville. The school offers two distinct tracks, MAcc Assurance and MAcc Valuation, and the curriculum is built around preparing students for the CPA exam. The page describes a paid internship opportunity, dedicated career coaching and recruiting partnerships aimed at the Big 4 and other firms. Vanderbilt reports that 100% of graduates accepted an offer within six months, that most start at KPMG, Deloitte, PwC or EY, and that the five-year average first-time CPA pass rate is 91%. It also says most graduates reach manager level in about five years.
Federal data show a 94% graduation rate at Vanderbilt and an admit rate of 6%, so admission is highly selective. The Program Score of 95.0 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. The accelerated one-year format suits students who already hold a bachelor's degree, want to finish quickly and have the CPA license as the goal. Applicants who need a part-time or online route will not find one here, since the program is full-time and on campus.
University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · Public
- Grad rate
- 74%
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
The University of Tennessee's Master of Accountancy is a 10-month program that reports a 100 percent placement rate and STEM designation.
- 74% graduation rate
- Program Score 92.9
- 42% admit rate
- 10-month STEM-designated program
The Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a Master of Accountancy that the school describes as a 10-month commitment starting each fall. It prepares students for careers in assurance, taxes, financial transactions and advisory services, with concentrations in Audit and Controls, Information Management and Taxation. The program has received STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the school reports that 100% of students receive financial support. Haslam reports 100% job placement at graduation, with 78% at national public firms and more than half going to Big Four firms, and says the program has the top CPA pass rate among Tennessee public institutions. Students attend the Neel Corporate Governance Speaker Series each semester, which has featured public accounting leaders, CFOs, PCAOB board members and SEC commissioners.
Tennessee graduates 74% of its students and admits 42% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 92.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a short, full-time, in-person route to public accounting and are comfortable with a competitive admissions pool.
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 85%
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Rhodes College's 32-credit Master of Science in Accounting reports a 100 percent job placement rate, with 75 percent of graduates joining Big Four or other national firms.
- 85% graduation rate
- Program Score 90.2
- 50% admit rate
- 32-credit program with CPA exam review
Rhodes College offers a Master of Science in Accounting, founded in 1993 and rooted in the college's liberal arts tradition. The program requires 32 credits and covers data analytics, accounting research, CPA exam review and systems auditing. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with prerequisites in financial, managerial and intermediate accounting, and preferably taxation or auditing. The program reports a 100 percent job placement rate, with 75 percent of graduates joining Big Four or other national firms and the rest joining regional and local firms or corporations. Every applicant is automatically considered for a scholarship, and two competitive graduate assistantships are available. An annual Meet the Firms event brings accounting employers to campus. The school describes the program as small and flexible, with rolling admission decisions from October 1 to May 1.
Rhodes graduates 85% of its students and admits 50% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 90.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students with an undergraduate accounting background who want a one-year path toward CPA licensure and public accounting recruiting in a small-cohort setting.
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Lipscomb University's 30-credit-hour MAcc is sequenced to the CPA exam, with a 12-hour certificate and an MBA/CPA route as alternatives.
- 72% graduation rate
- Program Score 84.1
- 30 credit hours in about one year
- CPA-aligned curriculum with MBA/CPA option
Lipscomb University offers a Master of Accountancy on its Nashville main campus. The degree is 30 credit hours and takes about one year. Its curriculum is sequenced to align with the CPA exam, and the school says its students' first-time pass rate exceeds the national average, with many finishing the exam before the program ends. Students may add an optional full-time internship during busy season. Professionals who need 12 or fewer accounting hours for CPA eligibility can instead earn the Graduate Certificate of Accountancy for Professionals. A third route combines 18 hours of MBA coursework with 18 hours of MAcc coursework. Those without the prerequisites can take the accelerated, online Accounting Boot Camp, which begins in May. Classes are small, and in-residence executive faculty add real-world mentorship.
