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

71 public colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Texas.¹
30 private not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Texas.¹
32 schools offer a certificate in accounting.*¹
37 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.*¹
61 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.*¹
42 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.*¹
2 programs ranked in US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018.²
2 programs ranked in US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018.³
6 schools ranked in the Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018.⁴
5 schools ranked in Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016.⁵

*Public or private not-for-profit colleges and universities only.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Texas

US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018

University of Texas at Austin #1
Texas A&M University #25 tie

US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018

University of Texas at Austin #1
Texas A&M University #28 tie

The Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018

Baylor University
Southern Methodist University
Texas A&M University
University of Houston
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Dallas

Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016

University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business) #6
Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business) #21
Texas Christian University (Neeley School of Business) #24
University of Texas at Dallas (Naveen Jindal School of Management) #88
University of Texas at San Antonio (College of Business) #113

AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Texas

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is a globally recognized organization that provides accreditation for undergraduate and graduate accounting programs. Only 186 accounting programs are currently accredited and have been found to meet the rigorous standards established by the AACSB.⁶ The following accounting programs in Texas have been accredited by the AACSB:

Baylor University (Hankamer School of Business)
Texas A&M University (Mays Business School)
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi (College of Business)
Texas Christian University (Neeley School of Business)
Texas State University (McCoy College of Business)
Texas Tech University (Rawls College of Business Administration)
University of Texas at Arlington (College of Business)
University of Texas at Austin (Red McCombs School of Business)
University of Texas at Dallas (Naveen Jindal School of Management)
University of Texas at El Paso (College of Business Administration)
University of Texas at San Antonio (College of Business)
University of Houston (C.T. Bauer College of Business)
University of Houston Clear Lake (College of Business)
University of North Texas (College of Business)

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

Each year, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.⁷ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Texas in 2015 for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall average pass rate for Texas being 59.4%:

Texas Christian University 81.6%
University of Texas at Austin 81.1%
Abilene Christian University 79.4%
University of Dallas 72.2%
Southern Methodist University 67.8%
Hardin Simmons University 66.7%
Texas Wesleyan University 66.7%

Schools in Texas with Accounting Degrees

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

University of Texas at Austin

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBA) 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 Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) track and finish both in an accelerated five years. The accounting program at University of Texas at Austin is ranked as number one in the country by US News & World Report.

Texas Christian University

Students at Texas Christian University can earn a bachelor’s degree 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. 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.

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University 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 specialize with six to eight accounting-specific courses, such as Cost Accounting, Federal Income Tax, and Accounting Systems/Auditing. This curriculum emphasizes how to measure, organize, and communicate financial information through accounting tools. Students can also choose to add a business school concentration, 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 can go on to 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.

Graduate 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. The curriculum includes core 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.

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 University also offers a Master of Taxation. Those without an undergraduate degree in accounting must complete some prerequisites before applying to either program.

Online Accounting Programs

Texas State University

At the McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University, students can complete a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Accounting partially online. The accounting education at TSU provides the foundation for a career in business. The curriculum includes courses such as Intermediate Financial Accounting, Survey of Auditing, and Cost/Managerial Accounting, as well as numerous accounting and finance electives. These courses emphasize accounting and management theory, as well as the practical application of accounting skills and common ethical issues in the field. About half of this BBA can be completed online, although students must complete certain courses on campus. Graduates from Texas State can go on to work in private firms, businesses, government organizations, or not-for-profit institutions.

University of Texas Dallas

At the University of Texas at 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 a Bachelor of Business Administration with the MS in Accounting and complete both degrees in five years. Students have the choice to complete the 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 that 15 of the 30 hours of advanced accounting courses be completed on campus.

Texas CPA Requirements

In Texas, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy 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, 30 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 which must be adhered to, as well as a state-administered ethics exam. 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 Grads 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 many positions for accounting program graduates in the state. Several large Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Texas, such as ExxonMobil and retail giant J.C. Penney. 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

Metro Area	Accountants & Auditors Employed	Average Annual Salary
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos	11,450	$71,540
Corpus Christi	1,710	$67,550
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington	37,960	$81,120
El Paso	1,790	$62,010
San Antonio-New Braunfels	8,300	$74,130
Waco	750	$77,260

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of March 2018.⁸

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

Prairie View A&M University
FM 1098 Rd & University Dr
Prairie View, TX 77446
(936) 261-3311
www.pvamu.edu

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

Tarleton State University
1333 W Washington St
Stephenville, TX 76401
(254) 968-9000
https://www.tarleton.edu/home/

Texas A&M University
College Station
TX 77843
(979) 845-3211
https://www.tamu.edu/

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

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Dr
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
(361) 825-5700
http://www.tamucc.edu/

Texas A&M University Galveston
1001 Texas Clipper Rd
Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 740-4400
http://www.tamug.edu/

Texas A&M International University
5201 University Blvd
Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 326-2001
http://www.tamiu.edu/

Texas A&M University–Kingsville
955 University Blvd
Kingsville, TX 78363
(361) 593-2111
http://www.tamuk.edu/

Texas A&M University Texarkana
7101 University Ave
Texarkana, TX 75503
(903) 223-3000
http://www.tamut.edu

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 Arlington
701 S Nedderman Dr
Arlington, TX 76019
(817) 272-2011
https://www.uta.edu/uta/

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 El Paso
500 W University Ave
El Paso, TX 79968
(915) 747-5000
https://www.utep.edu/

University of Texas of the Permian Basin
4901 E University Blvd
Odessa, TX 79762
(432) 552-2020
https://www.utpb.edu/

University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
1201 W University Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(866) 441-8872
http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/

University of Texas at San Antonio
1 UTSA Cir
San Antonio, TX 78249
(210) 458-4011
http://www.utsa.edu/

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

West Texas A&M University
2501 4th Ave
Canyon, TX 79016
(800) 999-8268
http://www.wtamu.edu/

Related Accounting Degree State Pages:

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
3. US News & World Report Best Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2018 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2017.
5. Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-best-undergrad-business-schools/
6. AACSB-Accredited Universities and Schools, Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
7. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2015 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016 State
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Texas: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm