7 Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees in Minnesota 2025

To work as an accounting professional, you generally need some amount of higher education, often a bachelor's degree. Students who are unable to learn on campus can look into online accounting degrees.

Many schools offer accelerated online accounting degrees that allow students to complete their education faster. Keep reading to discover accelerated online accounting degrees in Minnesota.

Accelerated Online Accounting Degree Programs in Minnesota

Accelerated degree programs allow students to finish their program quickly through several methods, such as accepting a high number of transfer credits, offering a more comprehensive course load, holding classes in the summer, and having several start dates each year.

There are many accelerated online accounting degrees across the U.S., including several in Minnesota. We've highlighted some of these programs below, all from schools with regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1. Bemidji State Universtiy

Bemidji State University is a public institution in Bemidji, MN. It offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in accounting with coursework on:

• auditing
• cost accounting
• financial management
• income tax

This degree is geared toward transfer students, who can complete the program in as few as four semesters, depending on how many credits they bring in. Students have the option to take courses during the summer to complete their degree faster.

2. College of St. Scholastica

Through the College of St. Scholastica, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in accounting online. This program includes topics like financial management, cost accounting, accounting principles, and economics.

CSS is a private Catholic school in Duluth, MN. It offers this program as a degree-completion program, and students can complete the degree in as few as two years, depending on the number of transfer credits they have.

3. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

An online Bachelor of Science in accounting is available through Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. The Catholic institution is based in Winona, MN.

Students explore subjects such as auditing, cost accounting, and corporate finance. Students must have at least 30 transfer credits but can transfer up to 90. The university also offers credit for military training, and with six start dates each year, students can begin as soon as they're ready.

4. Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting online. Students cover subjects such as forensic accounting, international business, and risk management.

SMSU, a public university, is located in Marshall, MN. Students can finish the accounting major in as few as two years, depending on how many previous credits they've earned.

5. St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University, or St. Kate's, is a private Catholic school in St. Paul, MN. It offers an online accounting degree that covers concepts like:

• business analytics
• financial accounting
• income tax
• managerial accounting

This accelerated degree is designed specifically so busy adults can fast-track their education. Students can complete the program in less than two years.

6. University of Minnesota

Students at the University of Minnesota can earn an online Bachelor of Science in accounting. The program includes courses on accounting systems, auditing, business ethics and law, and managerial finance.

The public University of Minnesota system is based in the St. Paul-Minneapolis metro, but most undergraduate online programs are offered through the Crookston campus. It's been offering online programs for over 20 years, and in addition to transfer credits, students can earn credit for things like Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Programs (CLEP), and military experience.

7. Winona State University

A bachelor's degree completion program in accounting is available online through Winona State University. The public institution is located in Winona, MN.

This program is meant for learners who have already completed their general education requirements, allowing them to fully focus on their accounting majors. Courses in this online BS include subjects like accounting information systems, auditing, cost accounting, and income tax.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs above, we used the following criteria, ensuring that we only suggest the best online accounting degrees to you:

• Location: All schools listed are located in Minnesota.
• Accreditation: Every school above is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
• Type: We included only four-year institutions that are public or nonprofit private schools.
• Credit for prior learning: All programs come from online colleges that accept transfer credits, and many also offer credit for things like college-level exams or military experience.

FAQs About Fast Online Accounting Programs and Enrollment

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about fast online accounting programs.

How Much Does an Online Accounting Degree Program Cost?

The cost of an online accounting degree depends on several factors. There are many affordable online accounting degrees throughout the country, and the above degrees are all less than $500 per credit hour.

Many factors can contribute to how much your program costs, but none more strongly than the financial aid you receive. Minnesota offers the North Star Promise, which covers tuition costs for eligible undergraduate resident students studying at a public school within the state. To find out if you qualify, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

All programs above also come from online colleges that accept financial aid. Many offer their own financial aid options as well.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated Online Accounting Degree Programs?

Online accounting degree programs require you to be accepted into the college, which may require a minimal high school GPA or ACT/SAT scores.

For a degree completion program, you usually need an associate degree or a certain number of college credits. You can earn these through community or technical colleges, which also usually charge a lower tuition rate.

Can You Become an Accountant With an Online Degree?

Online accounting degrees are designed to teach you the fundamentals of accounting and to prepare you for an accounting career. There are many entry-level roles in accounting and bookkeeping that you can obtain with an online degree.

Note that some career opportunities, like Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA), require credentials. To earn these credentials, you'll have to pass a licensure exam and in some cases, may need to earn a master's degree.

Find an Online Bachelor's Degree Today

Start your journey toward a career in accounting by exploring the online bachelor's degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to request information on their accelerated online programs.