Federal data shows a 72% graduation rate at Lipscomb and a 68% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 84.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a short, CPA-focused graduate degree, as well as career changers and working professionals who need only a few more accounting hours.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Middle Tennessee State University's Master of Accountancy can be taken online, on campus or both, with a tax or assurance specialization and optional CPA review for credit.
- 54% graduation rate
- Program Score 77.3
- Online, on-campus or both
- Tax or assurance specialization
Middle Tennessee State University's Master of Accountancy lets students take courses online, on campus or a combination of both, studying part time or full time and finishing in one to three years. Course schedules include asynchronous work and synchronous classes during the day, late afternoon or evening. Students can add a tax or assurance specialization and can take CPA exam preparation courses for degree credit. The curriculum has students use industry tools including Tableau, Alteryx and Excel, and builds analytical thinking, communication and ethics. The department works one-on-one with each student on a custom degree plan. The page says both the Department of Accounting and the Jones College of Business hold AACSB accreditation. The next start date listed is August 24, 2026.
Federal data shows a 54% graduation rate at MTSU and a 69% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 77.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals, career changers and experienced accountants who want control over format and pace while preparing for CPA licensure.
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 51%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
The University of Memphis online MS in Accounting is ten fully online courses that can be finished in 12 months.
- 51% graduation rate
- Program Score 74.1
- 10 courses, 12 months
- 100% online
The University of Memphis delivers its Master of Science in Accounting online through UofM Global. The program consists of ten fully online courses that can be completed in 12 months. The school describes the curriculum as preparing students for the CPA exam and for certifications such as the CIA and CMA. Coursework covers auditing, taxation, cost accounting and financial accounting, along with quality improvement processes, compliance strategies and risk management. The program also emphasizes developing accounting strategies, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and ethical and legal issues. The page points to career settings in public accounting, corporate roles, government, nonprofit organizations and business schools, and mentions forensic accounting as one specialized direction.
Federal data shows a 51% graduation rate at the University of Memphis and a 72% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 74.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working accountants and career builders who need a fully online format with a fixed 12-month schedule and who are aiming for CPA or related certification.
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Belmont University's Master of Accountancy is STEM-designated and can be finished in as little as one year or stretched to three.
- 71% graduation rate
- Program Score 73.6
- Finish in 1 to 3 years
- STEM-designated; average core class of 25
Belmont University's Master of Accountancy, offered through the Massey Graduate School of Business, prepares students to sit for the CPA exam and pursue careers in public or private accounting. Most courses are taken in the accounting department, with electives drawn from the Massey MBA offerings. The program can be completed full or part time in as little as one year or as many as three. Students with accounting degrees can start in the fall, spring or summer, while students with other degrees begin in the summer with the Summer Accounting Institute, which covers the 18 hours of undergraduate accounting prerequisites. Core classes average 25 students and electives average 14. The curriculum covers federal taxation, financial accounting, governmental and not-for-profit reporting, and data mining and predictive analytics. The school reports the program is STEM designated.
Federal data shows a 71% graduation rate at Belmont and a 95% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 73.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits career changers who need prerequisites, working professionals who want flexible pacing, and international students who value a STEM designation.
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 50%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Master of Accountancy offers Professional, Forensic Data Analytics and Executive concentrations and a 30-hour degree requirement.
- 50% graduation rate
- Program Score 70.1
- 81% admit rate
- 30-hour degree, online option
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers a Master of Accountancy through the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, with an online option. The admissions page lists Professional, Forensic Data Analytics and Executive concentrations. The degree requirement is 30 hours, not counting foundation courses. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any major from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70, or 3.00 over the last two years, along with a 3.0 in undergraduate accounting coursework. Admission also requires at least two of six accounting background courses and all five business background courses, each with a grade of C or better. Students admitted to the Executive concentration without a principles of accounting sequence take ACC 5855 in their first semester. Applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines in mid-June for fall and early November for spring.
UTC graduates 50% of its students and admits 81% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 70.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits career changers with any bachelor's degree who can complete the prerequisite courses, as well as working accountants who want an online or executive-style route to a master's in accountancy.
