Accounting Schools in Wisconsin
There are numerous colleges and universities in Wisconsin offering degree and certificate programs for aspiring accountants. The following overview of accounting schools in Wisconsin will help you understand and compare your options for taking the next step in your accounting career. As an alternative to traditional on-campus programs, you may find that online accounting schools are the right choice. Many students find that online accounting schools offer greater flexibility and opportunities for learning independently. Continue reading below to learn more about accounting school options in Wisconsin, top programs in the state, certified public accountant requirements, and career opportunities for graduates.
Quick Facts
- 43 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Wisconsin.1
- 9 schools offer a certificate in accounting.1
- 19 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.1
- 26 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.1
- 7 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.1
- 11 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
- 2 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
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.6
- 10 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.7
- 6 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).8
- 1 school has accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).9
Comparison of Wisconsin Accounting Schools and Programs
The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin business schools page.
| School | Accreditation | Accounting Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate10 | Grad Rate1 | Avg Net Price1 | Median Debt*10 | Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Technical College | — | AAS-Accounting | N.Av. | 42% | $7,995 | $9,550 | $39,595 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | — | AAS-Accounting; BBA-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 16% | $14,753 | $21,549 | $30,181 |
| Carroll University | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 70.5% | 67% | $25,485 | $27,000 | $52,782 |
| Carthage College | — | BS-Accounting; BA-Accounting | 75.7% | 65% | $26,209 | $26,000 | $56,427 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Assistant; UG Cert-Bookkeeper | N.Av. | 46% | $10,302 | $11,432 | $43,773 |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | IACBE | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MS-Accounting; MBA-Accounting; Grad Cert-MBA in Accounting | 68.6% | 66% | $24,485 | $25,750 | $51,567 |
| Edgewood College | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; BSBA-Accounting; Accelerated Returning Adult BBA-Accounting; MS-Accountancy; MBA/MSA Dual Degree; Grad Cert-Accounting | 95.5% | 62% | $28,189 | $24,424 | $55,742 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | — | AAS-Accounting; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant; Technical Diploma-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Fundamentals of Financial Fraud Detection | N.Av. | 50% | $10,220 | $10,402 | $43,445 |
| Gateway Technical College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 45% | $8,274 | $12,165 | $37,787 |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University | — | AS-Accounting | N.Av. | 8% | $11,925 | N.Av. | $17,885 |
| Lakeland University | — | BA-Accounting | 80.1% | 52% | $21,611 | $25,000 | $52,878 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | — | AS-Accounting | N.Av. | 48% | $9,327 | $7,000 | $42,947 |
| Madison Area Technical College | — | AS-Accounting; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 23% | $11,588 | $14,060 | $43,770 |
| Maranatha Baptist University | — | BSBA-Accounting | 80.3% | 56% | $22,858 | $14,143 | $45,876 |
| Marian University | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 76.3% | 51% | $25,394 | $25,000 | $53,441 |
| Marquette University | AACSB | BS-Accounting; 4+1 Accelerated BSA/MSA; MS-Accounting; MS-Accounting Analytics | 86.3% | 83% | $33,136 | $23,940 | $76,417 |
| Mid-State Technical College | — | AAS-Accounting | N.Av. | 41% | $9,439 | $8,000 | $40,746 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | — | AS-Accounting; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant; UG Cert-Accounting Bookkeeper Trainee | N.Av. | 15% | $9,371 | $14,955 | $37,727 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | — | AAS-Accounting, Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant; Technical Diploma-Bookkeeper | N.Av. | 45% | $9,339 | $8,225 | $43,714 |
| Mount Mary University | — | BS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | 62.4% | 60% | $22,897 | $25,288 | $47,959 |
| Nicolet Area Technical College | — | AAS-Accounting; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant; Technical Diploma-Bookkeeper | N.Av. | 49% | $7,072 | $7,837 | $36,537 |
| Northcentral Technical College | ACBSP | AS-Accounting | N.Av. | 32% | $10,866 | $7,500 | $41,719 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | ACBSP | AS-Accounting; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 50% | $9,574 | $11,719 | $41,645 |
| Northwood Technical College | — | AS-Accounting; UG Cert-Tax Preparer Assistant; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant; Technical Diploma-Billing and Posting Clerk | N.Av. | 60% | $9,800 | $8,250 | $39,518 |
| Ottawa University-Milwaukee | — | BA-Accounting; MAcc; Dual MBA/MAcc | N.Av. | N.Av. | N.Av. | $21,500 | $48,846 |
| Saint Norbert College | — | BBA-Accounting | 85.2% | 72% | $26,983 | $26,731 | $54,223 |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | — | AS-Accounting; UG Cert-Tax Preparer Assistant; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 55% | $10,027 | $7,500 | $39,758 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | AACSB | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 77.5% | 65% | $15,000 | $20,909 | $55,619 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | — | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 91.4% | 52% | $11,365 | $18,500 | $49,099 |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | AACSB | BS-Accountancy; Minor-Accountancy | 73.9% | 70% | $13,130 | $22,500 | $57,125 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | AACSB | BBA-Accounting; MAcc; MS-Accounting and Business Analysis; PhD-Accounting | 60.4% | 89% | $13,376 | $20,484 | $70,586 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | AACSB | BBA-Accounting; Accelerated BBA/MS-Information Technology Management; MS-Management: Accounting; MS-Management: Professional Accounting | 89.0% | 48% | $16,551 | $23,000 | $53,169 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | AACSB | BS-Accounting | 89.9% | 58% | $12,827 | $21,500 | $51,418 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | AACSB | BS-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | 75.0% | 40% | $8,510 | $20,492 | $45,774 |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | — | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 87.6% | 61% | $15,595 | $21,977 | $55,720 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | AACSB | BS-Accounting | 86.2% | 59% | $13,427 | $20,500 | $50,940 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | AACSB | BS-Accounting | 90.2% | 56% | $13,702 | $21,503 | $48,872 |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | — | BS-Accounting | 76.2% | 40% | $12,908 | $22,500 | $45,677 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | AACSB | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; 4+1 Accelerated BBA/MBA; MBA-Accounting | 83.0% | 62% | $13,322 | $23,188 | $52,316 |
| Viterbo University | ACBSP | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; 4+1 Accelerated BBA/MBA | 77.5% | 61% | $23,257 | $25,000 | $52,502 |
| Waukesha County Technical College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting in Healthcare; Technical Diploma-Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 47% | $9,316 | $12,000 | $43,520 |
| Western Technical College | — | AS-Accounting | N.Av. | 42% | $9,297 | $11,500 | $42,215 |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | — | BA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 98.0% | 67% | $22,682 | $26,000 | $51,291 |
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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin-Madison (#17)
- Marquette University (#59)
- Madison Area Technical College (#70)
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (#131)
- Gateway Technical College (#133)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (#160)
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (#170)
- Northcentral Technical College (#179)
- Western Technical College (#211)
- Milwaukee Area Technical College (#226)
- Fox Valley Technical College (#237)2
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023
- Marquette University3
US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (#26 tie)
- Marquette University (#44 tie)4
US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (#24 tie)
- Maranatha Baptist University (#170-214)5
US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (#17 tie)
- Marquette University (#32 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin being 69.5%:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison 81.8%
- Marquette University 73.9%
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 72.0%
- Carthage College 70.7%
- Carroll University 69.2%
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 63.3%
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 63.0%
*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 Wisconsin with Accounting Degrees
To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Wisconsin, 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
Marquette University
Marquette University (MU) in Milwaukee offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. The program includes 30 units of MU core curriculum, 54 units of business core courses, and 33 units in accounting. Students gain critical thinking skills and apply theory to practical examples using the latest technology and resources available to professional accountants. Networking is encouraged through alumni and professional networks. The university also has an on-campus chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, a national accounting organization encouraging service in the community. The BS degree can also be completed in combination with the Master of Science (MS) in Accounting or MS in Accounting Analytics in a total of five years through the dual degree option.
Viterbo University
Viterbo University is a private, Catholic university that offers an ACBSP-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting through the Dahl School of Business. The BBA in Accounting consists of 120 units of coursework in four categories: Foundations, Mission Seminars, Ways of Thinking, and Accounting Major Requirements. Courses cover a variety of accounting topics and include Financial Accounting, Federal Taxation, Auditing, and Global Strategic Management. The courses for the Servant Leadership Embedded Certificate are also included in the course requirements for undergraduates. Students interested in qualifying for CPA licensure can complete a Master in Business (MBA) in one additional year through the 4+1 Accelerated BBA/MBA program.
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Graduate Accounting Programs
Edgewood College
Two ACBSP-accredited graduate-level accounting programs are offered at Edgewood College in Madison through on-campus and online methods. The Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy can be completed in one year of full-time study or two to three years of part-time study, and new students are admitted in the fall, spring, and summer terms. The program has many prerequisite courses that are likely to be met through the prior completion of an undergraduate degree in business or accounting; otherwise, students must complete this coursework before beginning the program. The MS in Accountancy prepares students for both public and management accounting career paths through courses in advanced accounting and strategic management. Students can also enroll in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting. The MBA in Accounting is available on-campus or online, and can be completed in as little as 10 months for students with a business-related bachelor’s degree. Employment resources for graduates of both programs are available to students through internship placements, on-campus recruiting events, and career advising from experienced mentors and career counselors.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) offers several AACSB-accredited accounting degrees. The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree is designed to prepare graduates for various careers as CPAs. Students with a bachelor’s degree in business or a related major can complete the MAcc in as little as one year and 33 credits, while non-business major candidates can complete the program in two years and 54 credits. UW-Madison also offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting and Business Analysis, which can also be completed in as little as a year. This program has a more technical approach to accounting and prepares students for careers in accounting, assurance, and advisory (AAA) or tax. Both options provide professional networking opportunities and encourage students to connect with alumni for mentorship.
