This summary of accounting schools in California will provide you with information on your options so that you can make an educated choice in deciding where to study accounting. The education options in California include well-known public schools like the University of California school system, as well as not-for-profit private schools such as Santa Clara University, with a wide variety of accounting majors on offer. As an alternative to traditional on-campus study, busy students may also appreciate the scheduling flexibility, reduced commuting time, and self-directed learning of a hybrid program like those offered at several of the California State University campuses.

Table of Contents

Comparison of California Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in California to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolAccreditationAccounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate10Grad Rate1Avg Net Price1Median Debt*10Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10
Azusa Pacific UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		94.1%72%$27,112$23,219$61,701
Biola UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
MAcc		60.8%70%$29,123$23,875$53,148
California Baptist UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting63.7%57%$23,494$26,063$56,253
California Lutheran UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting81.9%74%$24,065$21,669$65,401
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo—Minor-Accounting33.0%85%$20,708$18,500$85,801
California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtIACBEBA Business Administration-Accounting91.5%48%$13,904$18,000$46,266
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona—BS-Accounting;
MAcc		60.6%70%$12,942$16,000$67,406
California State University-East Bay—MAcc82.4%48%$12,631$16,544$64,188
California State University-FullertonAACSBMAcc59.4%71%$4,939$13,750$58,585
California State University-Long Beach—BSBA: Accountancy;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting;
MAcc		46.9%75%$9,171$14,289$60,973
California State University-Los Angeles—Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting;
MAcc		90.5%52%$2,695$13,000$54,219
California State University-Northridge—BS-Accounting88.1%54%$8,708$13,872$56,375
California State University-Sacramento—BSBA: Accountancy;
MAcc		93.7%57%$7,778$15,000$61,267
California State University-San Bernardino—Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		91.0%57%$3,254$14,715$55,258
California State University-San Marcos—BA Business Administration: Accountancy93.3%59%$14,296$17,350$59,495
Chapman University—BS-Accounting;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting;
MAcc		60.4%80%$40,451$20,500$64,844
Claremont McKenna College—BS Economics-Accounting11.2%93%$21,663$13,500$97,174
Concordia University-IrvineIACBEBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		81.4%68%$25,640$24,247$59,831
Dominican University of California—MAcc92.9%77%$45,001$27,000$71,134
Fresno Pacific University—BA Business Administration-Accounting—68%$15,350——
Fullerton College—BS-Accounting34%$11,191——
Golden Gate University—BS-AccountingN.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$29,875$86,864
Holy Names University—MBA Finance95.3%58%$21,515$24,125$67,068
Hope International UniversityIACBEBA Business Management-Accounting40.0%42%$18,801$23,000$43,659
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses—BS-AccountingN.Av.72%$7,288$35,500$37,815
La Sierra University—BS-Accounting; MAcc66.1%45%$25,230$27,000$60,858
Loyola Marymount University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		45.8%79%$40,180$19,500$71,771
Menlo College—BS-Accounting69.8%55%$35,658$21,750$64,817
Mount Saint Mary’s UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
MAcc		90.1%59%$24,508$25,949$72,991
National UniversityACBSP; IACBEBBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		54.6%47%$9,966$25,000$66,998
Pacific States University—BBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		N.Av.75%N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.
Pacific Union CollegeIACBEBBA-Accounting57.7%40%$22,767$27,500$67,209
Pepperdine University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		52.7%83%$40,945$23,510$78,224
Point Loma Nazarene UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;		83.7%73%$34,851$22,990$64,114
Saint Mary’s College of California—BS-Accounting70.1%73%$25,022$23,691$71,724
San Diego State UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		37.9%76%$6,867$15,000$61,522
San Francisco State University—BSBA-Accounting;
MAcc		92.9%54%$13,641$15,371$64,797
San Jose State University—BSBA-Accounting84.4%69%$14,603$15,000$72,635
Santa Clara UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting54.0%91%$48,469$19,162$99,012
The Master’s University and Seminary—Minor-Accounting;
BS-Business Administration: Accounting;
BS-Business Administration: Accelerated 2.5-Year Hybrid Accounting Track;
BA/BS-Interdisciplinary Studies: Accounting		N.Av.73%$30,783N.Av.N.Av.
University of California-Davis—MAcc48.8%87%$16,640$13,000$74,305
University of California-Irvine—Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		28.8%84%$11,633$15,000$76,593
University of California-Riverside—MAcc65.4%76%$13,502$17,500$63,645
University of La Verne—BSBA-Accounting;
MAcc		71.9%69%$22,538$23,500$62,629
University of Redlands—BS-Accounting83.0%69%$21,578$26,000$68,726
University of San DiegoAACSBMAcc52.7%80%$34,155$22,940$78,234
University of San Francisco—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		70.9%76%$39,825$23,000$83,794
University of Southern CaliforniaAACSBBS-Accounting12.5%92%$26,021$18,000$89,884
University of the Pacific—BS-Accounting;
MAcc		79.3%69%$21,311$19,500$80,965
Vanguard University of Southern California—BA-Accounting69.0%61%$20,427$22,000$53,394
William Jessup UniversityACBSPBA-Accountancy77.8%60%$27,823$23,700$52,890
Woodbury UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting63.0%59%$32,293$26,960$58,971

