James M. Tobin is a writer, researcher, and editor specializing in student reference and academic research materials related to technology, business, finance, law, and the humanities. He began his professional career in editorial services in 2001 and...
Lauren Mastbaum has more than a decade of editing and marketing experience. Creating content in financial services, she worked with clients such as Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Wells Fargo.
She's also passionate about education and led communi...
North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Examine its profile as an accounting destination, both for your education and for your future career.
Credit: Kruck20 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Accounting.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Credit: Kruck20 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Pleasant weather, breathtaking mountain scenery, beautiful beaches, and dynamic cities make North Carolina an appealing place to study, work, and live. The state has a strong higher education network with 16 institutions in the University of North Carolina system.
North Carolina also offers a compelling economic profile. In 2024, Rich States, Poor States — a project established by the American Legislative Exchange Council — ranked North Carolina fourth among states for its overall economic outlook.
This guide to the best accounting schools in North Carolina highlights opportunities for accounting students and professionals. Dig into the data to help determine whether the Tar Heel State aligns with your career and life plans.
Popular Online Bachelor's in Accounting Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accounting Schools in NC
We use trusted sources like
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
Accounting.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 Top Accounting Degrees in North Carolina
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
4 years
Campus
Located in Salisbury, Catawba is a small college with about 1,300 students. Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Catawba offers 70 academic fields of study. Students benefit from a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
BA in Accounting; BS in Business Administration - Accounting Concentration
Catawba offers a BA in accounting and a BS in administration with a concentration in accounting. Students choose the BA if they want to focus solely on accounting careers. The curriculum provides the education necessary to sit for the CPA examination and licensure.
The BA provides training in areas, such as auditing, taxation accounting, and accounting information systems and controls. BA students complete an accounting internship that provides real experience at a firm. Students pursue the BS if they want training in various aspects of the business enterprise, in addition to specialized accounting skills.
The BS introduces students to marketing, managerial finance, and business data analytics. Students also learn how to perform accounting duties, such as audits and managerial cost accounting.
Applying to Catawba
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and a writing sample. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Private
Accreditation: Institutional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Programmatic: Accreditation Council of Business School Programs (ACBSP).
Tuition: $32,868 per year (full-time students)
Required Credits: 124 for both BA and BS; accounting major-42 semester hours; accounting concentration-60 semester hours
Program Length: 4 years
Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$30,520
Out-of-state
$30,520
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$2,280
Out-of-state
$2,280
Retention Rate
72%
Acceptance Rate
50%
Students Enrolled
1,324
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
17%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Top Accounting Degrees in North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the nation's oldest colleges. The school enrolls about 31,500 students and administers a catalog that includes 95 bachelor's and 104 master's programs.
Master of Accounting
The master of accounting (MAC) enrolls students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Students can complete the degree online or on campus. Participants earn the degree in 10-36 months, depending on which format they choose.
The MAC's core explores basic accounting principles, such as auditing and financial reporting. Students can choose a tax, audit, or financial analysis and reporting concentration. Numerous elective courses focus on specialized training, including business entities and securities regulation. Leadership development electives prepare MAC students for senior executive roles.
On-campus and online learners enjoy the same rigorous academic preparation and peer-to-peer interaction.
Applying to UNC-Chapel Hill
Admission requires a bachelor's degree in any major, school transcripts, and GRE or GMAT scores. UNC-Chapel Hill offers test score waivers for qualified applicants.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: Institutional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Programmatic: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: Online: $1,446.36 per credit; on campus: $21,060 per semester (North Carolina residents); $29,846 per semester (non-North Carolina residents)
Required Credits: 36-48
Program Length: 10-36 months
Delivery Format: 100% online (asynchronous), on campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,019
Out-of-state
$34,198
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$10,552
Out-of-state
$28,278
Retention Rate
96%
Acceptance Rate
23%
Students Enrolled
29,877
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
12%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Top Accounting Degrees in North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Asheville, NC
4 years
Campus
UNC Asheville is the state's designated public liberal arts and sciences college. About 3,300 students attend the school, located in the small mountain town. Students receive a rigorous and affordable UNC education.
BS in Accounting
Students earn the BS in accounting from an AACSB-accredited school. The BS includes a liberal arts core and a 45-credit major. The program teaches fundamental accounting principles and intermediate accounting. Advanced coursework covers auditing, cost accounting, and accounting for governmental organizations.
Participants learn to perform day-to-day operations, such as marketing and economic analysis.
Students apply concepts learned during project-based internships. Enrollees use their training to develop management strategies and policies during a capstone course. Students can participate in undergraduate research opportunities and join organizations, such as Beta Gamma Sigma.
Applying to UNC Asheville
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and school transcripts. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on college coursework.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: Institutional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); programmatic: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $17,566 per year (in state); $34,914 per year (out-of-state)
Required Credits: Major: 45; BS: 120 credits
Program Length: 4 years
Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,122
Out-of-state
$21,470
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$4,914
Out-of-state
$21,236
Retention Rate
73%
Acceptance Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
3,600
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Top Accounting Degrees in North Carolina
Elon University
Elon, NC
4 years
Campus
Elon is a mid-sized college that specializes in the liberal arts and sciences and experiential learning. About 7,100 students attend the college, completing degrees on a 656-acre campus designated a botanical garden.
