10 Most Affordable Online MBA in Accounting Programs 2027

An MBA in accounting takes the broad leadership training of a standard business degree and points it squarely at the numbers, covering financial reporting, forensic accounting, and capital budgeting alongside the usual strategy and management coursework. It's a practical move for accountants who want to step into a controller or finance director role, or who need the credit hours to sit for the CPA exam in their state.

Below, you'll find 10 affordable online MBA in accounting programs that keep costs well below what many business schools charge, without cutting corners on accreditation. Each one lets you build advanced accounting expertise around a working schedule, so read on to see which format and pace fits how you actually work.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in Accounting?

An MBA in accounting is a graduate-level degree program that focuses on leadership and business management. Students gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in various industries, with an emphasis on leadership and management positions.

MBA programs often have specializations, like finance, marketing, and information systems. An MBA in accounting online concentrates on financial reporting, capital budgeting, and forensic accounting. Graduates from online MBA accounting programs can become controllers, financial managers, and certified public accountants (CPAs).

How Much Does an Online MBA in Accounting Cost?

Pricing for online Master of Business Administration programs varies greatly depending on your chosen school and your access to financial aid. Tuition rates range from $388 to more than $2,000 per credit hour.

To help keep your education costs low, you can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, and low-interest-rate loans. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees who are pursuing an advanced education within their industries.

The Best Online MBA in Accounting Programs

Each of the programs below holds business-specific accreditation and offers an accounting concentration built for working professionals. They're presented in order of increasing tuition based on published per-credit rates.

1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Lafayette's College of Business Administration delivers its MBA entirely online in an accelerated, eight-week course format, with most students finishing in about 16 months. Applicants without a business background may need to complete up to 15 additional credit hours of foundation coursework before starting the core 33-credit program, depending on what their undergraduate degree covered.

Courses like organizational behavior and leadership, advanced financial management, and data analysis round out a curriculum built for working professionals rather than recent graduates. The program holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its accelerated pacing makes it one of the faster paths to an MBA in accounting on this list.

2. Longwood University

Longwood University, a small public school in Farmville, Virginia, offers its online MBA through eight distinct tracks, with the accounting concentration completable in as little as 10 months. Students in that track work through advanced coursework in auditing, taxation, financial analysis, and information technology, building toward practical skills like forecasting financial performance and evaluating financial data.

Hands-on projects and interactive assignments run throughout the program rather than sitting off to the side as optional extras. Accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) backs the degree, a distinction held by a relatively small share of business schools worldwide, and Longwood's compact timeline makes it a strong fit for accountants who want to move quickly.

3. University of Southern Indiana

University of Southern Indiana, based in Evansville, Indiana, built its MBA in accounting around a 30-credit curriculum split between 21 credits of core coursework and nine credits of specialization courses. Accounting-specific classes cover financial statement analysis, auditing, and accounting regulation and compliance, giving graduates a deeper technical grounding than the core MBA curriculum alone provides.

The entire program is delivered online, and most students complete the degree within a year. AACSB accreditation backs the program, and USI's structure, favoring depth in a smaller set of specialization courses over a sprawling list of electives, suits accountants who know exactly which skills they want to build.

4. LSU Shreveport

LSU Shreveport, a public university in Shreveport, Louisiana, and a member of the LSU System distinct from the Baton Rouge flagship, offers a 30-credit online MBA with an accounting concentration built around seven-week accelerated terms. Multiple start dates throughout the year mean you're rarely waiting long to begin, and most students finish within 10 months.

Accounting electives cover topics like fraud detection, international accounting, and taxation, aligning closely with CPA exam content for students working toward licensure. The College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, and LSU Shreveport has built a reputation for pricing its online MBA well below the national average without sacrificing that accreditation.

5. Liberty University

Liberty University, a large private school in Lynchburg, Virginia, runs its online MBA through eight-week courses and offers 25 specializations, including tracks in accounting and finance, an unusually broad menu for a program at this price point. Core coursework in strategic marketing management, international business, and managerial finance rounds out the accounting concentration's more technical coursework.

Liberty accepts up to 50% of eligible transfer credits toward the degree, which can meaningfully shorten your timeline if you're coming in with prior graduate coursework. Accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) backs the program, and Liberty's scholarships, corporate tuition assistance partnerships, and military benefits give students several ways to offset costs beyond the sticker price.

6. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University, in Lakewood, Colorado, structures its MBA around 13 courses running in five- or seven-week sessions, with most coursework self-paced but built around weekly assignments to keep students on track. The accounting concentration emphasizes financial accounting, economics, and marketing strategy within an explicitly ethical business framework tied to the university's Christian mission.

ACBSP accredits CCU's business program, and the curriculum builds foundational skills in business administration and technology alongside the accounting-specific coursework. Students typically complete the degree in about 18 months, a pace that balances CCU's self-paced flexibility against a defined endpoint.

7. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) delivers its 30-credit online MBA in accounting entirely online, with multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin whenever fits your schedule. Most students complete the program in about a year, and the fully online format means no campus visits are required at any point.

Academic advisors, career counselors, and an online community of graduate student peers give students support that goes beyond just coursework. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredits the university, and SNHU's scale as one of the largest online business schools in the country translates into a well-resourced program with established infrastructure behind it.

8. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global's online MBA runs 30 credits and can be completed in under two years, with 19 available concentrations including accounting and finance. Core coursework in data-driven decision making, financial accounting, and managing operations builds the foundation, while accounting-track students go on to courses like advanced income taxation and forensic accounting.

ACBSP accredits CSU Global's MBA program, and the university's structure as a fully online, not-for-profit public institution keeps the degree priced for working adults. That combination of specialization depth and accreditation makes it a solid option for accountants who want a broader menu of electives than some smaller programs offer.

9. Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University's online MBA has drawn national attention, ranking fourth in the U.S. on a past Forbes list, and the program totals 40 to 46 credit hours depending on your undergraduate background. Students choose from nine specialization options, and those focusing on accounting complete 30 credit hours in the concentration, including coursework in advanced financial reporting and information systems.

Most students finish in under two years. AACSB accreditation backs the degree, and FAU's combination of national recognition and a relatively accessible price point makes it a strong choice for accountants who want a widely recognized name on their diploma without paying elite private-school tuition.

10. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a 100% online MBA built around 26 credit hours of core coursework, including foundations in accounting, managerial accounting, and strategic management, plus five to six elective courses totaling around 12 credit hours. As a large public research university, Cincinnati brings substantial institutional resources to an online program that most students complete in about two years.

Financial aid options span scholarships, military benefits, and employer tuition reimbursement, giving students multiple paths to offset the program's cost. AACSB accreditation backs the degree, and Cincinnati's size and research reputation give graduates a well-known name to put behind their credential.

How We Rank Schools

We consider accreditation status, tuition rates, and MBA program reputation when choosing which schools to feature.

• Accreditation: All of our featured schools are accredited institutions. This means schools and their degree programs have been vetted by independent accrediting organizations.
• Affordability: Tuition rates must be $1,000 or less per credit hour.
• Program reputation: An online MBA program's reputation is determined by its accreditation status, program curriculum, experienced faculty, and graduation success rates.

What To Expect From an Online Accounting MBA Program

In an MBA in accounting online program, students learn the fundamentals of business administration like finance, marketing, and business strategy. Students who specialize in accounting take in-depth accounting courses like advanced auditing, taxation, and corporate finance.

It's important to consider your entire education costs when deciding whether to invest in an online MBA degree. Beyond tuition, you will need to factor in expenses like registration and technology fees, support materials, and any equipment costs.

FAQs About Online MBA in Accounting Programs

Below, we address commonly asked questions about online MBA programs, from CPA certifications to admission requirements.

Can I Use an MBA in Accounting To Qualify for the CPA?

Earning your MBA in accounting degree will certainly help you prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination. MBA in accounting courses cover some of the information that is tested on the exam.

However, this exam has specific requirements regarding college semester hours, and not all MBA in accounting programs are designed to qualify their students to sit for the CPA exam. Additionally, each state has its own requirements for CPA certification; if you would like to become a CPA, it's best to research your state requirements.

How Long Does It Take To Complete an Online MBA in Accounting?

You can earn your online MBA in accounting degree in as few as 10 months or as many as three years. Your timeline will depend on your undergraduate degree major, any applicable graduate-level transfer credits, and your commitment to full-time or part-time status.

Online MBAs are generally flexible in design, and many programs allow you to take as few or as many courses as you can reasonably manage each semester.

What Are the Admission Requirements for These Programs?

To earn your master's degree through an online MBA program, you will need to have earned your bachelor's degree through a regionally accredited institution. Though some schools require prospective students to submit their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and/or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, others waive GRE and GMAT scores.

You will likely need to submit a personal statement and letters of recommendation from teachers and employers. Relevant work experience is also very helpful during the admissions process.

Are Online Accounting MBAs Cheaper Than On-Campus Options?

Some online accounting MBAs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts, while others cost roughly the same. The programs featured on this list represent some of the most affordable accredited programs available online.

If you're looking for additional tuition savings, financial aid is available through grants, scholarships, and loans. Applying for FAFSA is the best way to determine your eligibility for state and federal aid.

Is It Worth Getting an MBA in Accounting?

An MBA in accounting affords you many more career opportunities than simply holding a bachelor's degree in accounting. MBA graduates generally earn higher salaries, hold leadership and managerial positions, and have greater opportunities in the job market. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the estimated median starting salary for MBA graduates is almost twice as high as that for those with bachelor's degrees.

MBA programs are investments in time and money. Ultimately, whether or not this degree pathway is right for you is a highly personal decision.

Discover Online MBA Programs

If you'd like to broaden your business career opportunities, reach out to Learn.org's partner institutions and request info about their online programs. There are many options to support your education goals.