Accounting Schools in Mississippi

The colleges and universities in Mississippi offer many different programs of study for students interested in pursuing a certificate or degree in accounting. This guide to accounting schools in Mississippi provides essential information on available accounting programs so you can decide which one best fits your career goals. Undergraduate and graduate programs in the state are available on a full-time, part-time, or entirely online basis, and different concentrations and specializations are available. Continue reading below to find out more about program details, rankings, salary projections, and professional licensure in Mississippi.

Quick Facts

• 26 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Mississippi.¹
• 6 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 14 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 12 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 8 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 3 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• No programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 3 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 5 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• 2 schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Mississippi Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Mississippi to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see the tables on our Mississippi business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Mississippi

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

• University of Mississippi (#61)
• Mississippi State University (#161)
• Mississippi College (#254)²

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

• University of Mississippi³

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

• University of Southern Mississippi (#44 tie)
• Belhaven University (#112 tie)⁵

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

• University of Mississippi (#60 tie)⁶

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates With a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.¹¹ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Mississippi in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Mississippi being 50.1%:

1. University of Mississippi 69.2%
2. Mississippi University for Women 53.8%
3. University of Southern Mississippi 48.9%
4. Mississippi State University 47.1%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Mississippi with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Mississippi, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Mississippi State University

At the Adkerson School of Accountancy at Mississippi State University (MSU), students can earn an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) degree. This degree is ideal for those interested in developing a strong foundation in accounting to use in further graduate study or to pursue entry-level accounting positions. Undergraduates start with interdisciplinary general education requirements and business core classes. Accounting majors then take specialized courses such as Accounting Systems, Income Tax, Auditing, and Cost Accounting but study communication and business skills throughout. Through the core curriculum, students learn accounting concepts as well as new technology and regulation trends. Internships in the field can be completed during the spring semester of senior year. For those interested in graduate studies, MSU offers a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) and a Master of Taxation (MTax), both of which are available on-campus or online and meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure.

University of Mississippi

Students at the School of Business at the University of Mississippi can earn an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) degree. This interdisciplinary program combines specialized accounting concepts with related subjects, such as management, business communication, and financial analysis. The core curriculum includes courses such as Business Finance, Accounting Systems, Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Legal Environment of Business. Electives can be tailored to match students’ career interests. Accounting majors are required to complete a minor, either in the School of Business or in another department that formally grants a minor. Accounting minors in Management, General Finance, Economics, Insurance & Risk Management, Management Information Systems, Managerial Finance, Marketing, and Real Estate are offered to BAcc undergrads, providing extra customization to their degree. For career development opportunities, students can join undergraduate clubs or attend networking events or seminars. Undergraduates are encouraged to apply for internships that can be used for academic credit.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Millsaps College

The Else School of Management at Millsaps College offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the degree in a year by attending evening classes for maximum flexibility. Millsaps’ MAcc program is open to both those with and without a business-related bachelor’s degree and consists of 30 to 48 credits depending on the amount of foundational coursework needed. In addition to the core classes, Millsaps also has two international study programs, the European Business Program and the Casa Millsaps Program in Merida, Mexico. Those enrolled in the Millsaps Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting can enroll in the MAcc program while finishing their undergraduate degree, allowing them to complete both programs in five years. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Uniform CPA examination.

University of Mississippi

At the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), accounting students can choose between two advanced degree programs. Both degrees are 30 semester hours, allowing students to fulfill the educational requirements for CPA licensure, and both prepare students for careers in professional accounting. The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree focuses on advanced topics in public accountancy, while the Master of Taxation (MTax) degree emphasizes the tax area of accounting. Students in both programs take core classes such as Income Tax II, Seminar in Accounting Theory, and Cost/Managerial Accounting before choosing electives. Ole Miss also offers CPA review classes for graduates interested in sitting for the examination. In addition to the general MAcc and MTax programs, more specialized master’s degrees are available, including the Master of Accountancy & Data Analytics (MADA) and Master of Taxation & Data Analytics (MTDA). Those interested in an academic career in accounting can also pursue their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accountancy at Ole Miss.