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 California

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 Southern California (#6)
  • Santa Clara University (#14)
  • Loyola Marymount University (#81)
  • University of San Diego (#87)
  • University of San Francisco (#107)
  • Saint Mary’s College of California (#108)
  • San Diego State University (#146)
  • Golden Gate University (#151)
  • California State University-Northridge (#153)
  • University of California-Davis (#155)
  • Chapman University (#167)
  • California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (#221)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Pepperdine University
  • University of Southern California3

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

  • Stanford University (#6)
  • University of Southern California (#9)
  • University of California, Berkeley (#22 tie)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (#34 tie)4

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

  • California Baptist University (#98 tie)
  • University of La Verne (#141 tie)
  • National University (#170-214)
  • Hope International University (#170-214)
  • The Master’s University and Seminary (#170-214)5

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

  • University of Southern California (#9)
  • University of California, Berkeley (#20 tie)
  • Santa Clara University (#26 tie)
  • Loyola Marymount University (#44 tie)6

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates With a Bachelor’s Degree

Each year, 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 California 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 California being 54.5%:

  1. Pepperdine University 83.3%
  2. Claremont McKenna College 75.0%
  3. University of Southern California 73.6%
  4. Fresno Pacific University 66.7%
  5. University of San Diego 63.7%
  6. Diablo Valley College 63.6%
  7. University of California Berkeley 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 California with Accounting Degrees

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

Chapman University

Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics, located in Orange, offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA) degree. Chapman’s program takes four years to complete full-time, with an option to study abroad. The BS in Accounting prepares students to sit for the CPA and CMA exams. The curriculum includes a mix of management and accounting courses including Management of Organizations, Intermediate Financial Accounting I and II, Individual Taxation, Business Policy: An International Perspective, and Accounting Information Systems. Chapman’s intensive curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of accounting careers, including tax accountant, internal auditor, consultant, or fraud examiner. Alternatively, students can opt to complete an Integrated Master’s of Science (MS) in Accounting, which allows students to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California’s (USC) Marshall School of Business, located in Los Angeles, offers a four-year undergraduate accounting degree through the Leventhal School of Accounting. The program produces confident students who are well-versed in the ever-changing field of accounting. Students in the undergraduate accounting program typically take accounting courses during the last two years of the program. Courses include Accounting Information Systems, Advanced External Financial Reporting, and Auditing. USC Leventhal aims to develop technically savvy, analytical graduates who are capable of ethical decision-making and thrive in collaborative business environments. The entirety of the undergraduate degree consists of 128 units, including 68 to 70 courses in Accounting and Business.

