Master's in Accounting Rankings

The Best Master's in Accounting in Connecticut for 2026

10Programs analyzed
$6,998-$57,450In-state tuition range
61%Average graduation rate
$94,160Median salary (BLS)

The best master's in accounting in Connecticut spans a wide cost range: in-state tuition among the 10 ranked programs analyzed in Connecticut runs from $6,998 at Central Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University to $57,450 at Fairfield University, a $50,452 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. That $6,998 figure is the cheapest strong-value entry on the list, not just the cheapest overall: Central Connecticut State University still posts a Hakia Score of 81.8, fourth-highest on the list.

Graduation rate tells the other half of the story. Across all 10 programs, the average graduation rate is 61%, but the spread runs from 25% at Post University to 84% at Fairfield University. University of Connecticut leads the overall ranking with a 93.6 Hakia Score, an 83% graduation rate, and $17,010 in-state tuition, a middle-of-the-pack price that outperforms cheaper and pricier competitors alike on outcomes. A master of accountancy, or MAcc, is the standard path to the 150 credit hours Connecticut requires for CPA licensure, so cost, accreditation, and completion rate all carry direct weight on the return a graduate sees.

This guide breaks down what the top accounting programs in Connecticut cost, how they handle CPA licensure and accreditation, and where online and accelerated formats fit, using only the real, per-school figures behind the ranking.

Key Takeaways on the Best Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut

  • University of Connecticut leads the ranking with a Hakia Score of 93.6 and an 83% graduation rate, the strongest outcomes profile among Connecticut's accounting programs.
  • In-state tuition across the 10 ranked programs spans $6,998 (Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University) to $57,450 (Fairfield University), a $50,452 range.
  • The average graduation rate across Connecticut's ranked accounting programs is 61%, from a low of 25% at Post University to a high of 84% at Fairfield University.
  • Central Connecticut State University delivers the state's lowest-cost master of accountancy at $6,998 in-state, still scoring 81.8 on the Hakia Score despite a 48% graduation rate.
  • Sacred Heart University ranks third overall at 88.0, with a 73% graduation rate and $50,084 in-state tuition.
  • Nationally, accountants and auditors earn a median $94,160 a year, per BLS wage data, the benchmark against which any Connecticut MAcc's cost should be measured.

Each school's Hakia Score blends graduation rate, admissions selectivity, in-state tuition cost, and outcomes data pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS system, weighted against national BLS occupational data for accountants and auditors. The result ranks accounting programs in Connecticut on value and completion, not name recognition alone.

The 10 Best Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut, Ranked for 2026

The 10 best Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut, ranked by outcomes
#ProgramTypeIn-state tuitionGrad rateAdmit rateHakia Score
1University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · online optionPublic$17,01083%52%93.6
2Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CTNonprofit$57,45084%33%92.4
3Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield, CT · online optionNonprofit$50,08473%65%88.0
4Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CTPublic$6,99848%73%81.8
5University of New HavenWest Haven, CT · online optionNonprofit$45,64463%60%80.6
6Quinnipiac UniversityHamden, CTNonprofit$52,67076%72%76.6
7Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CTPublic$6,99848%73%74.9
8University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT · online optionNonprofit$45,68254%96%71.2
9Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · online optionPublic$6,99858%83%68.4
10Post UniversityWaterbury, CT · online optionFor-profit$15,61625%Open67.6

Open — open-admission school: it admits every qualified applicant, so IPEDS collects no admit rate.

The Top Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut at a Glance

Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.

Inside the Top Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public · online option

93.6Hakia Score
Grad rate
83%
Admit rate
52%
In-state
$17,010
Out-of-state
$39,678

UConn's online MSA graduates 83% of students at $17,010 in-state tuition, the lowest price tag among Connecticut's four top-scored accounting master's programs (Hakia Score 93.6).

  • 30 credits, 100% online
  • AACSB-accredited accounting program
  • 83% graduation rate
  • $17,010 in-state tuition

UConn's Master of Science in Accounting runs 100% online through the School of Business, a 30-credit program built to satisfy the extra credit hours required for CPA licensure. Students design their own electives instead of following a fixed track, can start in fall, spring, or summer, and may apply with a GMAT waiver. The program holds a specialized AACSB accounting accreditation, held by roughly 194 business schools nationwide, and U.S. News ranked it 8th nationally among online graduate business programs, non-MBA, for 2026.

UConn's 93.6 Hakia Score, the highest of any Connecticut accounting master's, rests on an 83% graduation rate and a 52% admit rate at a 28,306-student public university. In-state tuition is $17,010 versus $39,678 out-of-state, a $22,668 gap that is smaller than the national median $94,160 salary for accountants and auditors, so in-state status pays for itself well inside the first year on the job. It fits a working professional who wants a flexible, fully online path to the 150-hour CPA requirement without relocating or pausing a career.

View Connecticut's Master's in Accounting program →

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT · Nonprofit

92.4Hakia Score
Grad rate
84%
Admit rate
33%
In-state
$57,450
Out-of-state
$57,450

Fairfield's on-campus MSA admits just 33% of applicants, the most selective in Connecticut, and graduates 84% of them in 12 months (Hakia Score 92.4).

  • 84% graduation rate
  • 33% admit rate, most selective in CT
  • 12-month full-time track
  • No GMAT/GRE required

Fairfield's Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-credit, on-campus program at the Dolan School of Business, completed full-time in 12 months with three tracks: assurance, business analytics, and taxation. No GMAT or GRE is required, and the schedule builds in time to sit the CPA exam and complete a paid internship, an advantage of Fairfield's location just over an hour from New York City's Big Four offices; recent hires include Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC.

Fairfield's 92.4 Hakia Score, second-highest in Connecticut, is built on an 84% graduation rate against a 33% admit rate, the tightest of the four programs here. Tuition runs $57,450 flat, the same for in-state and out-of-state students since it's private; the program itself is quoted separately at $1,285 per credit, about $38,550 for the 30-credit sequence before fees. U.S. News ranks it 2nd in Connecticut for MS in Accounting (2026). This fits a strong recent graduate, Fairfield's incoming cohort averages a 3.82 GPA, aiming for a Big Four seat within a year rather than a part-time, flexible schedule.

View Fairfield's Master's in Accounting program →

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT · Nonprofit · online option

88.0Hakia Score
Grad rate
73%
Admit rate
65%
In-state
$50,084
Out-of-state
$50,084

Sacred Heart admits 65% of applicants, the most accessible MSA in Connecticut's top four, and reports 100% of graduates held a job offer within a year (Hakia Score 88).

  • 65% admit rate, most accessible in CT
  • Hybrid: online plus monthly Saturday seminars
  • Forensic or tax concentration
  • 100% reported job-offer rate within 1 year

Sacred Heart's MS in Accounting, housed in the Welch College of Business and Technology, is a 30-credit, one-year program delivered in a hybrid format: online coursework paired with monthly Saturday seminars on the Fairfield campus. Students choose one of two concentrations, Forensic Accounting or Tax Compliance and Planning; no GRE or GMAT is required, and the curriculum is aligned with the new CPA exam, with eligible students able to receive Becker CPA review at no cost.

Its 88 Hakia Score trails UConn and Fairfield, built on a 73% graduation rate and the most open admit rate in this group at 65%. Tuition is $50,084 flat, no in-state or out-of-state split since it's private; Sacred Heart quotes the program itself at $1,010 per credit, about $30,300 for 30 credits before fees. This is the pick for someone who wants a named concentration, forensic or tax, without a full relocation to a full-time, on-campus schedule, and who values Sacred Heart's own reported figure that 100% of MSA graduates had accepted a job offer within a year.

View Sacred Heart's Master's in Accounting program →

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, CT · Public

81.8Hakia Score
Grad rate
48%
Admit rate
73%
In-state
$6,998
Out-of-state
$10,498

CCSU delivers a CPA-track MSA for $6,998 in-state, less than half UConn's in-state tuition and well under a fifth of Fairfield's $57,450 sticker price, with evening classes on-campus or online (Hakia Score 81.8).

  • $6,998 in-state tuition, lowest in CT
  • Evening classes, on-campus or online
  • 73% admit rate, most accessible in CT
  • AACSB-accredited Central School of Business

CCSU's MS in Accounting is a 30-credit program with three start terms, January, May, and August, open to full-time or part-time students, with evening classes offered both on-campus and online. The curriculum is aligned with the 2024 CPA licensure model and leans into analytics and emerging technology, covering fund accounting, audit planning, risk analysis, and internal-control assessment, and it satisfies Connecticut's educational requirements for CPA licensure. The Central School of Business carries AACSB accreditation.

CCSU posts the lowest Hakia Score of the four Connecticut programs here, 81.8, built on a 48% graduation rate, the softest in this group, against the most open admit rate at 73%. It is also by far the cheapest: $6,998 in-state and $10,498 out-of-state, a fraction of the $17,010 to $57,450 range at the other three Connecticut programs profiled here. That combination, low cost, evening and online scheduling, and easier admission, fits a working accountant who needs the 150 CPA credit hours on a tight budget more than a highly selective, full-time cohort experience.