Popular Articles:

• Business Schools in Mississippi
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Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Belhaven University

Students can earn an IACBE-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting entirely online at Belhaven University. The core curriculum includes classes such as Accounting for Taxes on Businesses; Cost Accounting; Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting; Operations Management; and Auditing, through which students learn conceptual and applicable skills in the field of accounting. Through the online program, undergraduates learn how to analyze and understand financial statements in public, government, managerial, corporate, and not-for-profit accounting. This flexible program is ideal for those interested in entry-level positions or further graduate accounting programs to qualify for CPA licensure. Some undergraduate students pursue accounting jobs or internships in order to gain additional experience and on-the-job training while earning their degree. Belhaven also offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a CPA Review concentration, which prepares accounting graduates for the Uniform CPA examination and provides the necessary credits to qualify for licensure.

Delta State University

Students at Delta State University can earn an ACBSP-accredited Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) degree completely online. This degree is ideal for those interested in careers in public accounting, industry, and government. The 30-credit-hour program can fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination. Graduate students take advanced accounting courses such as Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Fraud Examination, and Advanced Auditing, and after finishing the core curriculum, various elective options are available to meet individual interests. Courses emphasize the accounting knowledge necessary to succeed in the field as well as professional development skills in management and communication. Students without an undergraduate accounting background can apply to the program but may need to complete some prerequisite courses before beginning the curriculum.

Mississippi College

At Mississippi College (MC), students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting entirely online, on-campus through evening classes, or in a hybrid model of the two formats. This degree can be completed in as little as two years and includes a wide range of business and accounting topics. MC emphasizes a global approach to modern business, and students also learn critical thinking skills, written and oral communication skills, and collaborative strategies. The school also offers an online Master of Accountancy (MAcc), which includes required courses such as Advanced Managerial Accounting, Accounting Theory, and Federal Tax Accounting, and offers electives like Governmental Accounting and Fraud Examination. Both the MBA in Accounting and MAcc programs are available in an accelerated format, with all 10 required courses available in eight-week classes. Online students also receive support in searching for post-graduation job opportunities, and many work full-time or find internships while completing the online degree.

University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science of Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting that can be completed at the Gulf Park or Hattiesburg campuses or online. Students in this program develop a foundation in accounting and business that can be applied to many different career paths or graduate studies. The accounting program emphasizes how to understand and analyze financial information in order to make business decisions. Students learn applicable skills in research, database usage, communication, and other industry information technologies. Many undergraduates complete an internship, and some pursue related accounting courses through study abroad opportunities in Britain, Asia, or Italy. Many graduates from USM go on to pursue the university’s on-campus Master of Science in Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) degree and work in accounting, tax, or auditing roles for CPA firms, government and nonprofit organizations, and corporations.

Mississippi CPA Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy (the Board) requires that CPA candidates hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have completed 120 semester hours of academic credit from an accredited institution to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. 48 of these hours must be at the upper division or graduate level and 24 hours of those credits must be in accounting courses. After taking the CPA examination, candidates must complete a year of professional accounting experience that is verified by a practicing CPA. Candidates must also complete an additional 30 credit hours of collegiate-level courses for a total of 150 semester hours. After applying for and obtaining licensure, CPAs must maintain their certification through continued professional education (CPE) hours.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Mississippi

Graduates with accounting degrees in Mississippi may find many different opportunities to work within the state’s accounting industry after graduation. Major corporations include agricultural and industrial corporations such as Tyson Foods and Howard Industries. Small, well-established CPA firms in the state such as May & Company, GranthamPoole, and Nicholson & Co Accountants may offer positions in public accountancy for recent graduates. Large, leading firms like KPMG, BKD, Horne, and the Kemp Group all have offices within Mississippi and cumulatively employ a large percentage of Mississippi’s accountants. Accounting graduates may also find work in small businesses, nonprofits, and local and state government.

Mississippi Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Mississippi Schools with Accounting Degree Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Mississippi College
200 Capitol St
Clinton, MS 39056
(601) 925-3000
https://www.mc.edu/

Student Review: “I can truly say the Accounting program at Mississippi prepared me for my career. First, I’ll say I attended two other universities before and my experiences in the programs there don’t compare to my experience here. The accounting program is one of the largest at the universities, but you could never tell. Professors are really hands-on. Because the curriculum is quite rigorous, professors are sure to answer questions in class (which is rare at many big universities) and you always have the opportunity to visit them to speak during office hours. One thing I especially loved about my experience there, is that about three months prior to graduation, the head of the accounting department meets with each student and inquires about how confident they feel in their ability to pursue their future career and any topics they may not be clear about. Mississippi College is also a Christian university so that plays a large part in the close-knitted family, caring atmosphere there. I would honestly recommend the accounting program there to anyone interested.” -student at Mississippi College

Popular Accounting Degree State Pages:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Tennessee

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/results/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Mississippi: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ms.htm