Accounting Schools in Oregon

This page offers information on undergraduate and graduate accounting degrees in Oregon. Students can choose degree programs that suit their lifestyles and interests, such as full-time programs, accelerated programs, and part-time, hybrid, or fully-online programs for working professionals. Schools in Oregon also offer numerous concentrations and certificates in different fields of accounting. The page below provides details about accounting program options and career opportunities in Oregon.

Quick Facts

• 30 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Oregon.¹
• 21 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 15 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 14 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 7 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 4 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• No programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 5 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 3 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 3 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• 3 schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Oregon Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Oregon 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 Oregon business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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 Oregon

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

• University of Oregon (#112)
• Oregon State University (#124)
• Portland State University (#194)
• University of Portland (#230)²

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

• Oregon State University (#5)
• Portland State University (#24 tie)
• George Fox University (#79 tie)
• Eastern Oregon University (#170-214)
• Linfield University (#170-214)⁵

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

Ehe National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases reports including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.¹¹ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Oregon 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 Oregon being 54.7%:

1. George Fox University 72.7%
2. University of Oregon 71.9%
3. Oregon State University 60.7%
4. University of Portland 54.5%
5. Portland State University 44.3%

*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 Oregon with Accounting Degrees

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

George Fox University

At George Fox University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Financial Services with an Accounting Concentration. This degree program offers experiential learning opportunities and combines a faith-based curriculum with coursework in finance, business, and accounting. The program includes a 42-credit hour Business Administration Core with an additional 30 hours for the Accounting Concentration that teaches technical skills, critical thinking, and analytics expertise. Required classes include Advanced Analytics in Financial Services, Accounting Information Systems, and Advanced Accounting. Students can earn credit towards their degree by participating in George Fox’s Tax-Aide program, which assists members of the community with income tax preparation. The Justice for Fraud Victims class provides students with the opportunity to work with local law enforcement and forensic accountants on white-collar crime cases. Students also have the option to complete a field experience course that allows them to gain supervised experience in businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies.

University of Portland

At the University of Portland (UP), students can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting with an optional concentration in Business Analytics, Corporate Accounting, or CPA Tax. The undergraduate degree requirements include core liberal arts classes, business fundamentals, and accounting major-specific courses. Accounting students take courses such as Accounting Information Systems, Business Taxation, Auditing, and Cost Accounting. These courses prepare students for professional designations that can be pursued as undergraduates, such as Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Those interested in the CPA examination can apply for the dual-degree BBA and Master of Business Administration (MBA) program that can be completed in five years.

Warner Pacific University

Warner Pacific University (WPU) offers on-campus Associate of Science (AS), Bachelor of Science (BS), and accelerated Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting degree programs. The AS degree prepares students for entry-level positions in bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing, but students may also transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. The BS in Accounting is a traditional four-year program that prepares students to work in finance careers in positions such as accountants, managers, analysts, and consultants. The curriculum includes a general education core taught from a Christian worldview, a required internship, and accounting core classes such as Managerial Accounting, Individual Taxation, and Accounting Information Systems. Students also have the opportunity to gain experience in tax preparation for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program as an elective. WPU’s BA in Accounting is an accelerated program designed for working adults who have already completed some college-level coursework. Classes are held one night per week and students can complete the degree in 18 months.

Graduate Accounting Programs

University of Oregon

Students at the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon (UO) can earn a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree that comprises 45 credits and can be completed in one academic year. The curriculum focuses on advanced accounting subjects such as Taxes and Business Strategy; Accounting Measurement and Disclosure; and Financial Statement Analysis. After completing the core curriculum, students can choose from numerous advanced accounting electives. UO offers professional development seminars and connections with alumni and industry partners. Those without an undergraduate degree in accounting may need to complete some prerequisite courses before beginning the program. UO’s 3+1 Accounting Pathway is available for qualified incoming freshmen, allowing them to complete both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting as well as a MAcc in just four years. Graduate students interested in careers in teaching at the collegiate level or research can pursue UO’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University (EOU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting with an optional Concentration in Certified Managerial Accounting. This degree can be completed on-campus or entirely online, and students are prepared for further study and preparation for the CPA designation. The program starts with a core curriculum covering some liberal arts classes and business courses. Students then take specialized accounting courses such as Financial Accounting, Taxation of Individuals, Managerial Accounting, and Cost Management. Accounting majors can also choose from electives like Investments or Project Management, Planning, and Control. EOU also offers a fully online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree program designed for working professionals that can be completed in 18 months on a full-time basis or in 36 months part-time. The curriculum comprises 45 credits and includes classes such as Governmental Accounting and Auditing; Financial Reporting Theory; and Accounting Ethics in the Public Sector. The online Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate is available for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to fulfill the educational requirements for the CPA examination. Graduates from EOU go on to work as public accountants; personal financial planners; internal auditors; or forensic, tax, or government accountants.

Oregon State University

Students at Oregon State University (OSU) can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from the College of Business with one of three focus areas: Information Security, Assurance, and Analytics; International Business; or the Dean’s Academy, which is offered to high-achieving students by invitation only. Students can complete the BS degree online or in-person at the Corvallis campus. The OSU undergraduate core curriculum is completed before beginning the business and accounting curricula, which includes required classes such as External Reporting, Cost Management, and Accounting Analytics. Coursework focuses on the theory and techniques used in real-life business decisions as well as the technical skills used to report financial information. Students learn through lectures, case studies, projects, presentations, and seminars, in addition to experiential learning opportunities such as field activities, internships, and networking events. OSU also offers an Accelerated Master’s Platform which allows accounting students to work towards a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Science (MS) in Business while completing their undergraduate degree. Graduates are prepared for careers in the field of accounting such as tax accounting, cost accounting, and auditing.

Portland State University

At Portland State University (PSU), students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting. PSU’s undergraduate accounting degree programs are offered fully online, fully on-campus, or in a hybrid format. They are designed to prepare students for careers in areas such as taxation; consulting; auditing; and corporate, managerial, governmental, and nonprofit accounting. Both the BA and BS programs comprise 180 credits and require courses such as Financial Reporting, Managerial Accounting, and Auditing. Undergraduate accounting students are eligible for PSU’s accelerated pathway program that allows them to earn a BA or BS in Accounting and a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) or a Master of Taxation (MT) in five years. The MSF is offered on campus, but the MT program is available online, with one on-campus residency every term, and can be completed in 12 months on a full-time schedule or in 24 months part-time. The academic calendar is structured to accommodate full or part-time employment during tax season so students can pursue related work experience. Students learn advanced taxation knowledge as well as analytical and critical thinking skills. PSU also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate both on-campus and online for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to meet the educational requirements for the CPA examination.

Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University (SOU) offers both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with an Accounting Concentration that can be completed online. This program is offered with tracks in Public Accounting and Management Accounting. The Public Accounting Track comprises 36 credits and is designed for students interested in CPA licensure, while the Management Accounting Track comprises 24 credits and is for students interested in accounting from a management and systems perspective. SOU also offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a Concentration in Accounting that is ideal for those interested in careers as corporate accountants, consultants, auditors, financial analysts, or business leaders. Through courses such as Economic Analysis, Advanced Organizational Behavior, Financial Management Practices, and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making, students learn accounting knowledge and skills that are relevant to the industry. The courses focus on skills in accounting information systems, business valuation, and financial statement analysis. Online courses are offered in a seven-week format, and the program consists of 45 credit hours that can be completed in as little as 16 months. SOU’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting can also be completed online and is for bachelor’s degree holders who need to complete the educational requirements for the CPA examination. SOU’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting can also be completed online and is for bachelor’s degree holders who need to complete the educational requirements for the CPA examination.

Related Articles:

• Business Schools in Oregon
• Online MBA Programs in Oregon
• Bachelor’s in Forensic Accounting

Oregon CPA Requirements

According to the Oregon Board of Accountancy (the Board), those who wish to become publicly certified accountants in Oregon must complete 150 credit hours and have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. After passing the four-part Uniform CPA examination, candidates must log at least one year of full-time or 2,000 hours of part-time experience in public accounting under the supervision of a CPA. After all of these requirements are met, candidates can apply for licensure, which must be maintained through continued professional education (CPE) hours.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Grad in Oregon

Both CPA-holders and students who enter the workforce immediately upon graduation may find many different employment opportunities in Oregon. Oregon-based accounting firms such as Aldrich Advisors, Perkins & Co, and Jones & Roth actively recruit accounting graduates. Other state and local businesses may offer positions in management or accounting roles. Oregon is home to offices of many large CPA firms, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Local branches of the IRS and other government entities also employ large numbers of accounting, tax, and finance experts.

Oregon Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Oregon 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.