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Athens, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 48%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Tennessee Wesleyan University's 100% online MBA offers an accounting concentration among eight pathways and can be completed in as little as 12 months.
- 48% graduation rate
- Program Score 68.9
- 69% admit rate
- 100% online, as few as 12 months
Tennessee Wesleyan University offers a Master of Business Administration delivered 100% online and designed for busy working professionals. The school says students can finish in as little as 12 months and choose from eight concentrations, including Accounting, Finance, Healthcare Management, Information Technology, Management, Marketing and Social Entrepreneurship. The accounting concentration includes courses in corporate financial accounting and reporting, corporate and managerial auditing, and corporate and individual taxation and regulations, and students must have completed intermediate accounting, auditing and tax accounting or their equivalents. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a completed master's degree, plus official transcripts. Current Tennessee Wesleyan undergraduates in the traditional day program can apply to an accelerated 4+1 option that starts graduate coursework before the bachelor's degree is finished.
Tennessee Wesleyan graduates 48% of its students and admits 69% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 68.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits working adults who want an online master's with an accounting emphasis and already have the accounting background courses, and current Tennessee Wesleyan students who want to shorten the path to a graduate degree.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Accounting Master's Programs in Tennessee
The median school on this list graduates 72% of its students. The highest rates belong to Vanderbilt University (94%) and Vanderbilt University (94%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Vanderbilt University94% graduation rate
- #2 Vanderbilt University94% graduation rate
- #4 Rhodes College85% 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 Tennessee?
On this list, 3 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Vanderbilt University at 6%.
- #1 Vanderbilt University6% admitted
- #2 Vanderbilt University6% admitted
- #3 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville42% 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 Tennessee
This list holds 4 public and 6 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 75.7 public and 87.2 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 Tennessee Are
The 10 ranked schools are spread across 6 cities. Nashville (4) and Memphis (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 Tennessee
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,198 at Tennessee Wesleyan University to 38,728 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Of the 10, 3 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 Tennessee Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt | $128,337 |
| #2 | Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt | $128,337 |
| #3 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennessee-Knoxville | $112,249 |
| #5 | Lipscomb UniversityLipscomb | $106,199 |
| #6 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityMiddle Tennessee State | $93,230 |
| #7 | University of MemphisMemphis | $95,794 |
| #8 | Belmont UniversityBelmont | $91,357 |
| #9 | The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaTennessee-Chattanooga | $91,432 |
Graduates of Vanderbilt earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $128,337; the lowest figure here is $91,357 at Belmont.
Vanderbilt 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 Master's in Accounting Programs Cost in Tennessee
Cost is the first filter for most applicants comparing accounting programs. Among the 10 Tennessee programs in this ranking, in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $65,008 at Vanderbilt University, a $56,804 spread for the same degree title. Public options cluster at the low end: Middle Tennessee State ($8,204), University of Memphis ($8,856), and UT Chattanooga ($8,458) all charge under $9,000 for a full master of accountancy.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the standout value among Tennessee's graduate accounting options: $11,560 in-state tuition against a 74% graduation rate and a 92.9 Program Score, the second-highest score in the state. Compare that to Vanderbilt, where tuition is 5.6 times higher ($65,008 vs $11,560) for a graduation rate only 20 points higher (94% vs 74%). Private schools like Rhodes College ($56,300), Belmont University ($40,560), and Lipscomb University ($37,460) sit in between, charging a premium for smaller class sizes and private-school brand recognition.
Run the math before enrolling. A $56,804 tuition gap between the cheapest and priciest programs in this ranking is real money that a starting accountant, earning close to the national median of $94,160 a year according to BLS wage data, has to pay back. If the public option's accreditation and outcomes match the private option's, the cheaper program is the better financial bet.