Online Accounting Programs
Concordia University Wisconsin
All of the accounting programs at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) campus can be completed 100% online.The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting offered through CUW is one of the school’s many MBA specializations that can be completed either fully online or through a hybrid format with on-campus classes in Wisconsin, Michigan, or Missouri. The program content covers a broad range of topics related to business administration including advanced accounting skills needed to successfully sit for the CPA exam. The online format offers great flexibility as students can enroll in the program at any time and begin taking courses right away. The program culminates with a capstone project enabling students to demonstrate their mastery of the program content. Those students whose primary focus is CPA certification may wish to consider the online Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy, which consists of 30 credits and can be completed in as little as a year.
Lakeland University
Lakeland University (LU) offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting that can be completed on campus, through a hybrid evening/online format, or completely online. In this undergraduate program, students study accounting basics and complementary areas such as economics, business, and management information systems. The accounting degree also offers many areas of emphasis to specialize further, such as Fraud and Forensics; Finance and Insurance; and Tax Accounting. LU uses a teaching format called BlendEd that allows students to attend classes at one of the seven campuses in Wisconsin or participate online from week-to-week as their schedules and commitments allow. Students who choose to participate in online study the same material as their on-campus peers and must stay up-to-date with the same assignments and readings. Accelerated online classes are also offered for certain topics.
Mount Mary University
Those interested in certified public accounting may find the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting at Mount Mary University (MMU) to be a good option. MMU is a private, Catholic women’s institution located in Milwaukee that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting in both on-campus and online formats. The BS degree program requires students to complete a foundational liberal arts core curriculum and 82 credits of accounting classes. The program is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the CPA exam and to become certified upon completion of additional graduate-level study. Students are encouraged to complete internships with local companies to gain hands-on experience. The university also offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in Accounting and an MBA, both with on-campus and online course options.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The College of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting that can be completed in combination with the MBA with an accounting concentration to meet the educational CPA exam and certification requirements. On its own, the BBA takes four years to complete and has a sequenced curriculum to ensure students complete all necessary prerequisites in order. Internships in the third and fourth years of the program are highly encouraged. Both the BBA in Accounting and MBA in Accounting are available through UW-Whitewater online, allowing students flexibility to complete the degrees on-campus, in a hybrid format, or 100% online.
Wisconsin CPA Requirements
Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) oversees CPA certification. Aside from the 150 semester hours that are required for exam eligibility, CPA applicants in Wisconsin must have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework if the degree is not in accounting. As long as these requirements are met and no disqualifying information is found on any standard background checks, a person can take the Uniform CPA Exam without any work experience. In order to become fully certified, however, one year of experience in the field must be completed within the prior five years. Applicants can apply by completing the online application and submitting the required documentation.
Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Wisconsin
Accounting graduates may find a variety of job opportunities in Wisconsin as this state is home to numerous corporate headquarters, such as American Family Insurance, Johnsonville Foods, and Kohl’s. These corporate offices employ individuals with the business, financial, and accounting skills needed to coordinate and operate national and international businesses. Many more small- and medium-sized companies regularly recruit accounting program graduates to fill long-term positions for both entry-level and senior roles. Alternatively, accounting grads may find work in the non-profit or public sectors where financial acumen is also needed to ensure accurate records, budgets, and strategic planning processes. CPA and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) holders have the added option of working as public accountants in diverse sectors.
Wisconsin Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Accountants & Auditors Employed12 | Average Annual Salary12 |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth MN-WI | 930 | $75,680 |
| Green Bay | 1,480 | $74,540 |
| Madison | 4,340 | $77,530 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI | 21,520 | $86,550 |
Wisconsin 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.
Chippewa Valley Technical College
620 W Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 833-6200
https://www.cvtc.edu/
Student Review: “Most of my accounting program at the Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I did from home, online. The beginning was not easy (in high school I had never been an A student), but as the subjects got harder, in general they also got more interesting, and my grades got a lot better. The instructors were always very helpful. The courses I liked most were managerial accounting and cost accounting. In my final semester, we did some group projects, which were very enjoyable. The income tax classes taught me a lot of really useful things and since I have got a lot of extra money by using specific tax credits and deductions I had been taught. I wrapped everything up with an internship at a food bank, a not-for-profit that uses a different kind of accounting, which was really interesting.” -Maarten D., student at Chippewa Valley Technical College
Marquette University
1250 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53233
https://www.marquette.edu/admissions/
Student Review: “I recently completed my degree in accounting at Marquette University, and I found it to be a fantastic experience that prepared me well for my current career. Though the coursework was challenging, I learned many valuable skills that can be applied to all areas of life and study. One of my favorite aspects of the program is that it offers out-of-classroom learning experiences. The curriculum is service-oriented, so we partnered with area nonprofits such as Hunger Clean-Up on class projects. The curriculum also offers fantastic opportunities to earn credits abroad, which I did during a short-term study trip to Antwerp with the business school. My professors and advisers worked hard to place me with mentors and internships around the city, some with national recognition. Overall, I felt the accounting program at Marquette integrated itself well into my college experience and was focused on developing me as a “whole person” and also preparing me for post-graduate life. My one complaint was that graduate and teaching assistants were not always available as I needed them to be, but that is a problem found on most campuses.” -Stephanie W., student at Marquette University
Popular Accounting Degree State Pages:
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, Wisconsin: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm