Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy has been marked by volatility and soaring inflation. This uncertainty has made cheap online accounting degree programs all the more valuable. Fortunately, cost-conscious accounting students have many quality options to choose from. The cheapest online accounting degrees charge $250-$500 per credit.
Your educational return on investment (ROI) is the difference between what you'll pay out of pocket for your degree and what you anticipate earning once you graduate. Precise ROIs vary and depend on a given program's specific costs.
The cheapest online accounting degrees have unusually strong ROI profiles. They cover the same material as more expensive programs and qualify graduates for the same high-paying career paths.
Potential learners can find even more savings by seeking out a program with an accelerated learning format. Accelerated online accounting degrees help students qualify for lucrative accounting careers more quickly.
This degree guide explains the distinctive features of cheap accounting degrees and the benefits they offer. It also includes a ranked list of the year's best online accounting degrees from an affordability standpoint.
Featured Online Accounting Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Top Affordable Accounting Programs
What Factors Into an Accounting Bachelor's Affordability?
Tuition is the biggest factor that impacts an academic program's affordability. However, other considerations impact the cost of a degree, sometimes significantly. Examples include learning format, enrollment status, and the availability of financial aid.
Each of these elements can affect a program's net cost, which represents the actual out-of-pocket amount a student pays to attend college. Net cost is the ultimate determinant of a degree's affordability.
With that in mind, consider these specific cost-related factors:
― Tuition
Colleges use multiple models to calculate tuition rates. Many schools quote tuition on a per-credit basis. Others charge flat rates based on part-time or full-time enrollment status. They then apply the resultant rate to an entire semester or academic year.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) the average tuition rates for the 2022-2023 academic year are as follows:
$9,750Public four-year institutions (in state)
$28,297Public four-year institutions (out of state)
$35,248Private four-year institutions
By definition, "affordable" degrees charge tuition rates that fall below these averages.
― Enrollment Status
Enrollment status can have a significant impact on your ability to manage costs as you go. You can mitigate the financial sting of your degree if you study part time while working. It will take you longer to graduate, but you can also pace and manage your budgeting needs more easily.
Importantly, tuition models that charge on a per-credit basis tend to optimize these benefits. If you pay a flat per-semester or per-year rate, you may not generate the same savings or advantages. Consider this carefully as you evaluate the cheapest online accounting degrees that support your career goals.
― Location
If you attend a public institution, consider whether you will be enrolling as an in-state or out-of-state student, as rates differ. Luckily, many states subscribe to tuition reciprocity agreements. These compacts extend in-state tuition rates to residents of neighboring states.
The cheapest online accounting degree programs can also help learners avoid several major expenses. By studying online, you will not have to physically relocate or pay room and board at college rates.
Hybrid programs that combine online and campus-based learning represent another option. They preserve elements of the traditional campus experience while enhancing flexibility. However, hybrid learning carries additional costs, such as expenses related to commuting and parking.
― Delivery Format
Colleges deliver programs in three main formats: in person (campus-based), 100% online, and hybrid models that blend in-person and online learning. For multiple reasons, online programs are generally the least expensive.
First, online learning eliminates many major expenses, including relocation, room and board, transportation to campus, and parking. Furthermore, it offers students increased scheduling flexibility. This allows many learners to work while they study and avoid losing income.
One downside of online learning relates to networking. In general, online programs offer fewer in-person networking opportunities, which can lead to jobs after graduation. As you research the cheapest online accounting degree programs, evaluate both their advantages and trade-offs.
― Financial Aid
The availability of financial aid can have a major impact on net cost. For example, consider a private school that charges relatively high tuition rates but offers generous and easily accessible financial aid options. That financial aid may make attending the private school cheaper than attending a public school, which many prospective students would assume is the more affordable option.
Major forms of financial aid include scholarships, fellowships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Scholarships, fellowships, and grants will reduce your net costs and do not have to be repaid. Work-study programs, which allow students to work for reduced tuition, are another option.