BS in Accounting
The BS in accounting provides students with a well-rounded liberal arts education. Students explore general business areas, such as marketing and finance. Enrollees examine the role of management in the effective production and delivery of goods and services.
Students learn the principles of accounting and advanced skills, including auditing and cost accounting. Accounting majors complete at least one internship for academic credit. Graduate students can pursue the 30-credit MS in accounting, which prepares enrollees to sit for the CPA exam.
Students in the BS can apply to the master's program in their junior year. Elon offers merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Applying to Elon
Admission to the BS in accounting requires a high school diploma or GED certificate. Applicants can submit SAT or ACT scores to bolster their application.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Private
Accreditation: Institutional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Programmatic: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Tuition: $42,241 tuition and fees
Required Credits: 132
Program Length: 4 years
Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$36,082
Out-of-state
$36,082
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$16,178
Out-of-state
$16,178
Retention Rate
91%
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
7,088
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Top Accounting Degrees in North Carolina
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
Founded in 1891, ECSU is part of the University of North Carolina System. The school enrolls about 2,000 students, most of whom classify as undergraduates. ECSU offers very affordable tuition and small classes that promote personalized learning.
BS in Accounting
The BS in accounting provides a rigorous accounting curriculum that blends theoretical and practical learning. The degree helps meet the 150-hour educational requirement for CPA certification.
The curriculum teaches students how to prepare and analyze financial statements. Enrollees develop technical skills in auditing, financial accounting, and cost/managerial accounting. Students learn how to apply their knowledge to professional scenarios.
The curriculum embeds problem-based learning projects in several classes. All accounting students complete a 150-hour internship. Students engage in extracurricular activities by joining clubs, such as Enactus or the Viking Finance Investment Club. Graduate students leave the program with the critical thinking skills necessary to make sound business decisions.
Applying to ECSU
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, college prep coursework, and SAT or ACT scores. Transfer students must have at least 24 transferable credits and a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: Institutional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Programmatic: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $41 per credit (in state); $208 per credit (out of state)
Required Credits: 120
Program Length: 4 years
Delivery Format: On campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$1,000
Out-of-state
$5,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$3,375
Out-of-state
$16,437
Retention Rate
70%
Acceptance Rate
66%
Students Enrolled
1,769
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
42%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Our Ranking Methodology
Accounting.com ranks the best accounting degrees using reputable sources such as the U.S. Department of Education. We build our rankings with four main metrics in mind: academics, cost, reputation, and program availability. We also consider subfactors like retention rate, federal aid amounts, and return on investment to help you find the right program for you.
This list has not been updated for 2025. Learn more about our process by visiting our school rankings methodology page.
Sources: U.S. Census, Current Results, NCES, Axios, BLS
Why Go to College for Accounting in North Carolina?
North Carolina has one of the largest higher education networks in the southern United States. As an accounting student, you can take advantage of a wealth of opportunity — the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that 85 North Carolina colleges offer postsecondary accounting programs.
These schools feature a rich diversity of opportunities to study accounting, including:
Degree and diploma programs
Face-to-face, online, and hybrid programs
Double majors and specializations
North Carolina also ranks well for affordability, especially at public institutions where average tuition rates fall well below national norms. The cost of living in North Carolina is also below the national average, according to 2024 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
You can enter a strong job market as a North Carolina accounting graduate. Each of the Big Four accounting firms maintains a presence in the state, and North Carolina has an excellent long-term job outlook for accountants and auditors.
Education Statistics for North Carolina
North Carolina's higher education system offers choice and affordability through two-year and four-year institutions. The state government backs the system with above-average higher education appropriations.
Furthermore, the state's well-educated workforce exceeds national averages for the percentage of the population with an associate or bachelor's degree. North Carolina residents also earn graduate or professional degrees at rates closely approaching the nationwide mean.
Institutional and programmatic accreditation may both apply to accounting degrees. Institutional accreditation covers an entire school, and you should consider it mandatory since it assures that the institution meets or exceeds acceptable standards.
Programmatic accreditation applies only to particular departments or programs. It is optional but often functions as an endorsement of exceptional academic quality.
Before recent changes in the higher education accreditation system, North Carolina colleges were usually accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Today, SACSCOC remains a major accreditor of the best accounting schools in NC.
Delivery Formats for an Accounting Degree in North Carolina
Your accounting program delivery format options include traditional face-to-face programs, fully online programs, and hybrid programs that blend both modalities. As the data in the table below indicates, North Carolina students engage with all three delivery options at healthy rates, with a higher-than-average proportion continuing to pursue campus-only learning.
The following sections explore the defining features and relative advantages of each format option. Carefully consider your choice, as it can profoundly affect your educational outcome and costs.
On-Campus Programs
North Carolina's beautiful campuses and excellent networking opportunities highlight leading reasons to consider face-to-face learning. If you prefer a traditional college experience or feel more comfortable learning in physical classrooms, this might be the right path for you.
