Accounting Schools in Nebraska

Colleges and universities in Nebraska offer a wide variety of accounting programs, from broad undergraduate accounting majors to specialized master’s degrees. This overview of accounting schools in Nebraska provides important information about your options so that you can decide on a program that best fits your schedule and career goals. This page also includes information about different career outlooks and salary projections for those in the accounting field in the state. Continue reading below to learn more about different degrees, program rankings, and professional licensure in Nebraska.

Quick Facts

• 17 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Nebraska.¹
• 4 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 4 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 14 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 9 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 2 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• No schools 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
• 1 school 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
• 4 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 2 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• 3 schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Nebraska Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Nebraska 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 our Nebraska business schools page.

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 Nebraska

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

• Creighton University (#66)
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln (#95)²

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

• University of Nebraska-Omaha (#32 tie)⁵

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

• Creighton University (#28 tie)⁶

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska being 68.0%:

1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln 78.5%
2. Creighton University 75.0%
3. Nebraska Wesleyan University 69.7%
4. University of Nebraska-Omaha 67.4%
5. Wayne State College 57.1%
6. University of Nebraska-Kearney 51.6%

*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 Nebraska with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Nebraska, 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

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Students at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. These programs are ideal for those looking to gain a solid accounting foundation for further graduate study or entry into the accounting field. The core curriculum includes required classes such as Accounting Information Systems, Corporate Federal Tax, Auditing, and Cost Accounting. NWU emphasizes a business education that is concurrent with real-world experience so that students gain not only accounting knowledge but also professional skills and confidence. Some of these experiential learning opportunities include volunteer programs, internships, and networking events. Undergraduates at Nebraska Wesleyan interested in the school’s graduate Master of Business Administration (MBA) program can take certain advanced courses as undergraduates and earn both degrees in five years as part of the 5-Year Accelerated Bachelor’s/MBA.

University of Nebraska Lincoln

The University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. The College of Business emphasizes both the technical aspects of the field and real-world business skills. Students learn a broad range of accounting concepts through core courses such as Managerial Accounting, Auditing, and Federal Tax Accounting. Graduates are prepared to influence business decisions and take on management roles in organizations. UNL encourages students to seek out internships and other learning opportunities, and provides support for those searching for master’s programs or entry-level positions in the field. UNL also offers a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) for students interested in pursuing CPA licensure and a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Business with an Accountancy concentration for those interested in a career in academia.

Wayne State College

Wayne State College (WSC) offers both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration in Accounting. In these IACBE-accredited programs, students learn the skills necessary to work in business, public accounting firms, governmental entities, and non-profit organizations. The curriculum focuses on using accounting theory to analyze financial information and to make important business decisions. Classwork emphasizes group activities and projects that teach teamwork and collaboration in addition to accounting industry knowledge. Students learn technical skills in accounting, assurance, financial reporting, tax, and auditing, as well as professional skills in writing and communication. Depending on their interests, students can add another major to the accounting degree. Common double majors with Accounting include Economics, Finance, Management Information Systems, and Computer Information Systems. An online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting is also available for those looking to gain the 150 semester hours necessary to sit for the CPA Exam.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Creighton University

The Heider College of Business at Creighton University offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree. The curriculum meets the educational requirements for CPA licensure and prepares graduates to sit for the examination. Students take a core set of graduate business and accounting courses and then choose from electives such as Advanced Taxation, Current Issues in Accounting, and Advanced Cost Accounting. Coursework gives students the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the accounting field and in business management positions. Graduate applicants without an academic accounting background may need to complete some required courses before beginning the program. Graduates are prepared to work in a wide range of roles, from accountant or tax manager to financial analyst or auditor. Creighton University also offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting degree. Undergraduates in the BSBA Accounting program can enroll in the accelerated BSBA-Accounting/MAcc program, which allows students to complete both degrees in five years.

University of Nebraska Omaha

At the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), students can earn an AACSB-accredited Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree. This master’s program is ideal for those interested in careers that require advanced accounting knowledge. The 30-credit MAcc consists of 15 hours of core accounting courses, six hours of contemporary business environment courses, and nine hours of elective courses. UNO offers four possible concentrations: Financial Reporting and Auditing, Strategic Management Accounting, Information Analysis, and Generalist. Electives are typically chosen based on concentration. Students learn a set of technical accounting skills along with a broad understanding of business and finance concepts. Applicants without an undergraduate accounting degree can apply for admission but may need to complete additional prerequisites before beginning the program.

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Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Bellevue University

Students at Bellevue University can earn an IACBE-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting entirely online or on campus. This program focuses on the skills needed in professional accountancy, such as financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, tax accounting, and fiscal analysis. The curriculum emphasizes the hands-on application of theory and accounting concepts through projects, case studies, and real-world examples. Classes include the use of industry-specific technologies and offer ample opportunity to learn and practice communication strategies. Online students also have the option to complete an internship as part of their academic schedule. Undergraduates can also add a minor in Tax. In addition to the BS, Bellevue University offers several online graduate programs: a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting, an MS in Tax, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Accounting track. Each of these programs meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure and prepare graduates to sit for the CPA exam.

University of Nebraska Kearney

Through the College of Business and Technology at the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK), students can earn an AACSB-accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with an emphasis in Accounting. This online program is ideal for working professionals who want to develop skills and knowledge in the accounting field. Accounting students first complete core classes in general education subjects and business administration, then take accounting-specific courses such as Principles of Accounting and Intermediate Accounting, as well as electives like Cost Accounting and Auditing. The online coursework emphasizes business fundamentals and how to apply accounting theory to understand organizational performance, as well as communication and management tools necessary to advance into leadership roles. For those interested in CPA licensure, UNK offers both an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting and an online accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program. The five-year CPA Track Accounting dual degree allows students to complete both their BSBA in Accounting and MBA in Accounting in five years.

Nebraska CPA Requirements

The Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy (the Board) requires that CPA applicants have at least a bachelor’s degree and 150 applicable semester hours from an accredited institution. Most CPA candidates choose to obtain a master’s degree in order to fulfill the full credit requirement, including 30 semester hours of accounting classes and 30 semester hours of business subjects. After passing the Uniform CPA examination, candidates must complete a minimum of 4,000 hours, or two years, of relevant experience in public accounting. This experience must be verified by a licensed CPA. After completing all the requirements, candidates can submit an application and receive their professional CPA designation. To maintain the licensure, CPAs must complete 80 hours of continued professional education (CPE), studying emerging topics in the industry or completing professional development activities.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Nebraska

Nebraska has several career opportunities available for accounting program graduates in both the public and private sectors. There are a large number of state and local government agencies that keep many accounting specialists on their staff. Large accounting firms like Ernst & Young and Deloitte are located in the state and often hire local graduates for both internships and full-time positions. Large companies such as ConAgra or Papillion Foods are also based in Omaha and may offer accounting and tax specialist roles. Graduates can also choose an entrepreneurial path by starting their own CPA firms or small businesses in Nebraska.

Nebraska Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area