Affordable Online Accounting Degree Programs

An affordable online accounting degree can give students a flexible way to prepare for careers in accounting, auditing, finance and business. But price is only one part of the decision. Students should also compare accreditation, course delivery, career preparation, flexibility and the total education needed for professional credentials. This list compares seven online accounting programs with a focus on affordability and practical value. The goal is to help students find a program that fits both their budget and their long-term career plans.

Looking for an affordable online accounting degree? The University of North Dakota stands out for students who want a fully online Bachelor of Accountancy, the same online tuition rate regardless of residency, and AACSB-accredited accounting education.

Key Takeaways

• UND's Bachelor of Accountancy is fully online with no required campus visits, and online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of state residency
• UND holds both AACSB accreditation and accreditation from the Institute of Management Accountants - two distinct marks of accounting program quality
• CPA licensure generally requires 150 credit hours; UND's B.Acc. requires 120, and the university offers a combined B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway for students who need the additional credits
• Affordability should be evaluated on total degree cost - including fees, transfer credits applied and financial aid - not just the published tuition rate
• Western Governors University's competency-based model allows eligible students to accelerate through material they already know, which can meaningfully reduce total cost

1. University of North Dakota - Bachelor of Accountancy

UND's Bachelor of Accountancy offers one of the strongest combinations of affordability, accreditation and practical accounting preparation available in an online format. Its Bachelor of Accountancy can be completed entirely online, with no campus visits required, and online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of their state of residency. For students comparing accounting programs across state lines, that uniform pricing removes one of the most significant cost variables that can make out-of-state online education more expensive than it first appears.

The program carries AACSB accreditation, which is the highest standard for business school accreditation and the credential that the most competitive accounting employers and graduate programs look for. It also holds accreditation from the Institute of Management Accountants, a recognition of specific quality in accounting and financial management education. Together, these two accreditations give the UND B.Acc. a level of professional standing that is meaningful for students planning careers in public accounting, corporate finance or management accounting.

The curriculum covers the core subjects that accounting careers require and that CPA exam preparation depends on. Students who are planning to sit for the CPA exam should be aware that most state boards require 150 semester hours of education for licensure, while UND's B.Acc. is a 120-credit program. This is not a limitation unique to UND - it applies to virtually all bachelor's-level accounting programs. UND addresses this directly by offering a combined B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway, allowing students to continue into graduate-level accounting study and reach the 150-credit threshold within a structured academic framework rather than piecing together credits from multiple institutions.

For students who want an affordable, fully online accounting degree with the accreditation and curriculum quality that professional careers require, UND delivers on that combination more directly than most programs in this category.

Key differentiator: Fully online Bachelor of Accountancy with the same tuition rate regardless of residency, AACSB and IMA accreditation, and a combined B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway for students preparing for CPA licensure.

2. Western Governors University - Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Western Governors University is a strong option for students who want maximum flexibility in how they complete an online accounting degree. Its competency-based model allows eligible students to move through coursework as they demonstrate mastery of material rather than following a fixed semester calendar. For working adults who already have relevant professional experience or prior academic work, this structure can translate directly into a shorter, lower-cost path to the degree.

WGU's flat-rate per-term tuition means students who move faster pay less overall - an affordability structure that is genuinely different from per-credit pricing and one that rewards students who come in with strong existing knowledge.

Key differentiator: Competency-based online education with flat-rate tuition, allowing eligible students to accelerate through material they already know and reduce total degree cost.

3. University of Maryland Global Campus - Bachelor's in Accounting

University of Maryland Global Campus is one of the most established online universities in the United States, with a long history of serving adult and nontraditional students. Its accounting program is delivered fully online and is designed around the realities of students who are managing work, family or other responsibilities alongside their degree. UMGC has also invested in a robust transfer credit evaluation process, which can be a meaningful affordability factor for students who have prior college credits to apply toward the degree.

Key differentiator: Online education with a strong focus on adult learners and a well-developed transfer credit process that can reduce total cost for students with prior college experience.

4. Southern New Hampshire University - Online Accounting Degree

Southern New Hampshire University offers online business and accounting education built around students who need scheduling flexibility. Its multiple start dates throughout the year, straightforward transfer credit policy and online-only delivery make it a practical option for students who cannot follow a traditional academic calendar. SNHU is among the most accessible entry points into online accounting education for students who are new to or returning to higher education.

Key differentiator: Flexible online learning designed around nontraditional students, with multiple start dates and an accessible transfer credit process.