Online Programs
Online learning provides a level of flexibility that traditional programs cannot offer. Many of the best accounting schools in NC offer asynchronous learning models that allow you to attend virtual classes on your own schedule. Some schools also offer tuition breaks to fully online students.
If you are balancing school with outside commitments like work or do not wish to physically relocate, consider online learning.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs blend the networking and engagement advantages of the traditional campus experience with the convenience and flexibility of the virtual classroom. This option is more popular than pursuing a fully online education among North Carolina college students.
Paying for Your Accounting Degree
Students at public colleges in North Carolina enjoy tuition rates that fall below national averages, even for out-of-state degree-seekers. The state's private colleges tend to charge above-average tuition rates, but many also offer extensive in-house financial aid that can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket net price of attendance.
In either case, you may need additional funding to meet your education costs. Start by searching for scholarships and grants from external providers, including organizations like the CNFC and the NCICU.
As a last resort, you can also use federal or private loans. The links below connect to additional resources you can explore if you need financial aid:
Most public colleges have tiered tuition rates, with in-state students paying less than out-of-state learners. However, many states participate in reciprocity agreements that extend in-state tuition rates to non-residents in regional jurisdictions.
The Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market (ACM) is the tuition reciprocity organization for the southern United States. North Carolina withdrew from the ACM in 2011, ending its participation.
Fortunately, North Carolina's four-year public institutions charge out-of-state tuition rates that fall 22% below the national average.
Cost of Living in North Carolina
Local living costs can significantly affect your education budget, especially regarding housing, food, and utilities. As of April 2025, North Carolina's cost of living falls just below the national average, according to World Population Review.
World Population Review assigns North Carolina an overall cost of living index score of 97.8 on a 100-point scale to represent the national average, resulting in living costs of about 2.2% below the nationwide average.
Careers for Accounting Graduates in North Carolina
In addition to the Big Four accounting firms and 12 Fortune 500 companies, North Carolina hosts a dynamic landscape of corporate employers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Small businesses comprise the majority of the state's SMEs, representing 99.6% of all North Carolina businesses and employing 44.5% of its workforce.
SMEs routinely hire accountants internally or as contractors to manage their financial tracking, reporting, and tax obligations. Larger corporate employers are another very strong source of employment for North Carolina's accounting professionals.
The sections below explore North Carolina's accounting job market, highlighting popular career paths and exploring employment levels and pay rates relative to national averages.
Accounting clerks track and record financial transactions, update accounting database entries, ensure the accuracy of financial data, and contribute to accounting reports. Technological innovation continues to change this career path, affecting overall demand but creating opportunities for forward-thinking professionals who develop analytical insights.
Financial managers work to align business activities with their organizations' short-term and long-term financial goals. They help guide organizational investment and capital deployment decisions, monitor and analyze the results of those decisions, and supervise junior members of internal finance teams. North Carolina's job market looks poised to add many financial managers in the near future.
These advisors help individuals plan for their financial futures, guiding their selection of investments, insurance, and other financial products. They also offer personalized strategic insights and financial advice, applying specialized tax knowledge to their clients' advantage. This accounting-adjacent career path is projected to see explosive growth potential in North Carolina.
North Carolina businesses employ accountants and auditors in large numbers. While salaries for accountants and adjacent professional specializations tend to lag slightly behind national averages, North Carolina offers cost of living advantages, allowing workers to stretch their income a bit more.
The state's 2022-2032 employment growth projections for accountants and auditors also dramatically outpace the national average. This expansion could lead to employers having to fill many vacancies and a limited talent pool from which to draw.
If you plan to pursue higher-paid roles, consider a master's degree in accounting. As the data above indicates, accounting careers that prefer or require a graduate degree tend to pay significantly more.
North Carolina Requirements for Certified Public Accountants
A bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration
A total of 150 semester credits or the equivalent, including at least 24 semester credits in at least eight of 10 business-related fields of study approved by the Board
At least one year of work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA or four years of experience in general accounting or as a college-level accounting instructor
Completion of a Board-approved course in North Carolina accountancy law
Yes – North Carolina State University offers prestigious accounting programs, especially at the graduate level. Accounting.com ranked NC State's online master's in accounting fourth in the United States for 2025.
What school has the best business program in NC?
Identifying the "best" school in any field is subjective, but North Carolina State University, Duke University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill all feature distinguished business programs. All three hold programmatic accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Can I get an online accounting degree in North Carolina?
Yes – many of the best accounting schools in NC offer partially or fully online accounting degrees. You can connect with learning opportunities by exploring this resource on North Carolina's best online accounting degrees.
Is accounting a good career in North Carolina?
Accounting professionals have very bright career prospects in North Carolina. Experts project an 11.1% job growth rate for accountants and auditors from 2022-2032. The state also offers an appealing balance of high pay and an affordable cost of living.
Recommended Reading
Search top-tier programs curated by your interests.
Let us know what type of degree you're looking into, and we'll find a list of the best programs to get you there.
Edited by
