Top 5 Affordable Online Accounting Degree Programs in Ohio (2025)

There are many ways for people to make a career in finance, from tax preparation to investment consultation, the possibilities are nearly endless. So how do you know how to get started?

One way to start your finance career off right would be to get an accounting degree.

So learn about Ohio's affordable online accounting degrees, what an accounting degree is worth, and how to save money while getting your higher education today.

Featured Affordable Accounting Degrees Online

Check out the five best Ohio affordable online accounting degrees from some of the top accredited colleges below.

1. Shawnee State University

Shawnee State University (SSU) is a public university in Ohio that's part of the University System of Ohio and offers open admissions.

SSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in accounting online for students who want to learn accounting skills related to taxation, auditing, and advanced cost concepts while preparing for their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

In-state online students at SSU will pay $299 per credit hour in tuition.

2. The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo (UT) is a public research university in Toledo, Ohio that's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The bachelor's accounting program offered by UT includes courses in financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, accounting systems, and taxation for students who want to pursue government or private business accounting careers.

Students at UT have a tuition rate of $355 per credit hour for this online program.

3. Franklin University

Franklin University is a primarily online university based in Ohio that serves working adults of non-traditional age who need to complete their bachelor's degrees.

The online accounting degree offered by Franklin University teaches students important skills in financial reporting, cost management, auditing and accounting ethics, and more. The program is 124 credit hours, and students can transfer up to 76% of their hours to shorten the time it takes to earn the degree.

Franklin University has a standard tuition rate of $398 per credit hour for all courses, but service members can attend classes for $250 per credit hour.

4. Ohio Christian University

Ohio Christian University (OCU) is a private Christian college in Ohio that's affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union.

Students at OCU can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in accounting that helps prepare them for non-profit organization involvement by combining important accounting principles with a Christian worldview.

Students at OCU can expect to be charged $425 per credit hour for this online accounting program.

5. Tiffin University

Tiffin University is a private university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through physical locations throughout Ohio as well as online.

The online BBA in accounting that Tiffin University offers is great for students who want to learn a combination of accounting principles and problem-solving skills that can help them advance in their future finance careers.

Tiffin University online students must pay $480 per credit hour in tuition.

Other Universities with Affordable Online Accounting Degrees Serving Ohio

In addition to the affordable accounting degrees offered in Ohio, there are also online universities in the U.S. that offer online accounting programs to Ohio residents.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private university in New Hampshire that's accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in accounting at SNHU online which will help prepare them for top industry certifications. Graduates from the program will be able to take and pass the 2024 CPA exam.

All undergraduate students at SNHU pay $330 per credit hour for online courses regardless of residency.

American Public University

American Public University (APU) is one of two colleges that are part of the American Public University System, a private online education system in West Virginia.

APU uses simulations to help combine theory and research with the practical skills that future accountants need to manage complex problems in business account management, ensuring students have real-world practice critical to success in their field.

Students at APU will have a tuition rate of $350 per credit hour when attending this online program.

Purdue Global

Purdue Global is the international online campus of Purdue University, a public research university in Indiana.

The B.S. in accounting offered by PUG is designed to teach students skills in accounting, management, law, information systems, and quantitative methods to ensure their success in the finance field.

This program has four concentrations to choose from:

• Auditing and Forensic Accountancy
• Managerial Accountancy
• Public Accountancy
• Tax Accountancy

PGU's online students who don't live in Indiana will have a tuition rate of $371 per credit hour.

Liberty University

Liberty University is a primarily online private Christian university in Virginia affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.

The online accounting and data analysis degree offered by Liberty University is 120 credit hours but can be completed in 3.5 years on average due to accelerated courses. This program teaches risk analysis, financial plan development, and more to future accountants.

Liberty University's full-time students have a tuition rate of $390 per credit hour regardless of residency, while part-time students have a rate of $455 per credit hour.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university in Utah accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Students at WGU can take the first step in preparing for the CPA exam or starting graduate work in accounting by attending the university's online accounting bachelor's program.

Most students complete the program in only 42 months, compared to the four years it usually takes to earn a bachelor's degree.

Students attending WGU often pay $8,000 a year for their classes, with payments required in six-month terms rather than the standard per credit hour model.

Financial Aid Options for Online Accounting Programs

Here are four of the most common financial aid options for students attending online programs:

• Scholarships: These are awards based on academic excellence, sports capabilities, volunteer efforts, or other merit-based factors. They do not have to be paid back.
• Grants: These are awards based on your financial need, which is determined by your reported income. They do not have to be paid back.
• Loans: These are temporary loans from the government or companies that have to be paid back - student-specific loans have special terms to help you make the most of your money and education.
• Work-study programs: These are work opportunities, usually provided on campus or through local partnerships, that help you get experience in your degree field and pay for college at the same time.

By filling out the FAFSA, you can access all of these potential aid options to help pay for your online degree.

Tips for Making an Online Accounting Degree Affordable

Here are some tips for making Ohio's affordable online accounting degrees even easier to pay for.

• Even if you're attending classes online, try to attend an in-state school: Colleges often charge residents of their state less.
• Live at home: Even online students can live on campus, but housing is more affordable off-campus in either low-cost apartments or your childhood home.
• Apply for financial aid as soon as you can: Filling out the FAFSA early can help you qualify for more aid that's usually not available anymore by the normal deadline.
• Apply for scholarships outside of the FAFSA: Some businesses, schools, and nonprofits offer private scholarships that you can qualify for with special talents or stellar grades, but you have to find and apply for them yourself.

Is an Online Accounting Degree Worth the Cost?

Because online accounting degrees include lower fees than on-campus programs, but still provide you with the same high-quality education, an online accounting degree is worth the cost.

An online degree saves you more money and provides you with more unique opportunities - including the ability to connect with like-minded students and members of the accounting industry from your home. This is well worth the cost of a college degree.

Start Your Accounting Degree Online Today

Now that you've learned everything you can about Ohio's affordable online accounting degrees, ways to pay for online education, and what makes an online accounting degree worth pursuing, it's time for you to decide which program to attend today so you can dominate the finance world tomorrow.