The 18 Most Affordable Online Accounting Degree Programs 2025

Accounting is one of the most sought-after professions in the world. Having a bachelor’s degree in accounting and gaining certification in other accounting programs opens the door for you to work as an accountant for any business or organization.

These accounting degree programs equip students with the necessary accounting skills needed for managing business finances to attain the organization’s financial goals and for making informed financial decisions.

Some of these accounting skills include the foundational practices in tax preparation, financial analysis, and auditing. Apart from essential accounting skills, students also get business management and critical thinking skills they can apply anywhere.

There are so many top online universities that offer online accounting degree programs to interested applicants. These programs run for four years and qualify you for entry-level accounting roles. Unfortunately, not all these online accounting degree programs are budget-friendly for everyone.

In this article, you will learn about 18 of the most affordable online accounting degree programs.

Let’s get started.

What is Accounting?

Accounting is the process of measuring, analyzing, and communicating both financial and nonfinancial transactions or information. When it comes to the professional line of work, this type of accounting is referred to as financial accounting.

Financial accounting is the process of summarizing, analyzing, recording, and reporting the financial transactions of economic entities such as businesses and corporations.

This type of accounting generates financial statements such as balance sheets and income statements. These financial statements serve as concise summaries of a company's operations, cash flow, and financial position over a given accounting period.

Whether small-scale, mid-sized, or enterprise-level, accounting is a crucial part of running an effective business. Accounting helps individuals and corporations with accurate decision-making, cost planning, and economic performance measurement.

Education in the professional field means taking part in multiple years of study, practical experience, and rigorous examinations in financial accounting (record-keeping), managerial accounting (budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning), cost accounting, and tax accounting operations, among others.

Students are duly trained in financial analysis, public accounting, management accounting, banking, taxation, and finance.

Why Get an Affordable Bachelor’s Degree Online?

There are several reasons why getting an affordable bachelor’s degree online is a smart decision to make. The cost of an online bachelor’s degree in accounting is cheaper online compared to what it costs when you enroll in a physical program.

In addition to the general proceeds of getting your degree, you also enjoy diverse career opportunities and obtain credits contributing towards CPA and other professional examination requirements.

1. Convenient Learning Schedule

The most apparent benefit of obtaining your degree online is the convenience that comes with it. Many institutions offering online learning programs present participants with flexible learning schedules.

There are usually no fixed timetables and students learn at their own pace. Students conveniently focus on other parts of their lives like work while obtaining a degree.

2. Flexible Credit Hours

Many institutions that offer online accounting degree programs provide students with the choice of picking fewer or accounting credits. Depending on what your personal short-term and long-term plans are, you can choose flexible credit hours that you can handle without affecting your plans and schedules.

This benefit allows students to learn at their own pace, giving individuals a scalable chance to carefully determine how their whole educational framework shapes out.

3. Exposure to Technology

Taking an online accounting course means having seamless exposure to the latest tools and technologies required in that line of study.

In the field of accounting, and through unhindered exposure, online courses make it easy for individuals to have a proper practical understanding of accounting software like QuickBooks and FreshBooks.

4. Reduced Educational Expenses

Online degrees are affordable compared to the cost of getting an accounting degree through the traditional way of attending classes on campus.

With student debt one of the most dreaded characteristics associated with obtaining a university degree, online degrees do not just cost less but also save you the cost of travel and accommodation.

These reduced expenses best serve international students looking to get a degree from a reputable educational institution far away from home.

5. Dynamic Student Body

Regardless of where the university is located, online programs generally serve students from all over the world.

With many online courses allowing students to interact virtually, this equates to a worldwide professional network and enriched college experience through exposure to multiple cultures and backgrounds.

Top Online Accounting Degree Programs

1. University of London

Overall Best Online Accounting Degree Program with Most Highly Revered Option and Highest Credit

The University of London presents you with the best online accounting program available on the internet. This university was founded in 1836 and currently ranks in 4th place for Accounting and Finance and 5th for Economics and Econometrics by the QS World University Rankings.

Students obtain a BSc in accounting and finance, where they learn to calculate, report, and evaluate financial information and prepare for a wide range of recognized accounting professions.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 3 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 360 total credits
• Instruction Style: The University of London’s online accounting program makes use of defined timetables which culminate in about 12 to 15 hours of lectures and classes each week.
• Entry Requirements: To qualify, you need to score high GCSE grades with the most at A (7) and A* (8-9). Your GCSE English language and Mathematics grades should not be lower than B (6). For diploma students, there is a requirement of 38 points overall, including a 6 in higher level Mathematics. With A-levels, you require an AAA grade with A in Mathematics and AAB grade with A in Mathematics for contextual admissions.

Benefits

• A highly revered institution that offers 360 total credits which are enough to take the CPA examination without extra credit hours required
• Shorter course duration for full-time students (3 years) than other institutions
• Arranges course tutors and mentors

Pricing

The tuition fees charged by the University of London differ on the type of students: home students pay a tuition fee of £9,250 ($12,592) per year while overseas students pay a sum of £22,430 ($30,535) per year.

Unlike the fees for home students, that of overseas students remains constant no matter the inflation in subsequent years.

2. Trine University

Top-Rated Online Accounting Degree Program for Foreign-Based Students

Trine University is an excellent program that combines cost accounting and financial management coursework with hands-on practical experience in the field.

This online program includes practical training in Peachtree and QuickBooks with online classes held every eight weeks and tuition discounts offered to military students on active duty.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 1-4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 total credits
• Instruction Style: Trine University promotes an asynchronous individually curated schedule, which requires at least 150 semester hours of college education and an additional 42 semester hours of coursework in humanities, mathematics, social sciences, business, and accounting throughout the program.
• Entry Requirements: The educational institution requires completely filing an application, presenting transcripts showing evidence of graduation from an accredited high school, an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) exam, or from all postsecondary schools attended.

Benefits

• Offers a tuition fee reduction for students on active military duty
• Includes practical training in accounting software like Peachtree and Quickbook
• Accepts payments in foreign currency
• HLC and ACBSP accreditations

Pricing

Tuition fees are charged per credit hour, with those of foreign-based students ($500) set higher than that of US-based residents ($399). Students are charged extra fees for a background check, urinalysis drug screen, and medical document tracker. For foreign students, payment in foreign currency is allowed.

3. Maryville University of Saint Louis

Online Accounting Degree Program that Does Not Require SAT or ACT

Maryville's Online Bachelor of Science in accounting program trains students in data analytics, financial reporting, forensic accounting, ethics, auditing, income taxes, accounting information systems, advanced managerial accounting, and strategic accounting.

Students are presented with early-access courses to earn credit. Graduates who complete additional postsecondary work have the chance to sit for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 2.5 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 128 credits
• Instruction Style: Maryville University adopts an asynchronous online learning schedule for students
• Entry Requirements: First-year applicants are required to hold a high school or GED diploma with a minimum 2.5 GPA while transfer applicants, on the other hand, are required to provide official transcripts from previous colleges and hold a minimum 2.0 GPA. No SAT or ACT is required.

Benefits

• Offers support options like career fairs, online tutoring, and mock interviews, among others.
• No SAT or ACT score needed
• Early access courses
• HLC and ACBSP accreditations

Pricing

Maryville University charges a tuition fee of $24,766 and additional fees culminating up to $2,400.

4. Shorter University

Christian Institution with Practical Internship Course

Shorter is a private Christian educational institution located in Rome, Georgia that offers an online accounting program to prepare students for careers in accounting and managerial careers in public accounting firms, corporate firms, governmental and not-for-profit organizations.

This accounting program additionally includes background training in arts and sciences through elective courses outside the Department of Business Administration.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 121 credits of the 150 needed to sit for the CPA license
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous
• Entry Requirements: To qualify, students are required to submit their application and official transcripts. Shorter University requires a 2.5 high school GPA, 2.0 college GPA, SAT (900 minimum), or ACT (19 composite minimum) scores.

Benefits

• Includes training in the use of Quickbooks
• Endows you with 120 out of the 150 credit hours counting towards taking CPA examinations
• Small classroom
• Practical internship course
• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation

Pricing

The university charges an undergraduate fee of $360 per credit hour which is broken down to $25 per course.

5. Colorado State University-Global Campus

Top Online Accounting Degree Program that Offers Both Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Schedule

Colorado State University Global's Bachelor of Science in Accounting trains students on different specializations such as accounting, project management, organizational leadership, human resources, and more.

This university’s curriculum focuses on impacting problem-solving skills in their students. Courses cover important topics such as accounting, auditing, data analysis, marketing, and information systems.

