Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Accounting Schools

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy2601 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717-783-1404
Fax: 717-705-5540
Email: st-accountancy@state.pa.us

Accounting programs provide students with the necessary education to practice accounting and perform a number of functions related to business. The curriculum contains classes on:

  • accounting principles and theories
  • managerial accounting
  • financial accounting
  • cost accounting
  • tax accounting
  • budget control
  • auditing
  • legal accounting
  • statement analysis
  • reporting procedures
  • business information systems
  • consulting and planning
  • ethics and professional standards
  • accounting research methods
  • the applications that pertain to public, nonprofit and profit organizations

You can expect to complete classes in a number of different disciplines along the way to garnering your degree. Some of the common classes include accounting, business law, economics, theory, written communication, oral communication and much more. Those entering into the field of accounting should have a strong attention to detail, a passion for numbers and a dedication to accuracy in everything they do. Expect to spend at least two years earning your degree, but you can work all the way up to your graduate degree in accounting and eventually CPA certification. The possibilities are endless with what you can do with a degree in accounting.

Total Accounting Schools: 14
Total Accounting Students: 69,664
Average Tuition: $20,961
Average Scholarship Package: $9,171
Average Grant Amount: $10,715
Average Classroom Size: 16 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 93
Average Online Tuition: $21,320
Online Undergraduate Programs: 86
Online Graduate Programs: 58
Top Accounting Schools:University of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University
Villanova University
Largest Accounting School:Pennsylvania State University – Main Campus
• 7,366 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Butler County Community College
• $6,030 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:University of Pennsylvania
• $32,194 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania accountants earned an average salary of $70,420 as of May 2020. The top pros in the field – largely those with graduate-level degrees, extensive experience, and senior/executive titles, earned closer to the 90thpercentile, which was $120,200 during this time.

The Philadelphia metro area reported one of the strongest average salaries as of May 2020, at $78,030.

The state will also enjoy strong job growth in the accounting field in the coming years. Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accounting jobs in Pennsylvania is projected to increase by 6% – that’s higher than the national projected growth rate of 4% during this time. The state also expects to see about 5,870 annual job openings in the accounting field during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

Job opportunities for graduates of accounting degrees include:

  • Auditors – These individuals are responsible for going through the books of the company and ensuring they are in compliance. If there are any discrepancies, they will work to locate the source and get the information corrected.
  • Business Teachers –Business and accounting teachers at the post-secondary level share their passion for business with their students. Expect to hold a doctorate degree to qualify to teach at this level.
  • Credit Analysts – Credit analysts review the credit accounts of the business to determine where they can improve upon their current situation. It is up to them to make the necessary recommendations based upon the situation of the business.

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.