Federal and private loans can help you meet tuition costs, but they create debt and don't affect the net price of attendance. It is best to use them as a final resort.
How Can You Pay for a Degree in Accounting?
Scholarships are the most desirable form of student financial aid because they do not need to be repaid. Most scholarships are either merit-based or need-based.
Merit-based awards consider factors like scholastic achievement, community activism, and academic potential. Need-based scholarships primarily address the gap between your expected education costs and your current ability to meet them.
The following subsection profiles several scholarships for accounting students. It is not a complete list but instead represents an overview of the hundreds of available scholarships.
Scholarships for Accounting Students
American Women's Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA) Scholarship Award
Requirements: Offered through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AWSCPA Scholarship Award recognizes exceptional women students studying accounting or an accounting-related subject. Recipients can apply the award toward qualified education expenses, including tuition, required fees, housing, or study materials.
Award: $5,000
Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship
Requirements: Students qualify for this scholarship via full-time enrollment status in the upper years of an undergraduate accounting program. Graduate students also qualify. Applicants must demonstrate a personal commitment to working in the public sector upon graduation.
Award: $10,000
AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award
Requirements: This AICPA award is for students transferring from two-year to four-year institutions to earn their accounting degrees. The AICPA evaluates applicants based on their academic achievement, leadership qualities, and career potential.
Award: $5,000
Making Cheap Accounting Degrees Even Cheaper
Beyond pursuing the cheapest online accounting degree that matches your career goals, you can further cut educational costs with other strategies. The more you save during college, the better your financial situation will be once you graduate.
With that in mind, consider these five ways to save even more while you earn your accounting degree:
Rent Your Books
Books represent a major expense for college students. You can cut these costs by renting your books through campus-based or external services. As an alternative, consider buying used books and then reselling them once your class is done.Maximize Your Aid
All too often, students who need help meeting their schooling costs jump straight to loans. Instead, thoroughly research merit- and need-based scholarships, grant programs, and work-study programs. Also, investigate school-specific forms of aid, such as credit waivers for qualified students. Start your research early to maximize the available opportunities and use loans only to cover the remaining gaps.Overload on Credits
This strategy applies at schools that calculate tuition on a per-semester or per-year basis, rather than per credit. If you study full time, you can overload your schedule and still pay the flat rate. This essentially allows you to take "free" courses. It can also help you graduate faster, which carries additional cost benefits.Leverage Your Student Status
You can get many discounts from merchants simply by showing your student ID card. The exact discounts available depend on your location, but they generally include both on-campus and off-campus businesses. Multiple online aggregator sites publish information about widely available student discounts. You can also inquire about local offers at your student union or financial aid office.Use Tax Credits
You can claim valuable tax credits on qualified education expenses. Tax credits represent an amount of money you can deduct directly from the income taxes you owe for the year. Through the American Opportunity Tax Credit program, you can claim up to $2,500 in annual tax savings.
Will Getting Your Accounting Degree Pay Off?
As of 2025, Payscale reports that professionals with a bachelor's degree in accounting earn average base salaries of $82,000 per year.
To estimate your ROI for a particular program, begin by researching how much it will cost to earn your degree. Then, compare that amount against your earning potential by researching entry-level salaries for accounting professionals in your area. Payscale and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are two excellent research tools.
You can also qualify for valuable certifications with a bachelor's degree in accounting. These include certified public accountant (CPA) and certified management accountant (CMA).
Earning CPA or CMA credentials involves an additional investment of time and money, but it can pay off. According to Payscale, CPAs earned an average salary of $106,000 per year and CMAs earned $106,000 per year as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Accounting Degrees
In addition to specifically seeking programs with low tuition rates, you can reduce your educational costs by studying online and/or part time. Both of these options make it easier for you to work while you study, and the money you earn through employment will ease your financial burdens.
