10 Accounting Bachelor's Programs With High Acceptance Rates

Getting into an accounting bachelor's program shouldn't feel like the hardest part of starting your career. Plenty of accredited, nonprofit schools admit the vast majority of applicants, some with open admissions policies that require nothing more than a high school diploma, giving you a straightforward path into a stable, in-demand field.

Below, we cover 10 accounting bachelor's programs with high acceptance rates, all backed by real admissions data rather than vague marketing claims. You'll find details on what actually counts as a high acceptance rate, how these programs stack up on accreditation and career preparation, and what to expect from coursework, cost, and timeline. Read on to find a program that welcomes you in rather than shutting you out.

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What Counts as a "High" Acceptance Rate for an Accounting Bachelor's Degree?

An acceptance rate reflects the percentage of applicants a school admits, and it's typically reported through the same federal data source: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Nationally, acceptance rates at four-year schools average around 68%, so for this list, a high acceptance rate generally means 90% or above, including several schools with fully open admissions policies that accept 100% of qualified applicants.

A high acceptance rate doesn't say anything about the quality of the education you'll receive. Many schools with open or near-open admissions are specifically designed to serve working adults, transfer students, and other nontraditional learners who might not fit the mold of a traditional 18-year-old applicant with a packed extracurricular résumé. Selective admissions criteria like test scores, class rank, and lengthy essays simply aren't part of the equation at these schools, which is exactly what makes them accessible.

Why Choose an Accounting Bachelor's Degree Program With a High Acceptance Rate?

A high acceptance rate removes one of the biggest sources of stress in the college search process, letting you focus your energy on choosing the right program rather than worrying about whether you'll get in. This matters especially for working adults, career changers, and students returning to school after time away, since these programs are often built specifically with flexibility and accessibility in mind.

Choosing an accessible program also doesn't mean settling for less. Many of the schools on this list hold recognized business or accounting accreditation, and graduates enter the same job market as students from more selective schools. Whether you're drawn to public accounting, corporate finance, or government work, a high acceptance rate simply means the door is open, what you do once you're inside is still up to you. 

Accounting Bachelor's Degree Programs With High Acceptance Rates 

Many schools accept most or all students who apply. The schools below stand out for their high or open admissions rates alongside solid accreditation and accessible program formats. 

1. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College maintains a 100% acceptance rate through its open admissions policy, requiring only that applicants be at least 16 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent and the ability to speak and write standard English. The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in Accounting is built for adult learners, accepting up to 87 credits from two-year institutions along with additional credit from four-year schools, military training, and exams like CLEP and DSST.

Located in New Britain, Connecticut, Charter Oak is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and it charges the same tuition rate to residents and non-residents alike. Financial aid options include the FAFSA, state grants, and military and veterans benefits for eligible students.

2. Empire State University

Part of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system, Empire State University maintains an open admissions policy, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent to gain acceptance. Students can pursue a BSBA with coursework in financial accounting, managerial accounting, and corporate finance, delivered primarily online to accommodate working adults and other nontraditional learners.

Based in Saratoga Springs, New York, Empire State is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Financial aid options include the FAFSA, and New York residents may also qualify for the state's Excelsior Scholarship, which can cover tuition for eligible students who meet income and enrollment requirements.

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3. Franklin University

An open admissions policy at Franklin University means acceptance comes down to two simple requirements: a high school diploma or equivalent and proficiency in English. The online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting lets students transfer up to 90 credits and earn credit through other forms of prior learning, and on average, students transfer in more than two-thirds of the credits required for the degree.

Franklin is based in Columbus, Ohio, and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its Ross College of Business holds accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), and the school offers institutional scholarships alongside standard federal aid options for eligible students.

4. National University

Students with a high school or college GPA above 2.0 are admitted to National University, and even those below that threshold may still be accepted on probationary status, making this one of the more accessible options for students with less traditional academic records. The online BS in Accounting covers financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, and prepares students for licensure exams like the CPA and CMA.

Located in San Diego, National University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and its accounting program holds accreditation from the IACBE. Students who lack prior college coursework can take free placement evaluations to help determine their starting point.

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University reported a 100% acceptance rate in the most recent reporting year, according to federal IPEDS data, reflecting its mission to serve working adults and nontraditional students. The online BS in Accounting runs in six-week terms and was designed with alignment to the 2024 Uniform CPA Examination in mind, covering financial accounting, auditing, and taxation.

Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, SNHU is regionally accredited by the NECHE, and its BS in Accounting holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). SNHU offers institutional scholarships alongside federal aid options for eligible students.

6. University of Maine at Presque Isle

A 100% acceptance rate makes University of Maine at Presque Isle one of the most accessible schools on this list, and its competency-based YourPace platform adds another layer of flexibility by letting students move through coursework at their own speed rather than a fixed weekly schedule. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting is delivered fully online, though the program requires students to be at least 20 years old.

UMPI is based in Presque Isle, Maine, and regionally accredited by the NECHE. While the accounting program doesn't currently hold a separate business-specific accreditation, its open admissions and self-paced format make it a strong fit for adult learners looking for a flexible, accessible path to a degree.

7. University of Maryland Global Campus

Getting into University of Maryland Global Campus requires little more than a high school diploma or equivalent, and applicants without one can still gain admission by completing an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours at another accredited institution. The online BS in Accounting covers financial and managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation, with flexible course starts built around the schedules of working adults and military-affiliated students.

Based in Adelphi, Maryland, UMGC is regionally accredited by the MSCHE, and its College of Business programs hold accreditation from the ACBSP. Substantial military and veterans benefits reflect the school's long history serving service members and their families.

8. University of Texas at El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso doesn't technically have an open admissions policy, but it accepts virtually all applicants who submit their high school and any college transcripts, making it one of the more accessible options among schools with formal admissions criteria. Its accounting program stands out for holding separate accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an achievement shared by less than 5% of business schools worldwide.

Located in El Paso, Texas, UTEP is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its College of Business Administration holds AACSB accreditation for both business and accounting. Students can pursue an online BBA in Accounting, with test scores optional as part of the application.

9. Western Governors University

Admission to Western Governors University comes down to one of three straightforward paths: a bachelor's or associate degree from an accredited institution, college transcripts showing a 2.0 GPA or higher, or high school transcripts with a 2.0 GPA, and no ACT or SAT scores are required for any of them. The competency-based BS in Accounting lets students progress as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material, with the average student completing a bachelor's degree in about two and a half years.

Based in Salt Lake City, WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and its College of Business holds accreditation from the ACBSP. Tuition is charged per six-month term rather than per credit, so students who move quickly through material can reduce both their timeline and total cost.

10. Wilmington University

Small class sizes taught by practicing CPAs and financial professionals give students direct access to instructors throughout Wilmington University's BS in Accounting, and elective courses can be used to work toward a related certificate or start master's-level coursework at no extra tuition cost. Admission is guaranteed, with no SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT scores required, making it one of the most accessible entry points on this list.

Located in New Castle, Delaware, WilmU is regionally accredited by the MSCHE, and the BS in Accounting holds accreditation from the IACBE. The school offers the degree in-person, 100% online, or in a combination of both formats, giving students flexibility on top of its accessible admissions process.

How We Rank Schools 

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

For a list built around accessibility, admissions data matters as much as academic quality, but the two aren't in conflict. A high acceptance rate should still come from a program that prepares you for a real accounting career. We consider the following:

• Accreditation: We confirm that every school holds regional accreditation at minimum, and we note each program's business-specific accreditation, whether AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE, since accessible admissions shouldn't come at the cost of program quality.
• Acceptance rate: We prioritize schools with open admissions policies or acceptance rates of 90% or higher, verified through NCES and IPEDS data rather than self-reported marketing claims.
• Online availability: We look for flexible online delivery and straightforward application processes, since these features often go hand in hand with accessible admissions.
• Student outcomes: We consider job placement rates and CPA exam preparation where available, since an accessible degree should still translate into real career readiness.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

Does Acceptance Rate Affect the Quality of an Accounting Degree?

An acceptance rate reflects how many applicants a school admits, not how good the education is once you're enrolled. Many schools with open or near-open admissions policies are specifically designed to serve working adults, transfer students, and other nontraditional learners, which naturally results in a higher acceptance rate than schools built around a traditional 18-year-old applicant pool.

What actually determines a degree's quality is accreditation, curriculum, and how well a program prepares you for the workforce or the CPA exam. Several schools on this list hold recognized business or accounting accreditation from AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE, the same accrediting bodies you'd find at more selective institutions. A high acceptance rate simply means the admissions process is more accessible, not that the coursework, faculty, or outcomes are any less rigorous.

How Long Does it Take to Earn an Accounting Bachelor's Degree?

A traditional accounting bachelor's degree takes four years of full-time study, built around roughly 120 credit hours. That timeline generally holds true across the schools on this list, though several offer features that can shorten it considerably for the right student.

Programs with generous transfer credit policies, like Charter Oak State College and Franklin University, let students apply significant prior coursework toward their degree, sometimes cutting the timeline down to a year or two. Competency-based programs, like Western Governors University and UMPI's YourPace platform, offer another path to a faster degree, since progress depends on demonstrating mastery rather than completing a fixed number of weeks. Even without an accelerated background, the accessible admissions process at these schools means you can often start sooner, since there's no lengthy application cycle to wait through.

How Much Does an Accounting Bachelor's Degree Cost?

The cost of an accounting bachelor's degree varies depending on the school, format, and how much transfer credit a student brings in. Schools with generous transfer and prior learning policies can significantly reduce total cost, since students end up paying for fewer courses taken directly with the school.

Format also plays a role. Competency-based programs like Western Governors University charge tuition per term rather than per credit, so students who move quickly through material can complete more coursework within a single payment period. Beyond tuition itself, factor in fees, textbooks, and any additional coursework needed to reach the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure in most states, since these costs apply regardless of how accessible a program's admissions process is. 

Financial Aid for Accounting Bachelor's Degrees 

Paying for an accounting degree usually involves combining several types of aid rather than relying on just one source. Here's where to start looking:

• Federal aid: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and student loans, which typically offer more favorable terms than private loans.
• Institutional scholarships: Many schools offer merit-based scholarships specifically for accounting or business majors, separate from general university scholarships.
• State grants: Check your state's higher education agency for grant programs, which are often need-based and can reduce costs further at public universities.
• Employer tuition assistance: If you're working while studying, ask whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement, particularly if your role touches finance or accounting.
• Military and veterans benefits: Service members, veterans, and eligible dependents may qualify for GI Bill benefits, Yellow Ribbon Program funding, or tuition assistance through their branch of service, and several schools on this list offer additional discounts for military-affiliated students.
• Prior learning credit: While not financial aid in the traditional sense, earning credit for military training, professional certifications, or documented work experience directly reduces the number of courses you need to pay for.

How To Choose the Right Accounting Bachelor's Degree

Finding a program with accessible admissions is only part of the equation — the right fit also depends on a handful of other factors. Keep these in mind as you compare your options:

• Accreditation level: Weigh whether a program's AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE accreditation matters for your career goals, since some employers and CPA pathway programs favor one over another.
• Admissions requirements: Confirm exactly what a school needs from you, whether that's a high school diploma, a minimum GPA, or standardized test scores, since accessible admissions still vary in their specific requirements.
• Transfer credit policy: Look into how many credits a school accepts and from what sources, since generous transfer policies can significantly shorten your timeline and reduce your cost.
• Program format: Decide whether a self-paced, competency-based, or term-based format fits your learning style, since the most accessible format for one student may not work well for another.
• CPA pathway: Look into how a program helps you reach the 150-hour credit requirement, since accessible admissions doesn't change this state-level licensure standard.
• Support services: Look for dedicated advisors, transfer credit specialists, and clear program guidance, since accessible admissions still benefit from strong support once you're enrolled. 

Career Outlook With an Accounting Bachelor's Degree

Accountants and auditors earned a median annual wage of $81,680 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment in the field is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 124,200 openings projected each year, many stemming from the need to replace accountants who retire or move into other roles.

Choosing a program with a high acceptance rate doesn't change the career opportunities waiting on the other side. Graduates from these programs enter the same job market as students from more selective schools, with openings across public accounting, corporate finance, and government agencies. Since many of the schools on this list hold AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE accreditation, students graduate with a credential that carries real weight with employers, regardless of how accessible the admissions process was.

FAQs About Accounting Bachelor's Degree Programs With High Acceptance Rates

Here are answers to some of the most common questions people ask about earning an accounting degree at a school with accessible admissions.

Is an Accounting Bachelor's Degree Worth It?

An accounting bachelor's degree remains a strong investment, and choosing a program with a high acceptance rate doesn't diminish that return, since the degree still offers steady job growth, competitive median wages, and a clear path to professional credentials like the CPA. Accessible admissions can actually strengthen the value proposition for many students, removing barriers that might otherwise delay entry into a stable, in-demand field.

Is It Easier To Get Into an Accounting Program Than Other Business Majors?

Accounting programs generally follow the same admissions process as other majors within a school's business program, so acceptance typically depends on the institution's overall admissions policy rather than anything specific to accounting. That said, some schools do require a minimum GPA or completed prerequisite coursework once you declare an accounting major, even if general admission to the university itself is open.

What GPA Do You Need To Get Into an Accounting Bachelor's Program?

Many schools with high acceptance rates require a GPA of 2.0 or higher, either from high school or prior college coursework, though some open-admissions schools don't set a minimum GPA at all. If your GPA falls below a school's typical threshold, some programs still offer conditional or probationary admission, so it's worth reaching out to an admissions counselor before ruling out a program.

Can You Get Into an Accounting Program With a Low GPA?

Yes, several schools on this list, including National University, offer conditional or probationary admission to students with a GPA below their standard threshold. Open-admissions schools like Charter Oak State College, Empire State University, and Franklin University don't set a minimum GPA at all, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent.

Do Accounting Programs With High Acceptance Rates Still Prepare You for the CPA Exam?

Most accounting bachelor's degrees at accessible schools cover the core coursework needed for CPA exam eligibility, but a bachelor's degree alone typically doesn't meet the 150 credit hours most states require for full licensure. Programs with strong AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE accreditation and clear guidance on the 150-hour requirement can help you plan the additional coursework you'll need to pursue licensure down the road.  

Discover Accounting Bachelor's Degrees 

Start your journey toward a career in accounting by exploring the accessible options featured on Learn.org. To find out more about admissions requirements and registration, reach out to specific schools directly.