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    Accounting Schools in New Jersey

    Table of Contents

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

    This page offers information about accounting programs in New Jersey. Many colleges and universities in the state offer bachelor’s degrees, such as Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA) or Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBAA) degrees, as well as Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degrees. Some schools offer immersive on-campus programs, while others may offer flexible online or part-time options. This guide to accounting schools in New Jersey will help you learn about different types of degrees, program rankings, and career outlooks in the state.

    Quick Facts

    Comparison of New Jersey Accounting Schools and Programs

    The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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
    Atlantic Cape Community College—UG Cert-Bookkeeper CredentialsN.Av.23%$10,465$9,500$33,438
    Berkeley CollegeIACBEAAS-Accounting;
    BBA-Accounting; 5-Year Accelerated BBA/MBA;
    MBA-Accounting    		N.Av.44%$17,068$23,251$39,808
    Bergen Community College—AAS-Accounting;
    AAS-Banking and Finance    		N.Av.25%$9,085$12,000$43,896
    Bloomfield College—BS-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MBA;
    MS-Accounting    		84.0%34%$20,320$26,746$43,765
    Brookdale Community College—Business AAS-AccountingN.Av.29%$8,962$12,000$41,157
    Caldwell UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting    		96.0%68%$20,612$25,000$53,908
    Camden County College—AAS-AccountingN.Av.22%$2,957$11,851$38,913
    Centenary UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
    BSBA-Accounting;
    BSA/BSBA-Finance CPA-Prep Dual Major    		97.6%62%$21,935$23,163$54,748
    Drew University—BBA-Accounting79.7%74%$28,183$25,288$55,906
    Essex County CollegeACBSPAS-AccountingN.Av.17%$4,999N.Av.$35,692
    Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus—BS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MBA-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting-    		84.6%61%$21,408$25,000$57,054
    Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus—BS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MBA-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting-    		84.7%51%$16,030$25,000$57,054
    Felician UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MBA    		92.0%52%$15,743$25,000$55,992
    Georgian Court UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting    		79.6%54%$18,187$21,816$47,161
    Hudson County Community College—AAS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.17%$5,377$10,500$33,662
    Kean University—BS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting    		79.2%51%$10,747$23,250$52,714
    Mercer County Community College—AAS-AccountingN.Av.17%$5,680$10,500$39,881
    Middlesex College—AAS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.27%$6,358$9,750$43,640
    Monmouth University—BSBA-Accounting;
    MBA-Advanced Accounting    		83.5%68%$31,416$27,000$65,306
    Montclair State University—BS-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MS-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Professional Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Forensic Accounting    		90.6%65%$13,742$22,000$57,008
    New Jersey City UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MS-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Professional Management Accounting    		90.7%39%$19,252$18,500$50,417
    Ocean County College—UG Cert-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination    		N.Av.40%$11,676$11,150$42,749
    Passaic County Community College—AAS-Accounting;
    AS-Accounting/Management/Marketing;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.13%$6,811$7,536$34,762
    Ramapo College of New Jersey—BS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MSA;
    MS-Accounting    		70.1%70%$16,262$21,000$62,810
    Raritan Valley Community College—AAS-Accounting;
    AAS-Accounting Information Systems;
    UG Cert-Bookkeeping    		N.Av.32%$6,715$10,500$46,402
    Rider UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
    MAcc;
    Grad Cert-Forensic Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting    		82.0%67%$26,388$26,130$59,215
    Rowan College at Burlington County—AS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.29%$6,650$10,500$42,857
    Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland CampusACBSPAAS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.29%$7,272$12,000$39,780
    Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester CampusACBSPAAS-Accounting;
    UG Cert-Accounting    		N.Av.32%$6,939$12,000$39,780
    Rowan University—BS-Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Advanced Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting    		83.8%68%$20,963$20,500$56,115
    Rutgers University-Camden—BS-Accounting;
    Minor-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MAcc;
    MAcc    		78.7%65%$14,151$21,500$69,748
    Rutgers University-New Brunswick—BS-Accounting68.2%84%$17,535$21,500$69,748
    Rutgers University-Newark—BS-Accounting77.4%66%$16,578$21,500$69,748
    Saint Peter’s UniversityIACBEBS-Accountancy;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MBA;
    MS-Accountancy;
    MBA/MSA Dual Degree    		92.8%60%$11,996$20,500$52,442
    Salem Community College—Business Administration AS-AccountingN.Av.40%$10,154$9,500$39,777
    Seton Hall UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
    MBA-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting;
    MS-Professional Accounting;
    Grad Cert-Accounting    		76.6%72%$33,472$22,750$68,307
    Sussex County Community College—AS-AccountingN.Av.33%$10,423$11,000$40,772
    The College of New Jersey—BS-Accountancy;
    Minor-Accountancy    		62.0%86%$22,273$23,250$70,578
    Thomas Edison State UniversityACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
    BSBA-Accounting/CPA;
    Minor-Accounting;
    MS-Accounting    		N.Av.N. Av.N.Av.$12,500$59,275
    Union County College—AAS-AccountingN.Av.35%$7,399$15,091$38,608
    Warren County Community College—AAS-Accounting ManagementN.Av.31%$3,290$9,300$37,995
    William Paterson University of New Jersey—BS-Accounting;
    5-Year Accelerated BSA/MBA    		83.3%56%$12,967$22,334$52,855

    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 New Jersey

    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

    • Rutgers University Newark
    • Seton Hall University
    • Rider University
    • Rutgers University-New Brunswick
    • Montclair State University
    • The College of New Jersey
    • Ramapo College of New Jersey2

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

    • Rider University
    • Seton Hall University3

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

    • Rutgers University-Camden (#24 tie)
    • Berkeley College (#79 tie)5

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

    • Rutgers University-New Brunswick (#39 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey being 49.7%:

    1. Thomas Edison State College 77.6%
    2. The College of New Jersey 59.4%
    3. Rutgers University-New Brunswick 57.5%
    4. Kean University 55.1%
    5. Rowan University 47.4%
    6. Caldwell College 44.4%

    *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 New Jersey with Accounting Degrees

    To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in New Jersey, 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

    Seton Hall University

    The Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University (SHU), offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. This program covers fundamental business topics in addition to specialized accounting subjects. Students learn the technical knowledge needed in the field as well as analytical and communication skills and professional ethics. The core curriculum includes subjects such as accounting theory, cost measurement issues, budgetary control, auditing, taxes, financial reporting requirements, and information systems. Students can also complete an optional internship as part of their studies and graduate with additional experience on their resume.

    The College of New Jersey

    The School of Business at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accountancy. The Accountancy major curriculum includes 10 accounting courses that cover both theory and current industry practices with an emphasis on research and computer applications. With the guidance of an academic advisor, interested students can choose to pursue a second major, a minor, or additional electives to complete the 150 semester hours required to sit for the CPA examination. Students also have the opportunity to work with faculty to do research projects, complete an internship, or study abroad. TCNJ offers courses in career planning for accountants in which students can develop professional skills and plan for possible careers in the public, corporate, not-for-profit, and government accounting sectors. Students can also network with local accounting professionals or visit nearby Philadelphia or New York City to explore post-graduation employment opportunities.

    Rowan University

    The Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. The core curriculum includes courses such as Cost Accounting/Strategic Cost Analysis, Auditing, Federal Taxation, and Accounting Information Systems. These courses are designed with input from an accounting advisory board, a group of accounting professionals who advise what knowledge is most necessary in the field. Students can pursue a specialization with their degree, earning an undergraduate certificate in Forensics and Fraud Investigations or Business Analytics. Rowan University offers professional development events, support in finding internships, and an active mentorship program for students. BS in Accounting graduates can go on to pursue further advanced study or careers in professional accounting and financial management.

    Graduate Accounting Programs

    Montclair State University

    Students at Montclair State University can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). The curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of the accounting field, as well as the complexities and real-world issues in the industry. Students learn functional and technical skills through courses such as Internal Auditing; Ethics in Accounting and Business; Fraud Examination; Business Valuation; and Financial Statement Analysis. MSA students can earn a supplementary graduate certificate in Accounting, Professional Accounting, or Forensic Accounting, and students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting at Montclair can combine their degrees with the MSA to finish in five years. MSA applicants with an undergraduate degree in accounting or business are preferred.

    Caldwell University

    Caldwell University offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree. The 30-credit program is ideal for those looking to pursue the CPA designation, and the curriculum covers both the examination material and fulfills the 150-semester hour requirement for licensure. Caldwell University’s MSA program is offered in an on-campus, hybrid, and online format so that working professionals can choose the schedule that best works for them. Core courses include Federal Taxation, Accounting Information Systems, and Financial Statement Analysis. Students can also choose from various accounting electives like Forensic Accounting, Advanced Business Strategy, and Executive Business Communications. Those without an undergraduate accounting or business background may need to complete additional prerequisite courses before beginning the program.