Program Details

• Program Duration: This program can be completed within 2 years with a full-time course load and a fall semester start.
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits
• Instruction Style: Offers both synchronous and asynchronous classes through the Canvas learning platform with the use of video, audio, and text-based materials.
• Entry Requirements: Colorado State University admission is based on selection, with the institution stating it has an acceptance rate of 84% and an early acceptance rate of 87.2%. However, it states that more than half of its applicants should have an SAT score between 1070 and 1280 or an ACT score of 22 and 29. Your GPA score is also important in the admission process. The university charges you $50 as an application fee.

Benefits

• Very short course duration
• combined instruction style
• HLC and ACBSP accreditations

Pricing

The program is priced at $381 per credit, with the fees covering student services and financial aid available.

6. Lakeland University

Affordable Online Accounting Degree Program that Gives You 12-18 Months of Professional Work Experience

Lakeland University offers you a comprehensive accounting program that exposes you to financial accounting, managerial accounting, and many other facets of the accounting profession.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 semester hours of college credit. However, for this program, at least 30 of the 120 credit hours are required to be taken on-campus.
• Instruction Style: Both synchronous and asynchronous schedules are available to you.
• Entry Requirements: Lakeland University requires a high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 or the equivalent of a high school diploma in other educational systems. For transfer students, the requirement is at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a good standing at any accredited institution of higher learning.

Benefits

• Gives you 12-18 months of professional work experience with academic credit earned for your work
• Offers 120 out of the 150 credits needed to take CPA exams
• Presents military personnel with multiple benefits
• Equips you with personal finance tools
• HLC accreditation

Pricing

Lakeland University charges $1,623 per class and $541 per credit with financial aid also available.

7. McKendree University

Best Online Accounting Degree Program that Adopts Generous Transfer Credit Policy

McKendree University offers an online accounting program that trains students in the presentation of financial data, the preparation of business tax returns, and the analysis of managerial and cost data.

This university is located in Lebanon, Illinois, and has approximately 2,290 students in attendance each year.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits
• Instruction Style: With an asynchronous style adopted, online classes are delivered using the course management system Brightspace. All Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) online courses last for eight weeks. Students can take two courses during this eight-week timeframe.
• Entry Requirements: There are no specific requirements for entry, however, to be accepted, you are required to have above-average high school grades to get into McKendree University. This university typically accepts freshmen (B+ students) who average a high school GPA score of 3.4 out of a possible 4.0.

Benefits

• The online support at McKendree includes advising, writing assistance, and tutoring services
• You fully earn 150 credits required for CPA exams by taking extra courses
• Discounted tuition for military personnel
• Generous transfer credit policy

Pricing

This online accounting degree program costs $390 per credit hour, with an additional $70 per credit hour fee for technology and a $125 fee for graduation.

8. Wesleyan College

Excellent Online Accounting Degree Program that Offers Very Short Program Duration

Wesleyan College presents you with a program designed to train you for various future endeavors in certified public accountants (CPAs) and IRS examinations as well as forensic accounting.

Program Details

• Program Duration: You get to complete the program within 18 to 20 months.
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 48 total credits coupled with the completion of 120 semester hours, required core courses with a GPA of 2.25 or higher, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and 30 hours of general education.
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous learning
• Entry Requirements: You need proof of high school graduation or a GED certification, original transcripts from any previous Ed or CHEA-accredited college or university, and the completion of at least 60 transferable credit hours for transfer students. You need to provide evidence of knowledge equal to a semester of coursework in Statistics or Mathematics. To determine this knowledge, you can either take a Mathematics or Statistics course from this university or transfer the needed Mathematics or Statistics requirement from another institution.

Benefits

• Short program duration
• Multiple program start date
• SACSCOC accreditation

Pricing

The program costs $449 per credit hour, with financial aid available in the form of scholarships, loans, grants, employer reimbursement, and veterans benefits.

9. Pennsylvania State University-Global Campus

Top-Rated Online Accounting Degree Program that Offers Additional Online Tutoring and Career Advising Services

Pennsylvania State University-Global Campus offers one of the few online accounting degree programs with AACSB accreditation.

This university provides you with an extensive curriculum designed to help you gain the needed mastery to write the certified public accountant (CPA) exam. It also prepares you for other certifications such as the certified management accountant (CMA), certified fraud examiner (CFE), certified internal auditor (CIA), and a chartered global management accountant (CGMA).

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate:120 total credits
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous style coming with additional online tutoring and career advising services.
• Entry Requirements: You need to have a high school degree or pass the GED tests to apply. For transfer students, completion of 27.1 credits or higher is required while a current Penn State student needs a GPA of 2.0 or higher to enter this major program.

Benefits

• One of the few AACSB–accredited programs online
• Stretched out tuition structure
• Comes with education benefits and financial aid opportunities for military personnel

Pricing

The cost of the degree is determined by the number of courses you take per semester and the number of credits you get from the courses taken. Prices range from $590 per credit to $7,738 per semester.

10. University of Minnesota-Crookston

Affordable Online Accounting Degree Program that Offers Additional Credits Towards CPA

The University of Minnesota-Crookston has an online accounting degree program called the Accounting is a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

This program trains you on how to manage, examine, and communicate financial resources in preparation for a CPA accreditation and career in financial analysis, public accounting, management accounting, banking, taxation, or finance.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits accompanied by an option to take 12 additional credits from four CPA Review courses.
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous
• Entry Requirements: Your application, a $30 application fee, answers to the short essay question(s) on the application, and your high school transcripts or GED results.

Benefits

• AACSB and HLC–accredited online program
• Tuition-free for additional credits over 13
• Additional 12 credits counting towards CPA examination

Pricing

For 13 or more credits per semester, a tuition fee of $5,441 ($418 per credit) is charged per semester.

11. Eastern New Mexico University

Excellent Choice For Eastern New Mexico Residents

Eastern New Mexico University is the newest university in the state, enrolling more than 6,000 students across all its three campuses and presenting you with an online Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting degree.

This online accounting program prepares you for both graduate school and the CPA exam, with additional training in internal auditing as well as fraud examination and public accounting.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits
• Instruction Style: Adopts an asynchronous schedule through the use of Mediasite and Canvas, two live and on-demand lecture capture tools.
• Entry Requirements: Your age affects how you apply and you submit an ENMU admission application, complete your FAFSA application, your official high school and/or college transcripts, or a GED certificate showing the completion date. Your ACT or SAT scores are also needed, with all these requirements differing for transfer, military, returning, and international students.

Benefits

• Tuition reduction for military personnel
• ACBSP-accredited program
• Beneficial tuition fee scheme for residents of New Mexico and certain western states

Pricing

The total cost per semester is set at $3,264 ($272 per credit hour), with fees significantly higher for non-residents of New Mexico. Fully-paid scholarships are also available for students who have a 3.5 GPA or higher.

12. Florida Atlantic University

Best Online Accounting Program with Multiple Start Dates Per Year

Florida Atlantic University’s Online BBA (OBBA) program in accounting prepares you for certification as a certified public accountant (CPA), CIA, CGFM, CISA, CMA, or CFE.

This program trains you in the areas of financial reporting, income taxation, cost allocation and analysis, modern accounting theory, and ethical issues in business.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credit hours are required for the degree
• Instruction Style: An asynchronous schedule is adopted.
• Entry Requirements: Alongside your ACT or SAT score, Florida Atlantic University employs the use of a GPA format generated from 18 high school study units in English (4 units), Mathematics (4 units), Natural Science (3 units), Social Science (3 units), Foreign Language (2 units), and academic electives (2 units).

Benefits

• SACSCOC and AACSB International-accredited program
• Multiple start dates per year
• Additional academic advice
• Benefits for military personnel

Pricing

The tuition fee is set at $261.29 per credit hour for in-state students while out-of-state students pay $720.

13. Gardner-Webb University

Flexible Online Accounting Degree Program that Provides a Monthly Payment Option

Through Gardner-Webb’s Broyhill Undergraduate School of Management, you have access to a fully accredited online Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.

This online accounting degree trains students on how to use accounting information systems and Christian ethics. It also helps students understand the fundamentals of different types of accounting such as cost accounting, taxation, governmental accounting, and non-profit accounting.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 60-63
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous
• Entry Requirements: Gardner-Webb University requires a minimum of 2.5 GPA and an 18 ACT and/or a 950 SAT (Critical Reading and Math) score.

Benefits

• Great for individuals interested in a Christianity-rich environment
• Monthly payment option
• Internship

Pricing

The university’s tuition fee costs $399 per credit hour, with a monthly payment plan offered to you and an additional digital learning fee of $75 charged per semester.

14. Seton Hill University

Easy to Pass Online Accounting Degree Program with Very Dynamic Learning Mediums

Seton Hill University offers you an online accounting degree program that prepares you for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examinations. This university offers online courses and scheduling designed for busy adults.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 total credits
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous learning facilitated through Canvas, email, Google Drive, Microsoft 365, and MySHU, Seton Hill’s intranet.
• Entry Requirements: Although there are no specific requirements apart from applications, Seton Hill University states that its acceptance rate is at 79% with over half of these applicants with an SAT score between 1000 and 1200 or an ACT score between 21 and 27. This institution also considers students’ GPAs as well.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, supervised internship
• Accelerated 8-week sessions
• Very affordable and discounted tuition
• Dynamic instruction style

Pricing

This online accounting certificate costs $4,750 in total per semester.

15. Bay Path University

Dedicated Female Learning Institution with Very Short Program Duration

Bay Path University is a private university in Longmeadow, Massachusetts that offers all women’s undergraduate degree programs. Its undergraduate program in accounting allows you to gain knowledge in core business concepts, put fundamental accounting theories into practice, and participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 1.5 – 3 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 total credits
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous
• Entry Requirements: Admission requires an application, phone interview, submission of official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities, or a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Applicants who wish to transfer but have fewer than 12 college credits have to provide high school transcript(s) or HiSET, TASC, or GED completion documents.

Benefits

• Relatively quicker program completion
• A dedicated female learning institution
• Interviews through phone calls
• NECHE accreditation

Pricing

The tuition and additional fees are priced at $35,781 per academic session.

16. Santa Fe College

Excellent Online Accounting Degree Program with Hybrid Learning Environment

Through its Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting program, Santa Fe College provides you with a curriculum designed to train you in intermediate accounting, managerial accounting, accounting theory, tax, auditing, accounting information systems, and financial statement analysis, among others.

Program Details

• Program Duration: Up to 5 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 total credits
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous learning and requires exams to be taken in a face-to-face environment (proctored).
• Entry Requirements: These include earning a minimum of an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts degree from a regionally accredited educational institution, submitting an application, and submitting transcripts of all previous education.

Benefits

• No requirement for an associate program
• Scholarships
• Hybrid teaching environment

Pricing

In-state tuition costs a total of $7,579.80 while out-of-state tuition costs $25,729.80 per academic session.

17. DeVry University

Quick Online Accounting Degree Program with Great Discount For Military Personnel

DeVry University presents you with both hybrid and fully online undergraduate programs to pursue your degree in accounting. Like other top online accounting degree programs, it offers a sufficient foundational knowledge base to undertake your CPA examinations.

Program Details

• Program Duration: Possibly completed within 2 years and 8 months
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 total credits
• Instruction Style: Synchronous class schedules are held on the university’s online teaching platform, with each week's assignments, topics, notes, instructor lectures, and discussions provided to you before classes.
• Entry Requirements: To gain admission, you engage in an interview with an admission counselor and provide all your high school diploma, GED, post-secondary, and professional degree credentials. You also present your ACT or SAT examination scores.

Benefits

• ACBSP-accredited
• Shorter program duration
• Huge discount for military students
• 24/7 online tutoring

Pricing

The program is available to you for $515 per credit hour. For military students, however, you enjoy over 50% discount on this fee. These cover tuition, access to career services, technology, and 24/7 tutoring.

18. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Low-Cost Online Accounting Degree Program that Offers 5 Additional Credit Units

Saint Mary-of-the-Wood College (SMWC) is a Roman Catholic university that combines your core accounting courses with a solid foundation training in liberal arts education.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 4 years
• Total Credits Required to Graduate: 125 total credits
• Instruction Style: Asynchronous
• Entry Requirements: To enter, you submit an online application, your official high school transcripts or high school equivalency (GED), and your official college transcripts if you attended college and want to transfer credits. An SAT or ACT score is also required to be provided by you.

Benefits

• A little more credit units than others
• Liberal arts education
• Simple entry requirements

Pricing

SMWC charges $30,500 per academic year for its undergraduate programs which consist of $550 worth of additional charges.

Popular Accounting Courses

As a student or potential student of accounting, aside from the general elective courses imported into your curriculum from other departments, the core accounting courses expected to be studied remain similar among online accounting programs.

These core courses are typically geared towards providing you with both foundational and advanced knowledge of accounting principles in financial analysis, reporting, and tax knowledge.

• Intermediate Accounting: This course provides you with a foundational knowledge of financial statement preparation and analysis. income concepts, balance sheet, and reporting standards, and value measurement.
• Ethics: This course deals with the question of ethical decision-making as it concerns accounting. You are taught about the political, societal, legal, and technological factors, among others that guide the behavior of professional accountants within the industry and how these affect their decisions.
• Auditing: This course teaches you financial compliance, electronic data processing auditing, how to use auditing software, and strategies for communicating audit results.
• Taxation: The focus of this course is on familiarizing students with the preparation of tax forms and documents, including itemized deductions, personal exemptions, and property taxes. This course also teaches you about key decision-making processes on taxation, tax liability standards for both individuals and organizations, and income determination concepts.
• Forensic Accounting: This course impacts the necessary skills needed to investigate financial crimes such as money laundering and fraud in businesses and organizations. Forensic accounting is often an elective course offered by these online accounting degree programs.
• Financial Management: Students who major in business administration and accounting require this course. Financial management courses train students on how to set financial goals, different financial analytical skills and strategies for assessing financial opportunities and risks, and how to make good financial decisions.

Admission Requirements to Online Accounting Degree Programs

Admission requirements for entry into an online accounting program greatly depend on the institution. Some institutions adopt strict entry requirements, like The University of London (which requires very high and specific grades) while some are more lenient, like the Maryville University of Saint Louis (which does not require any SAT or ACT score at all).

Nonetheless, there are certain general admission requirements common with these online undergraduate accounting programs.

• ACT or SAT Score: Most online accounting degree programs require ACT or SAT scores and a high school diploma or GED certificate, with a majority looking for a GPA minimum between 2.0 to 3.0.
• Courses: Before you can apply to some online accounting programs, you need to first fulfill general education college courses.
• Transfer Credits: Some online programs allow you to transfer credits earned through an associate accounting degree as part of their requirements. You may be asked to complete necessary coursework from the university or through another one before you can apply.

Regardless, all these depend on the institution you choose to attend as different institutions could consider additional and very specific entry requirements.

How to Choose the Right Affordable Accounting Program

There are a lot of institutions offering you online accounting degrees. Apart from the tuition and additional fees being low enough for you to afford it, there are certain key factors you should consider before choosing an online accounting program.

1. Program Accreditation

Accreditations mean you receive reliable and quality education from the institution. When selecting an institution online, you must make sure it is accredited by a recognized regulatory body.

There are two types of accreditations. The first one is regional accreditations that make it easy for students to transfer credits toward a graduate degree and apply for federal aid.

• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

The second type of accreditation includes those from program-specific agencies which also serve as great indications for very high-quality education.

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

2. Consider and Compare Your Budgeting Constraints

The cost of tuition offered by these learning institutions varies to a considerable extent. While some institutions charge very low on their accounting courses and degree, some maintain the $300 – $500/credit hour average, while others charge higher than this average.

When looking for the best affordable online accounting programs within your budget, compare the different costs of tuition charged by these reliable institutions. Do this to see which gives you the best value within your budget.

3. Check Your Schedule Requirements

Another important factor to consider is your schedule and which institution fits your long-term and short-term plans perfectly.

While various institutions offering these online accounting programs present you with accelerated online sessions that remove months or even years off the traditional program’s length, others do not. Accelerated sessions save you money and help you get into the profession’s workforce faster.

On the other hand, some institutions offer part-time sessions for typically working professionals, which resultantly lengthens the duration of your program. This is, however, a great option for individuals who have very tight schedules outside the educational framework and need great flexibility in chasing an accounting degree.

Considering these, you must be fully aware of your schedule and graduation goals while skimming through these educational institutions. This way, you easily choose the one that fits best.

4. Closely Go Through Curriculums

Before choosing an online accounting program, you want to look closely at the university or college’s curriculum and make sure it features the right array of core accounting courses and classes.

Even though these accounting programs generally focus on the popular accounting courses previously listed, some prioritize different aspects of accounting, such as management and leadership. Some also prioritize preparation for the CPA examination.

Select the online accounting degree program that comprehensively adopts these core courses and incorporates additional specializations you are interested in.

5. Check for Career Opportunities

Some online accounting programs offer their participants future education and job opportunities. They give you easy access to postgraduate master's degree programs, jobs, and even highly influential and active alumni networks.

There are also accounting programs that help students compile credits to qualify for taking the CPA examination. Look into what each institution offers you in relation to these and select one with services that catch your fancy.

Affordable Online Accounting Degree Programs FAQ

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