Accounting Schools in Texas

There are numerous colleges and universities in Texas offering accounting degree and certificate programs. These programs include study in in-demand areas like forensic accounting, managerial accounting, and information systems accounting, as well as many other subject areas. This guide to accounting schools in Texas presents detailed information on your options, including profiles of accounting programs and career information to support your educational decisions. Online accounting schools can also be a good fit for self-directed learners seeking scheduling flexibility. Continue reading below to learn more about accounting schools in Texas.

Quick Facts

• 94 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Texas.¹
• 41 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 31 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 62 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 55 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 14 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• 6 schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• 3 programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 8 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 14 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 17 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in Accounting.⁸
• 2 schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Texas Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas

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

• Texas A&M University-College Station (#9)
• University of Texas at Austin (#16)
• Texas Christian University (#35)
• Baylor University (#39)
• Southern Methodist University (#42)
• University of Texas at Dallas (#71)
• Texas Tech University (#86)
• University of Houston (#123)
• El Centro College (#127)
• University of North Texas (#148)
• Trinity University (#150)
• Austin Community College District (#169)
• University of Texas at San Antonio (#199)
• Texas State University (#225)²

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

• Baylor University
• Southern Methodist University
• Texas A&M University-College Station
• University of Houston
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Texas at Dallas³

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

• University of Texas at Austin (#1)
• Texas A&M University-College Station (#40)
• Rice University (#44 tie)⁴

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

• Abilene Christian University (#66 tie)
• Texas A&M University-Commerce (#66 tie)
• Houston Christian University (#91 tie)
• Dallas Baptist University (#98 tie)
• Texas A&M University-Commerce (#98 tie)
• West Texas A&M University (#98 tie)
• Lamar University (#157 tie)
• University of the Incarnate Word (#170-214)⁵

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

• University of Texas at Austin (#1)
• Texas A&M University (#15 tie)
• Baylor University (#44 tie)⁶

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

The 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 Texas 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 Texas being 64.8%:

1. Rice University 93.4%
2. University of Texas-Austin 90.6%
3. Abilene Christian University 81.3%
4. Southern Methodist University 80.5%
5. Trinity University 80.0%
6. Texas Christian University 78.3%
7. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 76.2%

*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 Texas with Accounting Degrees

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

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University (SMU) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Accounting. BBA students start with general education courses and then move on to business core courses. Accounting majors are required to complete seven to eight accounting-specific courses, such as Cost Accounting, Federal Income Tax, and Accounting Systems/Auditing. Students can also choose to add a business specialization, such as Entrepreneurship or Risk Management and Insurance. This program emphasizes the academic foundations necessary in the field as well as the practical experience and professional connections that help graduates find positions in accounting. Graduates work in fields such as public or industrial accounting, consulting, or government. SMU also offers a Master of Science in Accounting that BBA graduates can complete to fulfill Texas CPA requirements.

Texas Christian University

Students at Texas Christian University (TCU) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting in four years. This degree helps prepare students to work in many different financial careers, such as auditing, management accounting, and budget analysis. The core curriculum is designed with the input of accounting industry professionals and accounting alumni so the content stays relevant to the field. Students learn how to prepare financial statements, analyze revenues and costs, and use accounting information to understand management, investments, and tax strategy. The coursework also teaches students the information technology commonly used in the field. An 18-credit-hour Accounting minor is available to those students pursuing a different business major. Those interested in a graduate accounting degree can choose an accelerated track and complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years and be prepared to take the Uniform CPA Examination. Otherwise, a stand-alone Master of Accounting (MAc) is available with concentrations in four areas: MAc Core; Audit and Assurance Services; Taxation; and Financial Reporting and Valuation.

University of Texas at Austin

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting degree. By focusing on both business foundations and accounting knowledge, this program prepares students for a variety of accounting careers. Students take general education courses and core business classes before beginning specialized accounting classes such as Managerial Accounting, Auditing and Control, and Financial Statement Analysis. These classes teach relevant accounting skills, such as how to prepare taxes, how to organize financial records, and how to make business decisions based on accounting information. Students have the option to combine the BBA program with the integrated Master in Professional Accounting (iMPA) track and finish both in five years. UTA also offers an Econ-MPA in which students may earn a BBA in Economics as well as their MPA. An accounting Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is available as well for those students who are interested in the research side of accounting.

Popular Articles: Business Schools in Texas | Online MBA Programs in Texas | Online Business Degrees in Texas | Online Accounting Degrees in Texas

Graduate Accounting Programs

Baylor University

Baylor University offers a 33-credit hour Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. Students learn functional accounting knowledge as well as the practical skills necessary in the field. The core curriculum starts with courses such as Financial Statement Analysis, Management Accounting, Tax Considerations in Business Decisions, and Cases in Accounting, and students also complete additional financial electives. Graduates gain the knowledge and tools to work as accountants, analysts, auditors, and consultants. For students interested in tax accounting in particular, Baylor also offers a Master of Taxation (MTax). Those without an undergraduate degree in accounting must complete some prerequisites before applying to either program. The Baylor University Hankamer School of Business also offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting for 124 credit hours.