5. Purdue Global - Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Purdue Global provides career-focused online education for adult and working students. Its accounting program is built around professional preparation and is designed for students managing degree completion alongside employment. The Purdue name provides employer recognition that some other online-focused institutions cannot match, which is worth weighing as part of the overall value calculation alongside tuition.

Key differentiator: Career-focused online accounting education designed for working adults, with the professional recognition associated with the Purdue University name.

6. Franklin University - Bachelor's in Accounting

Franklin University has built its academic model specifically around adult and nontraditional students, including those returning to school and students bringing prior credits into a degree completion program. Its accounting degree offers flexible delivery and a transfer-friendly approach that can reduce the number of credits students need to complete, which directly affects affordability. For students who are re-entering higher education or completing a degree started elsewhere, Franklin's focus on that experience is a practical advantage.

Key differentiator: Strong adult-learner focus and flexible degree completion options, with a transfer-friendly approach suited to returning students.

7. Arizona State University Online - Accounting

Arizona State University Online gives students access to accounting and business education through one of the largest public research universities in the United States. Its online platform provides scheduling flexibility while connecting students to ASU's broader academic resources, faculty and alumni network. For students who place weight on the professional and academic recognition of a major public university alongside online delivery, ASU Online is a strong comparison point.

Key differentiator: Online accounting education backed by the academic resources and professional recognition of a major public research university.

How to Think About Affordability in Accounting Programs

The most useful way to evaluate the true cost of an accounting degree is not to compare published tuition rates in isolation. Total cost depends on how many credits you still need to complete, how much transfer credit the program will accept and apply, whether fees are included in the tuition rate or added separately, and what financial aid is available.

Residency-based tuition is one of the most significant hidden cost factors in online education. Many universities charge different rates to in-state and out-of-state online students even when the program is delivered entirely online. UND's uniform online tuition rate removes this variable entirely, which is why it is the most straightforward affordability option for students comparing programs across state lines.

CPA licensure planning also affects cost calculations. If you plan to sit for the CPA exam, you will likely need 150 credit hours of education regardless of which bachelor's program you choose. Factoring in the cost of reaching that threshold - whether through a combined bachelor's/master's pathway, additional coursework, or a separate graduate program - is essential to understanding the true investment of any 120-credit bachelor's degree.

FAQs

What is the most affordable online accounting degree?
 The University of North Dakota's Bachelor of Accountancy stands out for affordability because online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency, the program is fully online with no campus visits, and it carries both AACSB and IMA accreditation. Western Governors University is also a strong affordability option for eligible students who can use its competency-based model to accelerate their progress.

What is the best affordable online accounting program?
 UND's B.Acc. is the strongest combination of affordability and academic quality on this list. Its AACSB accreditation, IMA accreditation, residency-independent tuition and fully online delivery distinguish it from most programs competing on price alone.

Is an online accounting degree worth it?
 Yes, for most students. An online accounting degree carries the same credential value as an on-campus degree and allows students to work while they complete it. Accreditation matters - programs accredited by AACSB or IACBE are more consistently recognized by employers and graduate programs.

Can I earn an accounting degree entirely online?
 Yes. All seven programs on this list offer online delivery. UND's Bachelor of Accountancy is specifically structured for fully online completion with no required campus visits.

How much does an online accounting degree cost?
 Costs vary significantly by institution and residency status. UND's uniform online tuition rate makes cost estimation straightforward regardless of state. WGU's flat-rate per-term model rewards students who can move quickly. For all programs, total cost depends on transfer credits applied, fees, and financial aid.

Can an online accounting degree prepare you for the CPA exam?
 Yes. A strong online accounting program with appropriate coursework provides the academic foundation for CPA exam preparation. However, most state boards require 150 credit hours for CPA licensure - more than a standard 120-credit bachelor's degree provides. Students should plan for this gap before choosing a program.

How many credits do you need to become a CPA?
 Most states require 150 semester hours of college education for CPA licensure. A standard bachelor's degree provides 120 credits. Students typically bridge the gap through a master's in accounting, additional undergraduate coursework, or a combined degree program such as UND's B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway.

What can you do with an online accounting degree?
 Accounting graduates work in public accounting, corporate finance, tax preparation, auditing, government accounting, financial analysis and bookkeeping. The degree also provides the academic foundation for pursuing professional certifications including the CPA, CMA and CIA, and for continuing into graduate accounting or business study.