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    Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

    Rider University

    Rider University offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree that can be completed entirely online. This degree is designed for current accounting professionals who are interested in fulfilling the requirements to become a CPA. Students enter the program at one of six different start times as part of a cohort to finish in as little as 21 months. The curriculum follows current accounting industry practices and the application of accounting fundamentals, and students learn about regulatory developments and the knowledge necessary in the field. After completing the core curriculum, students can choose electives that match their career interests, including adding a concentration in Business Analytics, Finance, Information Systems, Sport Management, or Forensic Accounting. For those without an accounting academic background, up to 18 credits of prerequisites, including Fundamentals of Federal Taxation, Cost Management, and Principles of Auditing, must be completed prior to application.

    Rutgers University

    At Rutgers University, students can earn a fully online Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Students who need a less traditional school schedule while preparing for professional designations like CPA or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can take advantage of this online program, which can be completed on a full-time basis in as little as 12 months, or on a part-time basis for those who need more flexibility. This program is ideal for recent accounting grads and comprises 30 semester hours. Students take advanced accounting courses such as Advanced Auditing, Accounting Analytics, Forensic Accounting, and Advanced Taxation. Rutgers connects with local and statewide accounting firms to offer networking opportunities to graduate students, and the university also supports professional development and career planning for students.

    New Jersey CPA Requirements

    To begin applying for CPA licensure in New Jersey through the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, applicants must complete at least 120 hours of applicable accounting coursework at an accredited university and must also possess at least a bachelor’s degree. CPA candidates can then sit for the uniform CPA examination. After passing the examination, applicants must complete a year, or at least 1,750 hours, of field experience in accounting, as well as an additional 30 semester hours of coursework, for a total of 150 hours. The state tends to be somewhat flexible in terms of what type of experience it will accept. Unlike some states, New Jersey usually counts auditing and private industry work as qualified experience. A supervising CPA must verify your work. Even after licensure, individuals must complete Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements to maintain the professional designation.

    Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in New Jersey

    Those who choose to pursue the CPA designation may find many opportunities within the state to work for local, statewide, national, and international companies in various accounting roles. New Jersey is home to locations for each of the “Big 4” accounting firms, providing many possible career opportunities for accounting program graduates. New Jersey’s proximity to the nation’s financial epicenter New York City also attracts many accounting graduates to the state. Those who complete their accounting education through one of the state’s institutions may find opportunities for employment in New Jersey, New York, or Philadelphia.

    New Jersey Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

    Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton PA-NJ2,970$80,580
    Atlantic City-Hammonton670$84,940
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD29,800$87,000
    Ocean City190$88,580
    Trenton2,780$95,380
    Vineland-Bridgeton300$87,510

    New Jersey 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.

    Camden County College
    200 College Dr
    Blackwood, NJ 08012
    (856) 227-7200
    https://www.camdencc.edu/

    Student Review: “I enjoyed my experience in the accounting program at Camden County College. I found the curriculum to be challenging in that it kept me interested in learning the skill of accounting; however, it was not too challenging. I always managed to be able to pass my classes without a problem.” -Student at Camden County College

    Fairleigh Dickinson University
    1000 River Rd
    Teaneck, NJ 07666
    (201) 692-2000
    https://www.fdu.edu/

    Student Review: “I transferred to FDU from Princeton in my senior year as an Economics major, adding a minor in Business & Accounting. I spent 2 years at FDU taking core classes and business/accounting to fill my minor; unfortunately FDU does not offer Intermediate Macroeconomics so I had to take classes at Drew University nearby to satisfy the requirement. The accounting course at FDU was reasonably challenging, the workload was not exceedingly difficult and you could skip classes as much as you wanted provided you could learn enough on your own to pass the exams. Accounting is simple enough to do if you remember and follow all the rules, I feel the courses at FDU were easy enough to not scare off mathophobic people but challenging enough to interest financial wizards.” -Student at Fairleigh Dickinson University

    Georgian Court University
    900 Lakewood Ave
    Lakewood Township, NJ 08701
    (732) 987-2700
    https://georgian.edu/

    Student Review: “Georgian Court University has an excellent accounting program. The class sizes are small allowing more one-on-one time then in a traditional large college classroom. The professors are down to earth and make the learning experience not only relevant but enjoyable. The instructors go above and beyond to help you if you are struggling. I never had any problems contacting or making appointments with any of my professors. Our cost accounting class gave us a realistic project teaching us how to integrate our learning within the real world. It was very challenging. In the end, I feel my problem solving skills are on a level I did not possess before attending. These skills apply beyond accounting.” -Wendy L., student at Georgian Court University

    Kean University
    1000 Morris Ave
    Union, NJ 07083
    (908) 737-5326
    https://www.kean.edu

    Student Review: “I love the fact that the teachers really know their material and apply it to every day life and teach you actually what you will need to know to succeed in the corporate world as an accountant. What I do not like is the fact that it is hard to get an appointment with the teachers to discuss your grades. Also, it is hard to understand some of the professors because most of them are from foreign countries and it makes it difficult to understand the material. I have had to go to a lot of tutoring classes for simple things that probably would have been avoided by an English speaking professor.” -Nicole M., student at Kean University

    Monmouth University
    400 Cedar Ave
    West Long Branch, New Jersey 07764
    (732) 571-3400
    https://www.monmouth.edu/

    Student Review: “The accounting Program at Monmouth University was great for me and I feel like it really advanced me along toward the career I want. It was a challenging program. The classes that were needed to get a degree and the overall curriculum were somewhat of a problem for me. However, I was able to get through it with the help of some excellent teachers and tutors that were available to all the students at almost a moment’s notice. They gave you the option of taking some online courses to help improve your overall work ethic and help you understand the material needed to graduate. I felt that the one thing that could be improved was the guest speakers that were invited to come and speak. There were a few good speakers that really understood the accounting field and helped me understand it as well. Yet, I just felt there could have been more. My overall experience at Monmouth was excellent and I would choose to go again in a heartbeat.” -Patrick S., student at Monmouth University

    Montclair State University
    1 Normal Ave
    Montclair, NJ 07043
    (973) 655-4000
    https://www.montclair.edu/

    Student Review: “Montclair’s accounting program definitely had its challenges at times. Most of the professors believed in the philosophy that you earn your grade so those that put in the hard work will be rewarded. The material was difficult unless you practice examples multiple times. For Cost Accounting 307, repetition was certainly the key to success. The teacher believed in making us think so the test would never resemble homework questions exactly, but make you think outside the box. All of the answers were attainable if you understood the concept which made it the hardest, but most rewarding class. One teacher for Taxation 305 taught right from the book in a monotone voice by just reading facts and exceptions which was the worst class and therefore I got my lowest grade in all of school there with a C. Overall, Montclair has a great accounting program and it helped me obtain an internship.” -Matthew W., student at Montclair State University

    Student Review: “While at was Montclair, learning accounting and how to be a highly effective accountant was very fun. The curriculum consisted of very educational and interactive classes. Professors were highly knowledgeable and accessible, providing time outside of their normal schedule for assistance if we needed it. Throughout the program, we got to listen to guest speakers who were professionals in the field who work for medium-to-large companies. They offered essential advice on how to achieve accountancy goals and deal with real-life accounting scenarios and situations. I also loved the provision of the excellent CPA review class. It was tough, but the course was offered by a very reputable professional education service provider and it was very streamlined and efficient. We also used excellent software in class for solving accounting problems. The use of technology was undoubtedly essential. Overall, it was an outstanding run in college, and Montclair saw to it that it would become that way all along.” -Student at Montclair State University

    Rowan University
    201 Mullica Hill Rd
    Glassboro, NJ 08028
    856-256-4000
    https://www.rowan.edu/

    Student Review: “I enjoyed my college experience at Rowan University. I pursued an accounting degree which I received after spending four years there. The curriculum was challenging but rewarding as well as it prepared me for employment upon graduation. As with most Universities, some professors are better than others. I found most of mine to be very pleasant and sincere in their devotion to the students. They were also accommodating if a special circumstance occurred. One that comes to mind is when I was entering my last semester. There was one class I needed to graduate that wasn’t offered that semester. After informing my academic advisor of the issue, they substituted another class I could take so that I could graduate on time.” -student at Rowan University

    Student Review: “I am going into my final semester at Rowan University and will be graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Overall I can say the accounting program at Rowan is average/slightly above average. There are a few cons about the program that continue to bug me. My program doesn’t require you to get an internship in order to graduate. I feel that it should be required because it really helps you get your foot in the door before you graduate. The text books that I am required to buy for each class are almost never used which really gets on my nerves. Lastly, it seems that grading in the accounting program of my school is very inflated. This may seem good to me now but I don’t know how that will affect me in the future. Like I said before, I would say my experience in the accounting program at Rowan has been mediocre.” -student at Rowan University

    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, New Jersey: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nj.htm