Texas State University

At the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University (TXST), students can complete a 30-credit Master of Accountancy (MAcy) degree. The MAcy can be taken without a concentration, but concentrations are available in Auditing, Information Technology, or Taxation for students who wish to further specialize their degree. The MAcy program requires students to have undergraduate accounting coursework, but not a major in accounting. TXST also offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting, which includes coursework in Financial Accounting and Reporting, Survey of Income Tax, and Auditing and Internal Controls. Undergraduate students enrolled in the BBA in Accounting program are eligible to apply for the BBA/MAcy five-year integrated program once they have completed at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. The MAcy degree satisfies the educational requirements for the CPA exam in Texas.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Texas A&M University

At the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in accounting and is available both in person and online. The curriculum includes core and track-specific courses such as Financial Statement Analysis, International Accounting, Business Law, and Accounting Information Systems, and students can also choose from numerous electives. Students learn about financial reporting, business decision-making, and relevant accounting information systems, and graduates are prepared to sit for the CPA examination. The MSA program also emphasizes leadership development, focusing on communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Students have the option to specialize in audit or taxation. Mays Business School offers support, connections, and resources to students for finding post-graduation opportunities in the accounting field. An undergraduate major in accounting is also available as well as a Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), which allows students to complete the BBA and MSA degrees in a combined, five-year course of study. Graduate students may also be interested in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

University of Texas Dallas

At the University of Texas at Dallas’ (UT Dallas) Naveen Jindal School of Management, students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting online. This degree focuses on how to analyze and communicate accounting information to make business decisions, as well as how to organize and audit an organization’s finances. Students take foundational courses such as Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Auditing, and Fundamentals of Tax before choosing from electives like Business Valuation or Accounting Information Systems. This curriculum prepares students with a thorough knowledge of corporate accounting, auditing, and tax accounting. Undergraduate students at UT Dallas can combine the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with the MS in Accounting and complete both degrees in less time in either a Fast-Track format or Professional Program in Accounting (PPA). Students have the choice to complete the MS degree entirely online or as a mix of on-campus and online courses, but those preparing for the CPA examination should be aware that Texas requires 15 of the 30 hours of advanced accounting courses to be completed on campus. Related programs include a Minor in Accounting, an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management Science: Accounting, and a Graduate Certificate in Research Foundations in Accounting.

Related Articles:

• Business Schools in Texas
• Online MBA Programs in Texas

Texas CPA Requirements

In Texas, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) requires applicants to have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and completed at least 150 credit hours. To be qualified to sit for the examination, 24 of these credit hours should be upper-level accounting courses and 24 semester hours should be upper-level business courses. There are also standards of conduct that must be adhered to, as well as required ethics-related coursework. To become board-certified, CPA holders will need to complete at least one year of field experience during which they must accumulate at least 2,000 qualified hours. This work experience must be completed under professional supervision. After gaining a CPA designation, professionals must pursue continuing professional education (CPE) hours to maintain it. These hours can range from self-study to in-person professional development courses. CPAs must complete a set number of CPE hours that vary according to the number of years they have been practicing as a CPA.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Texas

Texas is home to many large and small companies, many of which offer employment opportunities for those with accounting degrees. Government organizations, including public land and recreation sites, may provide positions for accounting program graduates in the state. Several large Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Texas, such as ExxonMobil and retail giant JCPenney. Other national companies like American Airlines and AT&T have headquarters in the state. Financial institutions such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo have corporate centers in Texas, and other statewide banks and regional financial companies offer accounting positions as well. Accounting graduates find many opportunities for success in their field through these companies or through statewide accounting firms or self-employed CPA work.

Texas Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Texas 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.

Amberton University
1700 Eastgate Dr
Garland, TX 75041
(972) 279-6511
https://www.amberton.edu/

Student Review: “I received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration – Accounting degree from Amberton University in Garland, Texas and it an experience that I will never forget. Amberton offers evening, weekend, and even online classes. I was not able to attend college right out of high school, but I got the best second chance when I enrolled at Amberton. I was working full time in an accounting position but I wanted to advance. At Amberton, I could continue working and still receive an accredited education. All of my accounting instructors held the CPA Certification. The majority of my classmates also worked in accounting, so there was a lot of sharing and real world examples in every accounting class. My favorite classes were in intermediate accounting! I really felt like an accountant when I took the Accounting Theory class. I am a proud Amberton University Alumni.” -Student at Amberton University

Lamar University
4400 S M L King Jr Pkwy
Beaumont, TX 77710
(409) 880-7011
https://www.lamar.edu/

Student Review: “I am currently a junior at Lamar University majoring in the Accounting program. The curriculum isn’t hard at all if you put forth the effort to do the work and study. The classes are small plus the professors are easy to contact in person or via email if you need help or have any questions. Lamar offers great tutoring services specified for accounting students which I think is awesome because the subject can get a bit challenging at times. We also have guest speakers who visit frequently to enlighten students on the career itself so that they may choose the correct path. The career center is great at providing resources for job openings in the accounting field along with interns and even setting up events such as Meet the Firms and mixers with big name accounting firms. So far I love program and hope the consistency stays throughout the rest of my time being at Lamar.” -Taliaa T., student at Lamar University

St. Philip’s College
1801 Martin Luther King Dr
San Antonio, Texas 78203
210-486-2000
https://www.alamo.edu/spc

Student Review: “My education could have been better. I went to a community college & it took me four years to get a two year degree. It took so long because I could not get good advice from many of the advisors and keeping track with everything was hard. Toward the end of my schooling, they created a few programs to help, like a GPS for your degree so you can track your own progress. But what I really wish I had was someone to tell me what classes paired better with each other, because I shouldn’t have taken my math classes the way I did. Grouping classes that are related is a better and easier way to get through college.” -Student at St. Philip’s College

Texas A&M University-Commerce
1901 Main St
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 752-7770
https://www.tamuc.edu/

Student Review: “This school offers excellent classes that can have the opportunity to work for you. I say this because unless you belong to a social group, or have friends that graduated from the department, it can be a little hard to get help in this degree program. That being said, I did find the help I needed. The professors are very approachable and can point you in the right direction to an advisor for accounting students. If you are not ready for hard work and lots of lonely nights studying, go elsewhere or get a different degree program. I had to; I couldn’t take the amount of studying I needed to do in order to succeed.” -Glenn D., student at Texas A&M University Commerce

University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 283-7600
https://www.uhcl.edu/

Student Review: “The accounting program at the University of Houston – Clear Lake was a difficult, yet rewarding, experience. The courses for the program were extremely eye-opening, mainly because of the extensive amount of concepts, principles and always-changing policies within the accounting field. However, every accounting professor that I’ve had was more than helpful. They all strongly encouraged one-on-one meetings for those that couldn’t fully grasp the curriculum. They also encouraged their students to attend the university’s accounting association organization meetings, AICPA and American Accounting Association conferences, and to utilize their always available resources, including each other. Many of the professors stressed volunteer work to further develop unemployed/full-time students’ skills: free tax returns for low-income families, shadowing and helping at firms/companies that would accept the offers, etc. They were always incredibly insightful and provided essential information and job skill recommendations. I absolutely loved my experience, and that’s why I’m attending UHCL for my M.S. in Accountancy.” -Student at University of Houston – Clear Lake

University of Texas
Austin, Texas 78712
(512) 471-3434
https://www.utexas.edu/

Student Review: “I enjoyed my experience in UT’s McCombs School of Business accounting program. Although the curriculum was indeed challenging, I felt it was adequate for preparing me for real world accounting situations. My professors were always quite skilled in their field and were very accessible. One thing I liked was that despite the university being quite large, our classes were generally small and offered the opportunity to ask questions. One thing I didn’t enjoy was the competitiveness of my classmates, some of whom would never be inclined to offer help. I suppose that’s to be expected from the number one accounting program in the country. I would certainly recommend the accounting program at UT.” -Student at University of Texas – Austin

University of Texas at Dallas
800 W Campbell Rd
Richardson, TX 75080
(972) 883-2111
https://www.utdallas.edu/

Student Review: “I really like my school’s accounting program. Most importantly, it is very organized and easy to keep track of. The academic counselors are very friendly and they will help you every step of the way. The professors are very knowledgeable and seem actually interested in what they are teaching. They are very engaging to listen to and actually made me not want to miss any classes. It may be a bit pricey but it is well worth it due to the sheer amount of education you get and how great all the professors are. I would recommend this school to anyone pursuing an accounting degree.” – Student at University of Texas at Dallas

University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler, TX 75799
(903) 566-7203
https://www.uttyler.edu/

Student Review: “The University of Texas at Tyler’s accounting program provided me with the tools I needed to become successful. The material was challenging but prepared me for the real world. The best part of the program was listening to my professors describe their experiences in working for the Big 4. Having professors who were experienced gave me a realistic insight on what it would be like once I landed my first job. The most important aspect of the program is that they didn’t just teach GAAP but also IFRS. Although the accounting program had many advantages I disliked the lack of professional organizations that were on campus for accounting majors. I felt as if I needed to join groups that didn’t relate to my major for extracurricular activities.” -Lakendra C., student at University of Texas at Tyler

Related Accounting Degree State Pages:

• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Louisiana
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma

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, Texas: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm