Exploring the Top Accounting Schools in the Midwest
Accounting schools are quite high in demand, and they always will be. Because they offer outstanding options when it comes to affordable degrees and long careers. Now, the Midwest covers around 821,000 miles of the United States.
Made of 12 states in total, there are many options when it comes to great Midwest accounting universities and institutions. But which one of them is the best? Which of the top accounting graduate schools in the Midwest should you pick? And which school is best for accounting for undergraduates?
We’ll find the answer to that and more, so let’s dive right into it.
Why Pick an Accounting School and Degree?
Picking an accounting school will help you focus on all the necessities of becoming a CPA. And why should you focus on becoming a CPA? it may not be enough to make the highest paying jobs in the United States, but it’s still a safe salary for someone looking to live a sound life. So, picking an accounting school and degree virtually guarantees:
- A strong foundation to become a CPA
- Finding a job in any industry
- Ability to find affordable colleges and universities
- And moderate skill requirements.
That’s why picking an accounting school in the Midwest can be a lucrative choice. Not only does it guarantee that you have a good outlook by the time you’re a graduate, but it also allows you to work in some of your favorite industries.
Top 5 Accounting Schools In Midwest
If you google, you’ll find many options, but they might show you the best accounting schools in Texas or the best colleges for accounting in California. But, if you’re looking strictly for the Midwest, then here are the top 5 accounting schools in the Midwest today:
1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, Illinois
The University of Illinois is one of the best Midwest accounting schools for graduates and undergraduates. This university has all the great traits of outstanding institutions, and it is filled with amazing programs. Moreover, the state laws and geolocation of Illinois make it very accessible to students across the Midwest.
And the two programs in accountancy here are called:
The Bachelor of Science in Accountancy is a great start for anyone looking to become a full-time accountant. It has all the course intricacies and educational elements to become an accountant out of a high-school student. Then, you have an all-encompassing curriculum that includes:
- Accounting Institutions and Regulation
- Accounting Control Systems
- Principles of Taxation
- Assurance and Attestation
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Advanced Income Tax Problems
After that, the Master of Science in Accountancy is a great program that can help you become fully prepared for CPA. This program also has an incredible curriculum, which focuses on:
- Accounting Analysis I & II
- Managerial Accounting
- Auditing And Federal Taxation
- International Taxation
- Statistical Analytics for Accountancy
This makes the University of Illinois perhaps one of the best options in the Midwest to become an accountant.
2. University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame, Indiana
The University of Notre Dame is another great option and one of the top universities in the Midwest for many reasons. Located in the beautiful community called Notre Dame, this university has many programs and an outstanding history.
The two programs that you should focus on here are called:
The Bachelor of Accounting is an accounting major and focuses on building the accountant from the ground up. The reason this particular program stands out is its focus on various areas of accountancy that can help one become a CPA. This is apparent through the programs offered in this degree, including:
- Accounting for Business
- Financial Accounting A & B
- Managerial Accounting
- Managerial Finance
- Taxation/Auditing
As you can see, this program checks all the important boxes. And then, you have the MS in Accountancy, or simply titled the MSA program. This degree focuses on accountancy, tax, analytics, and finance. That’s why some of the courses in this curriculum include:
- Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions
- Fraud & Audit Analytics
- Ethics in Accounting
- International Taxation
- Accounting Data Management
- Data Analytics in Accounting
- Accounting for Income Taxes
And that gives you another great option in the Midwest and one that has two great programs that can prepare you for CPA exams.
3. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
The University of Michigan always pops up in conversations related to great accounting universities in the Midwest, or the United States for that matter. And there’s a good reason behind that, as this accredited institution has affordability and great programs at the forefront. The two degree accounting programs for Midwest students here that you’ll find are:
The Bachelor of Accounting is an accounting major in a business administration degree, which is ideal to prepare for CPA. It also has a 4+1 option that allows you to take CPA directly after the bachelor’s—no need to go for a master’s. The courses in this degree include:
- Cost Accounting and Analysis
- Intermediate Financial Acct 1 & 2
- Federal Income Taxation
- Auditing
- Advanced Corporate Finance
Consequently making it a great undergraduate program. But we have to talk about the Master of Accounting program, which focuses on leadership in accountancy. That means the ones with this degree aim for chief or lead accountant jobs, as the curriculum focuses on:
- Federal Taxation
- EY Accounting and Public Policy Symposium
- Corporate Financial Research and Reporting
- Information Systems Design
- Auditing & Assurance
And these programs are also accompanied by other core electives like Partnership Tax or International Tax. So, that renders this as another top notch university in the Midwest for accountancy.
4. University of Wisconsin-Madison – Madison, Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin in Madison is another top-notch institution that has great programs for accountants. This accredited university has a reputation and is widely considered the top university in Wisconsin. The two programs in accountancy also prove their status, and they are called:
The Bachelor of Accounting is your path towards becoming a corporate or public accountant, depending on the electives and courses you opt for. But, some of the courses in this degree include:
- Accounting I and II
- Finance and Economy
- Marketing
- Cost Management Systems
- Financial Reporting I and II
- Accounting Information Systems
Thus making it yet another great accounting degree for undergraduate options in the Midwest. But what about masters? The Master of Accountancy program at UIW is great for many reasons. Including that other business, undergraduates can also enroll in it—even if they don’t have an accounting background.
Then, they can make the most out of an incredible curriculum, which includes:
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Corporate and Advanced Taxation
- Tax Research, Procedure & Analysis
- Analysis of Taxes & Business Decisions
- Analysis of Taxation for Pass-Through Entities
- Contemporary Topics
- Analysis of International Taxation
And that means you have another top university offering two great accounting programs in the Midwest. And this one is more affordable than the ones mentioned before.
5. University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is one of the top institutions in the state of Minnesota. And the reason behind that is the great programs and leniency of courses here. There are many business and finance-related degrees here, but the accountancy program here is:
The Bachelor of Science in Accountancy is an outstanding program, offering 120 credits spread over an incredible curriculum. The courses that you’ll find here include:
- Principles of Accounting I and II
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Cost Accounting I and II
- Advanced Accounting I and II
- Income Tax I and II
- Managerial Finance
- Managerial Accounting
Then you have the Master of Accountancy, which is another great post-graduate program with a solid plan. It has a proper 1-year accounting plan, and the courses you’d find here include:
- Accounting & Information Systems
- Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax
- Advanced Management Accounting
There are many more elective and necessary courses for masters in accountancy, but that will depend on the student. However, these solid programs make it one of the top institutions in the United States today to become an accountant. And that surely puts it on the spectrum of the top universities in the Midwest for accounting.
There you have it: the top five accounting schools in the Midwest. Each one of the universities offers some of the most detailed accounting programs that you’ll find today. Thus, each one of these options is a good choice, as long as it’s the one nearest and most affordable to you, and help you get a job of your dream.
Salaries and Job Outlook for Accountants
Here’s a glimpse of what the future looks like for a graduate from one of the accounting schools in the Midwest.
There are many types of job titles and industries where accounting is required. So, there aren’t many industries that do not require the services of an accountant. That’s why some of the top-paying industries for accountants in the United States include:
- Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services – $91,140
- Management of Companies and Enterprises – $87,780
- Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals – $75,870
- Real Estate – $82,210
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services – $89,980
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wages/Accountants and Auditors
As for the job outlook, there are many different sources that claim that the projected job outlook for accountants in 2031 will be around 1.53 million. BLS says the same and projects around 6% growth in job outlook by 2031.
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