Graduate Accounting Programs

California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) offers a Master of Science degree in Accountancy (MSA) degree. Its College of Business has a curriculum consisting of business and accounting courses as well as several “option courses.” Core courses include Accounting Information Systems; Auditing; Financial Accounting Theory; Leadership and Professional Skills for Accountants; and Case Studies and Research in Accounting. Optional courses include Accounting Information Systems; Financial and Public Accounting; and Taxation. Cal State LA’s program features flexible scheduling options, CPA exam preparation, certification preparation in fraud examination and internal auditing, and guest lecturers. GMAT or GRE scores are required, as well as a professional resume and a minimum of three years of professional work experience. Students can also choose from one of several specialized options including accounting information systems, financial and public accounting, and managerial and cost accounting.

University of California, Davis

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Graduate School of Management offers a one-year Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) degree program that meets California’s requirements for CPAs. The program is designed to be completed in an accelerated, full-time nine-month format and consists of 12 courses, totaling 48 units, which are spread over the school’s year’s three quarters. The program includes advanced courses in auditing, financial reporting, international accounting, and ethics. Students can also apply to waive the courses in financial reporting if they have previously completed a similar course, and instead take more specialized coursework.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

California State University, Long Beach

California State University (CSU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accountancy in a hybrid format, a combination of on-campus classes at the Long Beach campus and online coursework. The BSBA degree comprises 120 units, which are divided into five parts: Lower Division, Ethics Course Requirement, Critical Thinking Course Requirements, Computer Literacy and Competency, Upper Division, and Electives. The Lower Division provides an overview of basic accounting principles, including required courses such as Elementary Financial Accounting; Principles of Macroeconomics; Principles of Microeconomics; and Intro to Business Statistics. The Upper Division covers more advanced and specialized courses such as International Business; Management Information Systems; Business Statistics; and Principles of Marketing. A Capstone course is also required for all BSBA in Accountancy students, called Business Strategy and Policy.

California State University, Sacramento

The College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento, also known as Sacramento State University, offers an online Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program that can be completed fully online. Sacramento State’s MSA comprises 150 credit hours, which meets the requirement set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for CPAs, and it adequately prepares graduates to sit for the CPA and CMA exams, specifically focusing on exam areas. Sacramento’s online format uses online materials, video streaming, and instant messaging to deliver the course content and to communicate with other students and professors. Full-time students can complete the MSA in just 18 months, with each six-week course meeting once per week online. Coursework includes classes like Financial Reporting I and II; Cost Analysis and Control; and Advanced Accounting Information Systems Analysis and Controls. GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission.

National University

National University offers online programs for both a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting and a Master of Accounting (MAcc). The BS in Accounting requires 180 quarter units, including 76.5 major-specific quarter units, and is designed to prepare students for the CPA exam. The MAcc requires at least 45 quarter units of graduate work and prepares students to implement current technologies to analyze and evaluate financial information while addressing practical and ethical issues within the industry. All courses at National University follow a 100% online, four-week format, with year-round enrollment available for both accounting programs.

California CPA Requirements and Steps

The California Board of Accountancy (CBA) requires CPA aspirants to hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 units in accounting-related subjects, 24 units in business-related subjects, 20 units of accounting study, 10 units of ethics study, and 150 total semester units of higher education. There are six main steps to complete in order to meet the California CPA requirements and to earn a CPA license in California.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Apply for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  4. Apply for a license.
  5. Complete the California CPA Education Foundation ethics exam.
  6. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.

To be eligible for a California CPA license, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree and have completed a total of 150 semester hours of college or university education. This must include 24 semester hours of accounting. Qualifying study areas include:

  • Accounting
  • Auditing
  • External or internal reporting
  • Financial reporting
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Taxation

Students must also complete 24 semester hours of business coursework in topics such as:

  • Business administration
  • Business law
  • Computer science/information systems
  • Finance
  • Mathematics
  • Business communications
  • Business management
  • Economics
  • Marketing
  • Statistics

Candidates must also complete a second core of 20 semester hours of accounting related subjects. This requirement can be met by earning a Master of Accounting or Taxation or by taking a minimum of six semester hours in accounting; up to 14 semester hours in business-related subjects; and nine semester hours in supportive courses such as communications and foreign languages that include cultural study. Candidates must also have completed 10 semester hours of ethics.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

Applicants must complete at least 12 months or 2,040 hours of experience in general accounting, including 500 hours of attest experience. Experience in public, private, or government work qualifies if completed under the supervision of an individual licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in public accounting practice. Experience in academia must meet strict standards set by the Board in order to qualify for the experience hour requirement.

3. Apply for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

The standardized, four-part Uniform CPA Exam is developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and administered by NASBA. The Uniform CPA Exam is a prerequisite to CPA licensure in all 50 states, including California. Once you have completed the required 24 units each in accounting and business subjects, you may apply to take the exam on the CBA’s website. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a score of 75 or higher within 18 months for the exam to be considered successfully completed.

4. Apply for a license.

Applicants must provide their US social security number and evidence of completing the required education and experience hours with the application for a CPA license, along with an application fee. Additionally, a fingerprint-based background check must be completed and passed for a license to be issued. You can find additional information and required forms on the CBA’s website.

5. Complete the California CPA Education Foundation ethics exam.

Prospective California licensees must pass the California CPA Education Foundation Ethics Examination (PETH). This exam is currently the only ethics exam recognized and accepted by the California Board of Accountancy. The PETH exam can be ordered through the CalCPA Education Foundation. Candidates must pass the exam within two years of the application for a CPA license.

6. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

After their test scores have been reviewed and their application accepted, applicants must pay an initial CPA license fee (in addition to the application fee) and submit public contact information to the CBA. Approved applicants will receive their CPA wall certificate and a congratulatory letter from the CBA. Only after a CPA license number has been issued from the CBA can applicants begin practicing public accountancy.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

After a license is issued, CPAs must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) for every six months that the license remains in effect (totaling 80 hours per each two-year license renewal period). The 80 CE hours must include the following:

  • 40 hours minimum in technical subject areas
  • 24 hours in government auditing or accounting auditing (A&A)
  • Four hours in ethics education
  • Four hours in fraud prevention and reporting

About 90 days before the license expiration date, applicants will receive a license renewal application in the mail. Along with the renewal application and fee, they must complete a Continuing Education (CE) Reporting Worksheet which documents the completion of the CE hours required. Additional information about continuing education and California CPA license requirements can be found on the California Board of Accountancy website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in California

In addition to seeking jobs with major California employers like Apple, Bechtel Group, Google, and Williams-Sonoma, graduates can seek employment with major accounting firms in the state, including Deloitte, Hood & Strong, and Large & Gilbert. Graduates may also choose to start their own businesses, be independent consultants, or obtain employment with the government. Government accounting jobs include positions with the FBI, Department of Defense, IRS, and the State Department.

California Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Bakersfield1,590$85,290
Fresno2,260$81,180
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim61,220$92,380
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade12,250$85,830
San Diego-Carlsbad11,790$77,990
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward20,790$91,230
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara12,740$116,320
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande760$82,140
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara1,340$90,750

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in California

  • Holthouse Carlin Van Trigt LLP (HCVT): The largest CPA firm in Southern California and regularly ranked among the Top CPA firms by Public Accounting Report.
  • EideBailly: Has multiple offices across California and is ranked among the top CPA firms in the state; the firm also regularly receives national recognition.
  • Clifton Larson Allen (CLA): A regional employer of recent graduates, serving the construction, real estate, manufacturing, wholesale, and professional industries.

California Accounting Associations

  • California Society of CPAs (CalCPA): Made up of 14 chapters, CalCPA seeks to promote the integrity of the profession of CPAs by advocating for issues that affect them, enhancing the visibility of the profession, and offering engagement opportunities to CPAs of all career levels.
  • California Board of Accountancy: Sets the licensing standards for future and current California CPAs.

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/
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, California: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ca.htm
13. California Board of Accountancy: https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/