Accounting Schools in Oregon

Oregon Accounting Schools

Oregon Board of Accountancy3218 Pringle Road – SE 110
Salem, OR 97302-6307
Phone: 503-378-4181
Fax: 503-378-3575
Email: martin.w.pittioni@state.or.us

Accounting is a business operational support function needed by every organization across all industries. Students gain foundational principles of accounting as well as the required 150 semester hours of accounting training through certificate and degree granting schools. Oregon has many such accredited university level accounting degree programs to prepare students to sit for the certified public accountant exam as well as continued long-term career success. Here are some common topics a student learns while participating in one of Oregon’s accounting degree programs.

  • cost accounting
  • financial accounting
  • auditing
  • managerial accounting
  • corporate accounting
  • forensic accounting
  • accounting information systems
  • tax accounting

With many schools from which to choose, students pursuing an accounting degree in Oregon are sure to find the right program to meet their interests and career goals. The top Oregon accounting degree granting universities based on U.S.

Some of the accounting programs feature small class sizes and a curriculum that focuses on utilizing great communication skills for group problem solving. Their strategy appears to have met remarkable success as statistics show that a high percentage of Oregon graduates pass some or all parts of the certified public accountant exam. The curriculum at the backbone of most accounting degree program’s success include interesting topics like forensic accounting, auditing, and fraud investigation.

An undergraduate accounting degree program presents students with accounting basics, while a master of Accounting program resembles a “finishing school” for accountants. The program allows students to delve into hot accounting topics like international financial reporting requirements, auditing, and corporate taxation. In addition to these required technical skills, the program also teaches students practical matters needed for success in a business environment; students learn how to present themselves and their work in a professional manner utilizing attention to detail.

Total Accounting Schools: 40
Total Accounting Students: 12,196
Average Tuition: $10,347
Average Scholarship Package: $4,202
Average Grant Amount: $6,323
Average Classroom Size: 15 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 28
Average Online Tuition: $8,795
Online Undergraduate Programs: 27
Online Graduate Programs: 8
Top Accounting Schools:George Fox University
Linfield College – McMinnville Campus
Oregon State University
Largest Accounting School:University of Oregon
• 4,167 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Portland Community College
• $3,232 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Linfield College – McMinnville Campus
• $16,799 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Oregon

Oregon’s projected growth rate in the accounting profession is nothing short of impressive. Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accounting jobs in the state is projected to increase by 13% – that’s three times the national projected growth rate of this profession during this time. According to state-level data, during this ten-year period leading to 2028, Oregon will see about 1,510 annual job openings in the accounting field due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

As of May 2020, Oregon’s accountants earned an average salary of $71,790. The top earners here (90th percentile) earned about $111,410 during this time. The major metro area of Portland-Hillsboro was home to some of the strongest salaries in the state, reporting an average salary of $74,230 and a top (90th percentile) salary of $116,850. Accountants at the top of the pay scale are largely those with master’s in accounting degrees, extensive experience, and often the CPA designation.

Note that the salaries listed here feature base salaries only and do not include salary incentives like bonuses and stock options that are commonplace among accounting professionals.

According to research from George Fox University, an increase in future demand for accountants stems from stricter rules imposed upon the financial services industry. This premise certainly aligns with the growing interest in the forensic accounting, auditing, and fraud prevention segments of the accounting career field.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market data for accountants and auditors represents state data, not school-specific information.

Job growth projections for 2018-2028 sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database represents state data, not school-specific information.

Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed May 2021.