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    Accounting Schools in Massachusetts

    Table of Contents

    1 – Comparison of Schools and Programs
    2 – Top-Ranked Schools in Massachusetts
    3 – Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates
    4 – School Profiles
    5 – Massachusetts CPA Requirements
    6 – Career Opportunities for Graduates

    This page provides information about colleges and universities that offer accounting degrees in Massachusetts. Some schools have undergraduate programs, such as Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting, and others offer graduate programs like a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). Programs may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis. Some degrees can be completed partially online and there are even fully online accounting programs in the state. Read on below to find out more information about different program options, possible degree concentrations, and career opportunities in accounting in Massachusetts.

    Quick Facts

    Comparison of Massachusetts Accounting Schools and Programs

    The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Massachusetts to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see the tables on our Massachusetts business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

    SchoolAccreditationAccounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate10Grad Rate1Avg Net Price1Median Debt*10Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10
    American International CollegeIACBEBSBA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		57.9%37%$18,317$27,000$53,069
    Assumption University—BA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    Minor-Fraud Examination & Forensic Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BA-Accounting/MBA    		86.5%72%$28,911$27,000$74,451
    Babson College—BSBA-Accounting86.5%25.4%$28,400$20,000$111,604
    Bay Path University—BS-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting    		75.4%47%$18,502$24,901$46,065
    Bentley UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
    BS-Corporate Finance and Accounting;
    MS-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting    		60.9%88%$44,233$25,023$111,896
    Boston College—BS-Accounting;
    BS-Accounting for Finance and Consulting;
    Minor-Accounting for CPAs;
    Minor-Accounting for Finance & Consulting;
    MS-Accounting    		19.0%91%$30,559$19,000$96,325
    Bridgewater State University—BS-Accounting and Finance: Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting and Finance;
    MS-Accountancy;
    Grad Cert-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Finance    		86.4%56%$17,225$24,286$54,750
    Bristol Community College—ASBA-AccountingN.Av.22%$6,204$8,243$37,312
    Bunker Hill Community College—AS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting Information    		N.Av.17%$8,857$10,500$48,670
    Cambridge College—BA-Managerial Accounting:
    Accounting Concentration    		N.Av.0%$21,178$21,791$45,145
    Cape Cod Community College—ASBA-AccountingN.Av.23%$9,348$12,000$34,516
    Clark University—MS-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting Analytics;
    MBA/MS-Accounting    		48.0%76%$32,053$26,759$55,982
    College of Our Lady of the Elms—BA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    Accelerated BA-Accounting/MBA    		67.9%75%$23,498$25,000$55,648
    College of the Holy Cross—BA-Accounting42.9%91%$34,679$27,000$83,583
    Curry CollegeIACBEBS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    4+1 Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MS-Accounting    		80.3%52%$31,091$25,000$47,598
    Dean CollegeIACBEUG Cert-Accounting73.6%45%$32,219$25,000$45,140
    Eastern Nazarene College—BS-Accounting64.1%49%$20,283$26,000$45,838
    Elms CollegeIACBEBA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BA-Accounting/MBA;
    MBA-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting and Financial Planning    		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.
    Emmanuel College—BA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		73.9%66%$32,273$27,000$56,728
    Endicott College—BS-Accounting77.2%78%$39,496$27,000$68,403
    Fisher CollegeIACBEBS-Management: Accounting72.4%26%$26,257$25,000$40,552
    Fitchburg State UniversityIACBEBSBA-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting    		85.3%56%$15,535$24,239$58,741
    Framingham State UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		83.8%55%$17,715$25,000$54,242
    Gordon College—BA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		77.4%69%$24,483$26,250$54,542
    Harvard University—MBA-Accounting and Management4.0%98%$19,491$14,000$95,114
    Holyoke Community College—AS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.25%$7,927$8,250$35,116
    Lasell UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting85.1%61%$29,706$26,000$58,576
    Lesley UniversityACBSPBS-Business Management: Accounting87.0%61%$32,414$21,000$47,821
    Massachusetts Bay Community College—AS-Accounting;
    AS-Accounting MassTransfer;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.18%$6,872$6,500$39,705
    Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsACBSPBS-Accounting;
    BSBA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		91.0%56%$15,377$23,750$45,341
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology—PhD-Accounting4.1%95%$20,232$14,768$124,213
    Massasoit Community College—ASBA-AccountingN.Av.19%$9,024$10,000$41,324
    Merrimack College—BSBA-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Fraud and Forensic Accounting    		80.3%68%$37,296$27,000$69,459
    Mount Wachusett Community College—ASBA-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting/Bookkeeping    		N.Av.27%$7,889$10,252$37,044
    Nichols CollegeIACBEBSBA-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting    		84.8%58%$27,192$27,000$57,385
    North Shore Community College—AS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.21%$8,444$9,000$39,211
    Northeastern University—BSBA-Accounting;
    BS International Business: Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting and Advisory Services;
    4+1 MS-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting;
    MSA/MBA Dual Degree;
    Grad Cert-Accounting and Financial Decision Making    		18.4%91%$35,827$24,250$88,842
    Northeastern University Professional Programs—BS-Finance and Accounting Management;
    UG Cert-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Advanced Accounting    		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$24,250$88,842
    Northern Essex Community College—AS-AccountingN.Av.19%$7,390$9,000$38,836
    Quincy College—BAS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.16%$14,744$13,874$50,865
    Quinsigamond Community College—UG Cert-AccountingN.Av.21%$6,809$16,575$38,839
    Roxbury Community College—AS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.14%$9,672N.Av.$38,758
    Salem State University—BSBA-Accounting;
    BSBA-Finance and Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSBA-Accounting/MSA;
    MS-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting    		90.0%55%$19,277$25,000$54,581
    Simmons University—BSBA-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		83.5%74%$24,423$24,840$61,222
    Springfield CollegeIACBEBS-Accounting76.9%73%$27,930$26,250$47,049
    Stonehill College—BSBA-Accounting72.0%79%$31,021$25,000$75,976
    Suffolk UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
    Minor Accounting;
    4+1 BSBA-Accounting/MSA;
    MS-Accounting;
    MSA-Corporate Accounting and Finance;
    MSA-Forensic Accounting;
    MSA-Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting Principles;
    MBA-Forensic Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Foundations of Accounting & Taxation    		88.0%60%$32,270$26,889$65,950
    University of Massachusetts-AmherstAACSBBBA-Accounting;
    4+1 Accelerated BBAA/MSA;
    MS-Accounting;
    PhD-Accounting    		65.5%83%$22,291$22,763$65,645
    University of Massachusetts-Boston—MS-Accounting78.9%51%$17,123$21,974$59,044
    University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth—BS-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting    		92.2%55%$19,700$25,000$55,113
    University of Massachusetts-Lowell—BSBA-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting    ;
    MSBA-Accounting Analytics;
    PhD-Accounting;
    PhD-Business Administration: Accounting    		84.6%71%$17,240$23,704$65,324
    Western New England University—BS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MS-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting    		89.9%67%$30,214$25,500$66,181
    Westfield State University—BS-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting    		94.4%60%$18,021$22,457$52,899

    Table Notes:
    *Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
    **Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

    Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Massachusetts

    College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

    College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

    • Boston College
    • Bentley University
    • University of Massachusetts Amherst
    • College of the Holy Cross
    • Northeastern University
    • Bunker Hill Community College
    • Suffolk University2

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

    • Assumption University
    • Babson College
    • Bentley University
    • Boston College
    • Boston University
    • Northeastern University
    • Stonehill College
    • Suffolk University3

    US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

    • Boston College (#10 tie)
    • Harvard University (#13 tie)
    • Bentley University (#19 tie)
    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (#26 tie)
    • Boston University (#34 tie)4

    US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

    • University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#3 tie)
    • University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (#12 tie)
    • University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#24 tie)
    • Bay Path University (#127 tie)
    • Nichols College (#141 tie)
    • Westfield State University (#157 tie)
    • Lasell University (#170-214 tie)
    • Cambridge College (#170-214 tie)
    • Fisher College (#170-214 tie)5

    US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

    • Boston College (#11)
    • Bentley University (#28 tie)
    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (#35 tie)
    • Babson College (#39 tie)
    • Boston University (#60 tie)6

    Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

    The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.11 The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Massachusetts in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Massachusetts being 62.9%:

    1. Boston College 89.2%
    2. Bentley University 76.1%
    3. Northeastern College 74.9%
    4. Gordon College 73.3%
    5. College of the Holy Cross 72.0%
    6. Babson College 64.6%

    *As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

    Schools in Massachusetts with Accounting Degrees

    To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Massachusetts, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

    Undergraduate Accounting Programs

    Bentley University

    Undergraduates at Bentley University can pursue an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting or a BS in Corporate Finance and Accounting. The programs share many of the same core classes and both emphasize technical knowledge and computer system literacy. BS in Accounting students will take courses such as Cost Management and Federal Taxation, and highly qualified students can get hands-on experience through an internship. The BS in Corporate Finance and Accounting focuses more on business analysis and team communication skills and includes courses like Financial Modeling and Strategic Performance Management. Both the BS in Accounting and the BS in Corporate Finance and Accounting prepare students to sit for the CPA exam, although careful planning of electives is required for those completing the BS in Corporate Finance and Accounting to qualify. Students hoping to meet all of the CPA educational requirements can also complete a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Accounting concentration through Bentley University.

    Northeastern University

    At the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University (NEU), students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) or a Bachelor of Science in International Business (BSIB) degree with an Accounting concentration. This program emphasizes the technical accounting knowledge, as well as the critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and communication, necessary to succeed in the field. Students take core Business Administration courses and concentration-specific courses, including Financial Reporting and Analysis; Advisory Services and Emerging Accounting Systems; and Income Tax Determination and Planning. Coursework also covers accounting information systems and the practical skills needed in the industry. Students can pursue experiential learning through the co-op program, where they can participate in a paid work placement related to their field of study. Undergraduate students can also pursue a combined BSBA and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) that can be completed jointly in just five years.

    Stonehill College

    Students at Stonehill College can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. This program includes broad-based accounting, general education, and core business courses. The coursework focuses on developing students’ critical thinking and practical business communication skills. Core classes in the BSBA Accounting program include Corporate Financial Reporting, Introduction to Data Analytics, and Business Experience. Undergraduate students can pursue internship or mentorship opportunities through the Stonehill Career Development Center, and graduates from the BSBA program may go on to work in business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

    Graduate Accounting Programs

    Boston College

    Boston College (BC) offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) from the Carroll School of Management. The coursework focuses on foundational accounting knowledge as well as the practical application of theory. Coursework emphasizes accounting analysis, organizational behavior, and developing the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to make business decisions. The MSA takes nine to 12 months to complete and includes 11 STEM-focused courses, including Managerial Statistics, which students take in the summer before beginning the program in September. Students with or without accounting backgrounds are welcome to apply to this program.

    University of Massachusetts Amherst

    At the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass-Amherst), graduate students can earn an AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This degree is ideal for those interested in advancing in their accounting careers. Students can complete the program on campus or online, and the curriculum fulfills the educational requirements for CPA licensure. Coursework covers accounting and business knowledge as well as technology and business writing skills. Students can also select one of three optional focus areas: Data Analytics, Forensic Accounting, or Taxation. This program can be completed in two semesters for students attending on a full-time basis, although students can choose a part-time schedule as well. Students who have an undergraduate degree in accounting can choose the Professional Track, while those without academic accounting backgrounds must complete the Transitions Track, which requires some foundational courses before progressing in the program.

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    Online Accounting Programs

    University of Massachusetts Boston

    Through the College of Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB), students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This 30-credit program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, and classes meet in the evening, late afternoon, weekend, or online. Students can choose flexible scheduling, and most classes only meet once per week. Core courses include Federal Tax Planning; Organizational Analysis and Skills; and Financial and Managerial Auditing. The curriculum covers business disciplines as well as specialized accounting knowledge and analysis, and students meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure. Students also learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills in addition to communication and leadership strategies. Those without an academic accounting background may need to complete some prerequisites before beginning this program.

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass-Dartmouth) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that can be completed entirely online. This program is 120 credits in total, but students with associate’s degrees, certificates, or other undergraduate experience can transfer up to 75 credits from a regionally-accredited institution. The core curriculum includes classes such as Quantitative Business Analysis, Financial Management, and Cost Accounting, and students learn how to use accounting information systems and technologies. In addition to subjects like accounting, financial statements, and taxes, the coursework also emphasizes communication and critical thinking skills. UM-Dartmouth also offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Accounting for those interested in pursuing CPA licensure. Online students can find work experience through internship opportunities. Graduates from these programs go on to work in fields including public accounting, management accounting, and auditing.

    Massachusetts CPA Requirements

    The Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy allows CPA applicants to sit for the CPA examination when they have completed at least a bachelor’s degree and 120 semester hours. Once students pass the examination, they must complete at least a full 150 semester hours before applying for licensure. These hours must include 21 hours of accounting courses and nine semester hours of business courses. Students must pass the CPA examination before pursuing their professional experience requirements, which are made up of 2,000 hours of accounting experience certified by a CPA. After gaining licensure, CPAs must complete continuing professional education (CPE) hours to maintain their professional designation.

    Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Massachusetts

    Massachusetts offers many opportunities for graduates with accounting degrees to work within the state. Major accounting firms such as Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young have offices within the greater Boston area, and smaller firms like BDO USA and Wolf & Company have locations in the state as well. Other financial companies, such as Fidelity Investments, have headquarters in Boston. Graduates may find opportunities to work in the state’s large biotechnology and information technology industries in accounting roles, and many accounting positions are also available in statewide and regional small businesses.

    Massachusetts Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

    Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH32,690$97,450
    New Bedford360$86,820
    Pittsfield300$82,100
    Providence-Warwick RI-MA6,650$93,390
    Springfield MA-CT2,140$85,250
    Massachusetts Nonmetropolitan Area360$82,060

    Massachusetts Schools with Accounting Degree Programs

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    Northeastern University
    360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
    (617) 373-2000
    https://www.northeastern.edu/

    Student Review: “My masters of accounting program was geared toward liberal arts majors with no accounting background, basically starting from scratch with debits and credits. However, there were a few students who had taken several accounting courses or even majored in accounting, which put them at a serious advantage compared to the rest of the students in the program. My experience is slightly clouded by how things have turned out for me, as I have discovered that I am not that interested in the accounting profession, yet have no choice but to continue in the field due to the large amount of student loans I took on to pay for my degree. Looking back, it was a very large commitment to a career that I knew little about, which was a very poor decision on my part. The program itself was good, and I was definitely prepared through the financial preparation and taxation courses, as well as an internship at a large regional accounting firm during busy season. But if I could go back in time, I would have done something differently.” -Student at Northeastern University

    University of Massachusetts Lowell
    1 University Ave
    Lowell, MA 01854
    (978) 934-4000
    https://www.uml.edu/

    Student Review: “This was a good program in a nationally ranked business school. The accounting department is under the Isenberg School of Management and all of my accounting classes were located in the Isenberg building right in the middle of campus. The classes were challenging but not too hard for me. I know other students who couldn’t handle the material but I don’t mind math like they did. Managerial accounting was probably the hardest course I took. The class was basically a summary of material from three previous classes I took squeezed into one class. One aspect of the accounting department I hated was the size of the classes. Every class was overcrowded and finding a seat was nearly impossible. Also enrolling in classes was frustrating because they would fill up very quickly.” -Jordan S., student at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Student Review: “I recently completed a degree in Accounting from UMass Lowell. I was generally satisfied, but I think that there could be more resources available for students. I liked that the school’s curriculum provided broad and diverse classes. I took a number of business and general education classes, some of which were not related to my field. This gave me a wider perspective and helped me develop additional skills, which can differentiate me from other job candidates. For example, a database class I took senior year taught me some basic SQL and Access skills. The classes were challenging, but manageable. The most difficult class, Accounting Information Systems, is easily graduate-level work, and I believe it is required for master’s candidates with a bachelor’s in something other than accounting. A change I think could be made would be to add work-study summer classes that could also count for credits. I did work-study for two years and only had one assignment that really demonstrated my relevant abilities. Overall, I think it was a good experience. I did not take advantage of all my opportunities, but someone dedicated to actively working their hardest will find this program to be a great value.” -Zach C., student at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Popular Accounting Degree State Pages:

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
    4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
    5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
    6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
    7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
    8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
    9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/results/
    10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
    11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
    12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Massachusetts: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ma.htm