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Cheapest Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Wisconsin

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers the state's most affordable accounting program at just $10,044 net price, nearly $7,000 less than the next closest option. This dramatic cost advantage comes with reasonable earnings potential of $44,830 for graduates. Wisconsin's accounting market spans 20 programs with net prices ranging from $10,044 to $21,315, creating substantial savings opportunities for strategic students. The state's business-friendly environment, anchored by major employers like Epic Systems and Kimberly-Clark, provides accounting graduates with varied career paths in technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 14 of the top 15 schools being state institutions. UW-Madison commands the highest net price at $16,928 but delivers the strongest earning potential at $62,343 annually. Graduation rates vary significantly across programs, from 23.5% at Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa to 89.3% at UW-Madison, highlighting the importance of matching program rigor with individual academic preparation.
30
Programs
$10,044 – $29,237
Net Price Range
$50,423
Avg. Program Earnings
57.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
2 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
3 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
4 $13,726 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
5 $14,714 $8,606 60.9% 84.5%
6 $14,754 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
7 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
8 $14,785 $8,250 64.3% 82.4%
9 $15,135 $19,944 23.5%
10 $15,374 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
11 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
12 $16,722 $32,794 50.5% 89.9%
13 $16,928 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
14 $16,948 $9,277 67.6% 76.6%
15 $17,613 $13,420 50.0% 93.5%
16 $18,295 $34,390 58.9% 69.5%
17 $18,796 $13,420 40.0% 95.1%
18 $18,847 $11,982 62.5%
19 $20,319 $13,420 27.6% 94.5%
20 $21,315 $35,080 62.7% 93.8%
21 $22,092 $32,286 55.7% 99.5%
22 $22,633 $32,350 65.2% 72.4%
23 $23,341 $33,000 41.2% 71.6%
24 $24,362 $37,230 69.6% 72.1%
25 $24,659 $20,280 65.7% 75.1%
26 $24,813 $36,500 60.5% 81.8%
27 $25,634 $34,850 67.4% 98.6%
28 $25,674 $44,432 73.6% 83.6%
29 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
30 $29,237 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Wisconsin-Parkside so much cheaper than other accounting programs?

UW-Parkside's $10,044 net price reflects its focus on regional accessibility and efficient operations in the Kenosha area. The school's 72.83% acceptance rate indicates less selective admissions, which often correlates with lower operational costs. Despite the budget-friendly approach, graduates earn $44,830 annually, providing solid return on investment. The $14,915 average debt load remains manageable compared to many private alternatives.

How do graduation rates compare across Wisconsin's cheapest accounting programs?

Graduation rates span a wide 66-point range among affordable options, from 23.5% at Bryant & Stratton to 89.3% at UW-Madison. Most public universities cluster between 44% and 71%, with UW-Whitewater leading at 64.3% among sub-$15,000 options. UW-La Crosse achieves 71.2% graduation rate at $15,374 net price. These variations often reflect different student populations and academic support systems.

Does attending UW-Madison justify the higher cost for accounting students?

UW-Madison's $16,928 net price delivers the highest earning potential at $62,343 annually, nearly $40,000 more than the cheapest option's graduates. The 89.3% graduation rate significantly exceeds other programs, reducing the risk of incomplete education. Students also benefit from Madison's proximity to state government and major corporations. However, the $20,277 debt level requires careful financial planning.

What earning differences exist between the most and least expensive programs?

The earnings gap reaches $20,406 between UW-Madison graduates ($62,343) and the lowest earners ($41,937). Interestingly, UW-Green Bay produces $53,497 earners at just $12,878 net cost, offering excellent value. UW-Oshkosh also delivers strong $54,904 earnings at $14,761 net price. These patterns suggest that several mid-priced public options provide optimal cost-to-earnings ratios for Wisconsin accounting students.

Where do Wisconsin accounting graduates typically find employment opportunities?

Wisconsin's varied economy creates accounting demand across manufacturing giants like Kimberly-Clark, technology leaders like Epic Systems, and healthcare organizations including GE Healthcare. The state's agricultural sector also requires accounting expertise for cooperatives and agribusiness companies. Madison area offers government and university positions, while Milwaukee provides corporate headquarters opportunities. Many graduates also serve small businesses throughout Wisconsin's rural communities, where local accounting services remain essential.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.