How to Become a CPA in Tennessee
Tennessee's Less is More Act of 2025 opened a second pathway on January 1, 2026: a bachelor's and two years of experience, beside 150 hours and one year. Both routes need 30 accounting hours, 24 of them upper-division, and 24 business hours.
| 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: a completed bachelor's degree with 18 upper-division accounting 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 Tennessee'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 Tennessee 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.
AACSB Accreditation and Why It Matters for Master's in Accounting Programs
Accreditation status separates strong programs from ones that don't meet a rigorous, externally audited standard. AACSB accreditation is the gold standard in business education, held by a minority of business schools nationally, and it signals that a program's faculty research output, curriculum, and student outcomes were reviewed against peer institutions.
An accredited MAcc matters at two points for graduates of Tennessee's accounting programs: when the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy reviews your transcript for CPA eligibility, and when employers screen resumes for recruiting. Ask any Tennessee school directly whether its business school, not just the university, carries AACSB or ACBSP accreditation before you enroll; it is not automatic.
Vanderbilt, UT-Knoxville, and the state's other top-ranked programs all hold accredited status, but accreditation alone does not separate a $65,008 program from an $8,204 one. Verify cost and outcomes alongside accreditation instead of treating accredited as a synonym for best.
The Top Master's in Accounting Programs in Tennessee, Ranked
Vanderbilt University leads Tennessee's top-ranked accounting programs with a 95.1 Program Score, a 94% graduation rate, and $65,008 in-state tuition, the most expensive program in the state but also among the most selective. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ranks third overall at 92.9, with a 74% graduation rate and tuition of just $11,560, the best combination of quality and price in the state.
Rhodes College, a smaller private liberal arts school, scores 90.2 with an 85% graduation rate at $56,300 in-state tuition, well ahead of larger public schools on completion rate but well behind on cost. Lipscomb University (84.1 score, 72% graduation rate, $37,460 tuition) and Belmont University (73.6 score, 71% graduation rate, $40,560 tuition) round out Nashville's private options.
Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, and UT Chattanooga anchor the affordable public tier, all under $9,000 in-state tuition, with scores from 70.1 to 77.3 and graduation rates between 50% and 54%. Tennessee Wesleyan University (68.9 score, 48% graduation rate, $29,414 tuition) closes out this list, still an accredited option but with the lowest completion rate in the set relative to its cost.
Online and Accelerated MAcc Options in Tennessee
Several of Tennessee's accounting programs offer online or hybrid delivery for working students, letting you keep a job while finishing the 150-hour route. Public schools like the University of Memphis and UT Chattanooga, both under $9,000 in-state tuition, are the most common starting point for students comparing online options on cost first.
An accelerated MAcc, often a five-year combined bachelor's-to-master's track, lets students hit 150 credit hours a year or more faster than enrolling in a separate graduate program after undergrad. Middle Tennessee State University and University of Memphis both structure their programs around this kind of integrated pathway, which cuts total tuition compared to paying for two separate admissions cycles.
Online delivery does not lower the bar on accreditation. Confirm that an online or hybrid section of any Tennessee accounting program carries the same AACSB or ACBSP accreditation as the on-campus version, since some schools run online cohorts through a separate, non-accredited continuing-education division.
- #7 University of MemphisMemphis, TN
- #9 The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN
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.
Accountant Salaries and Job Outlook for Tennessee Graduates
Nationally, accountants and auditors earn a median wage of $94,160 a year, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook for accountants and auditors. That figure is a national field median, not a Tennessee-specific or school-specific number, and it applies the same regardless of which of the 10 ranked accounting programs a graduate attended.
A CPA license typically raises earning potential above the median BLS figure over a career, which is the core financial argument for choosing a master of accountancy that reaches the 150-hour route instead of stopping at a bachelor's degree. Check BLS wage data (OEWS) directly for Tennessee-specific metro pay if you want numbers beyond the national median cited here.
Weigh salary potential against what you paid. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University's $8,204 program and a graduate of Vanderbilt's $65,008 program compete for the same national median wage on paper; the difference is how many years of that salary it takes to recover tuition.