2026 Subject Ranking

Best Graduate Schools for Accounting

The Accounting ranking compares universities for graduate study using subject strength and applicant demand. This page shows positions 1–30 from the full ranking. Each position belongs to a university, not an individual degree program. Open a university's program count to see and compare its matching graduate programs. It gives particular weight to professional preparation, employer recognition and career outcomes in accounting.

University homepage. For program-level links, use GSN Explorer.
RankUniversityCountry
1University of ChicagoUnited States
1 program
2Stanford UniversityUnited States
1 program
3University of PennsylvaniaUnited States
1 program
4The University of Texas at AustinUnited States
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

5University of Southern CaliforniaUnited States
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

Master's Programs

6University of Illinois--Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
3 programs
7University of Michigan--Ann ArborUnited States
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

Master's Programs

8Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
9University of California, BerkeleyUnited States
1 program
10Harvard UniversityUnited States
1 program
11Columbia UniversityUnited States
2 programs
12New York UniversityUnited States
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

Master's Programs

13University of Notre DameUnited States
1 program
14Brigham Young University--ProvoUnited States
1 program

Master's Programs

15University of North Carolina--Chapel HillUnited States
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

Master's Programs

16Duke UniversityUnited States
1 program

Doctoral Programs

17Yale UniversityUnited States
1 program
18University of TorontoCanada
2 programs
19London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited Kingdom
4 programs
20Cornell UniversityUnited States
1 program

Doctoral Programs

21Northwestern UniversityUnited States
1 program
22Ohio State University--ColumbusUnited States
2 programs
23Indiana University--BloomingtonUnited States
2 programs
24University of Minnesota--Twin CitiesUnited States
1 program

Master's Programs

25Washington University in St. LouisUnited States
2 programs
26University of WashingtonUnited States
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

27University of GeorgiaUnited States
1 program

Master's Programs

28University of FloridaUnited States
1 program

Master's Programs

29Singapore Management UniversitySingapore
3 programs
30The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong Kong
2 programs

Doctoral Programs

Master's Programs

How this ranking is built

Graduate study is a career decision. These subject rankings help applicants compare where a degree may create the strongest long-term value, using evidence that reflects how graduate students actually choose and what they gain from their degrees.

We build subject rankings across 37 disciplines and publish the top 30 universities in each. Each university receives one position in the published table for that subject. That position reflects how the university performs across key ranking components, combined consistently for every institution in scope.

Key ranking components

  1. Research strengthDepth, quality, and influence of scholarship and faculty in the university or field.
  2. Employability and career outcomesGraduate placement, employer access, professional standing, alumni networks, and long-term options created by the degree.
  3. Global engagementInternational reach, cross-border relevance, and breadth of academic and professional networks.
  4. Learning experienceQuality and breadth of graduate study and the environment in which students learn, collaborate, and develop.
  5. Applicant demand and revealed preferenceApplication demand and choices admitted applicants make when they hold more than one offer.

Independent expert judgment calibrates the weight given to each component and checks that the resulting order makes sense. There is no one-size-fits-all balance across subjects: research-led fields place more emphasis on academic depth, while professional fields place more emphasis on career outcomes and professional training.

Questions About the Accounting Ranking

What does the Accounting ranking measure?
It compares the strength of graduate study in Accounting across universities using key ranking components: research strength; employability and career outcomes; global engagement; learning experience; and applicant demand and revealed preference. Independent expert judgment calibrates the weight given to each component for the field and checks that the resulting order makes sense.
Does the Accounting ranking compare universities or individual programs?
The ranking compares universities, not individual programs. Each university receives one position based on how its graduate offering in Accounting performs across the key ranking components. The programs listed beneath it help you explore your options; they do not receive separate ranks.
How should I use the Accounting ranking to build my shortlist?
Use it to identify universities worth investigating, then compare the linked programs for academic fit, admissions requirements, deadlines and costs. A higher position should inform your shortlist, not decide it for you.
Which countries are represented in the Accounting ranking?
United States (26), Canada (1), Hong Kong (1), Singapore (1), and United Kingdom (1). The ranking is global and does not use a country quota.
Are higher-ranked universities usually harder to get into?
Often, but not always. Applicant demand and revealed preference are only part of the ranking. Research strength, career outcomes, global engagement, learning experience and field-specific calibration also shape the order. Admission standards still vary by degree level, specialization and individual program, even within the same university.

Explore Rankings and Programs

Accounting Program Directories

Choose a degree level and country to browse the full program directory.