Eastern Oregon University
1 University Blvd
La Grande, OR 97850
(541) 962-3672
https://www.eou.edu/

Student Review: “Eastern Oregon University’s program for accounting is mixed with the business administration program. It involves at least 30 credits of accounting with emphasis on financial accounting and managerial accounting. Classes are also offered in not for profit and corporate accounting. I have enjoyed all of the accounting classes especially not for profit where I felt I learned a great deal. I do wish there was more emphasis on different computer programs that are used in the accounting field such as Sage 100. I believe it is a skill I will need to obtain employment after graduation. Overall it has been a great experience and I feel that I have a good grounding in accounting theory and if I chose to follow the CPA path I am well prepared. I have taken most of the accounting classes online and the teachers have been quick to respond with help when I had question or was stuck on a homework problem.” -Christa S., student at Eastern Oregon University

Portland Community College
12000 SW 49th Ave
Portland, OR 97219
(971) 722-6111
https://www.pcc.edu/

strong>Student Review: “I studied accounting through an online program at Portland Community College. Online courses allowed me to work at my own pace, at my own convenience, and in the comfort of my own home. All of the tools I needed to succeed were readily available, including access to help from the instructors or tutors, outside resources and materials to expand one’s learning opportunities, and access to up-to-date technology. The course materials were also up-to-date, which is important in our ever-changing economy. I enjoyed learning about accounting practices and procedures. The instructors were all seasoned accountants, economists, or computer specialists with the knowledge and experience needed to effectively teach the courses. They also expressed optimism about future career opportunities in the field. Accounting itself is fairly easy to learn in an online environment, but I did have some difficulty with other necessary courses in the curriculum, such as Economics and Management. Economics, for example, is a somewhat complex social science, and learning about it through books or text-based discussions leaves something to be desired. Overall, however, my experience taking accounting courses online at PCC was very rewarding and I would recommend the same for any student interested in doing so.” -Student at Portland Community College

Student Review: “To put it frankly, my program felt utterly un-engaged. I understand that at a community college you can only anticipate so much depth from programs, as you are meant to go on to a four year college afterwards, but I witnessed the depth other programs gave, such as bioscience majors. Accounting and business, meanwhile, felt like being handed a list of rules, with no expectation of real-world experience, told to repeat the rules on a test, and then shipped out the door. The teachers were able to make it engaging on their own, but as a whole it felt like I was going through prerequisites and not the program itself.” -Student at Portland Community College

Portland State University
1825 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 725-3000
https://www.pdx.edu/

Student Review: “I had a pretty positive experience in Portland State University’s accounting program. I gave it a 4 and not a 5 because I was very bored and didn’t feel like I was getting much out of it at first. The initial classes that everyone has to take were presented in a very monotone and boring fashion. I almost changed majors because I didn’t want to go through an entire major and be bored. Granted, accounting isn’t a very glamorous profession to begin with, but I think you can make it more interesting than lecturing straight out of a text book. Once I got into the upper level courses, I was pleasantly surprised. All the teachers had real world experience, and most of them still have full time accounting positions, either with a large company or an accounting firm. It was very refreshing to be able to talk to someone with real world experience, that wasn’t the case in the lower-level classes. I felt like I always had someone to bounce questions off of, and the accounting department even helped me find internships while I was in school and for the summers so I could get some real world experience while at school prior to finding a job. Overall, I was very happy with the resources that PSU provided for accounting students. The professors were great and excited to teach.” -Student at University of Portland

Student Review: “I would say my overall experience in Portland State University’s accounting program was a good one. I felt the curriculum was sufficient to gain the knowledge needed to take the next step in becoming an accountant. I had a very basic understanding of accounting going into the program and I never felt like I couldn’t keep up. The staff was very welcoming and their office doors were always open if I was struggling with a concept or had general questions. My only complaint is that I wish I had more teachers with real world experiences. Most of the teachers I had, at least until I got into higher level classes, seemed to be career teachers with no accounting work experience.” -Student at University of Portland

University of Oregon
1585 E 13th Ave
Eugene Oregon, 97403
(541) 346-1000
https://www.uoregon.edu/

Student Review: “My teachers have always been very available after class to answer questions and concerns. The problems I’ve experienced were related to large class sizes, expensive and unnecessary books, and poorly scheduled classes. We have wonderful and technologically advanced facilities and top notch professors who seem to genuinely care about our success. Obtaining our undergraduate elective credits is easy and fun. We have a large school with lots of options. I took two years of French and had the opportunity to study abroad. Another benefit at our school is that although we have to buy many overpriced books, we have the opportunity to sell them back at almost full price. We have accounting tutors who are on staff full time every term. We have a staff of mentors and advisors just for our business college. I felt like I had a lot of help along the way to getting my degree.” -Emily C., student at University of Oregon

Student Review: “The program was definitely designed for students to pass the CPA (which affords the best work opportunities post graduation). If you follow the coursework as planned, you should have enough credits and practice in all four areas to sit for the CPA upon graduation. However, I felt that the teachers were hit or miss. One issue with Oregon is that it’s a research institution, so the majority of the professors are there to write and publish papers, not necessarily teach. This can be an issue for some students, but if you’re willing to self-learn (when needed), the degree you get from this school will definitely open doors for you with great firms looking for accountants.” -student at University of Oregon

Popular Accounting Degree State Pages:

• California
• Idaho
• Nevada
• Washington

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, Oregon: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_or.htm