View Central Connecticut State's Master's in Accounting program →

University of New Haven

West Haven, CT · Nonprofit · online option

80.6Hakia Score
Grad rate
63%
Admit rate
60%
In-state
$45,644
Out-of-state
$45,644

University of New Haven's MS in Accounting posts a Hakia Score of 80.6, the highest among Connecticut's top master's in accounting programs, built on four concentrations including a STEM-certified accounting analytics track.

  • Hakia Score: 80.6
  • 63% graduation rate
  • 60% admit rate
  • $45,644 tuition, in-state or out-of-state

University of New Haven's Pompea College of Business runs a Master of Science in Accounting built around four concentrations: accounting analytics (a STEM-certified track that gives international students up to 36 months of OPT), corporate accounting, forensic accounting taught partly through the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, and taxation. The degree runs 36 to 39 credits, including six prerequisite credits that can be waived, and most students finish in 1.5 to 2 years without submitting a GMAT or GRE score. The college holds AACSB accreditation, a distinction held by only 6% of business schools worldwide.

The program carries a Hakia Score of 80.6, the highest among Connecticut's top master's in accounting programs, resting on a 63% graduation rate and a 60% admit rate across 9,229 total students enrolled. Tuition is a flat $45,644, the same for in-state and out-of-state students, which suits applicants comparing a private degree against a public school's in-state discount elsewhere. Merit aid can offset that price: the Dean's Scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition and the Provost's Assistantship covers 75% plus a stipend for full-time students carrying 9 or more credits a term.

Because Connecticut adopted new CPA licensure pathways in fall 2025, the university states its curriculum is under review to stay aligned with the state's requirements, and the program is open to both accounting graduates and career changers through two waivable prerequisite courses.

View New Haven's Master's in Accounting program →

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT · Nonprofit

76.6Hakia Score
Grad rate
76%
Admit rate
72%
In-state
$52,670
Out-of-state
$52,670

Quinnipiac's on-campus MS in Accounting posts a 76% graduation rate, the strongest completion rate among Connecticut's top master's in accounting programs, feeding a CPA-focused curriculum tied to the state's 150-hour rule.

  • Hakia Score: 76.6
  • 76% graduation rate, best of the group
  • 72% admit rate
  • $52,670 flat tuition

Quinnipiac University's MS in Accounting is delivered entirely on campus and built to clear Connecticut's 150-hour education requirement for the CPA exam. Coursework covers public policy, corporate governance, financial analysis, taxation and global accounting practices, with an optional concentration in business analytics that adds predictive modeling, data management and data visualization courses. Students who start as undergraduates in the School of Business can compress the timeline through a 3+1 or 4+1 dual-degree BS/MS track, finishing both degrees in four years.

The program carries a Hakia Score of 76.6, the second highest among Connecticut's top master's in accounting programs, built on a 76% graduation rate, the strongest completion rate of the four, and a 72% admit rate across 9,424 total students enrolled. Tuition is a flat $52,670, the highest of the group, a premium that buys a CPA-focused, in-person track with annual career fairs that draw all four major accounting firms plus regional CPA and consulting employers.

The program's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance clinic gives students supervised, hands-on tax-prep experience: in 2025, Quinnipiac accounting students filed returns for 293 local taxpayers, generated more than $400,000 in refunds, and saved residents an estimated $100,000 in preparation fees.

View Quinnipiac's Master's in Accounting program →

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, CT · Public

74.9Hakia Score
Grad rate
48%
Admit rate
73%
In-state
$6,998
Out-of-state
$10,498

Central Connecticut State University charges $6,998 in-state tuition for its MS in Accounting, about 85% less than the priciest private program in this group, while meeting Connecticut's CPA education requirements.

  • Hakia Score: 74.9
  • $6,998 in-state tuition
  • $10,498 out-of-state tuition
  • 48% graduation rate

Central Connecticut State University's MS in Accounting is a 30-credit, AACSB-accredited program built around Connecticut's CPA education requirements, including the newly identified disciplines under the 2024 licensure model. New cohorts start every January, May and August, classes run evenings both on campus and online, and students can attend full- or part-time. Coursework covers fund accounting, audit planning, risk analysis and internal control assessment, with major CPA employers recruiting on campus.

CCSU carries a Hakia Score of 74.9, built on a 48% graduation rate, the lowest completion rate among the four programs profiled here, and a 73% admit rate across 9,997 total students enrolled. Tuition is $6,998 in-state and $10,498 out-of-state, by far the lowest cost of the group; the in-state rate runs about 85% below University of New Haven's flat $45,644 tuition. That combination, public pricing with AACSB accreditation, fits students who want CPA-exam readiness on a budget over private-school extras.

View Central Connecticut State's Master's in Accounting program →

University of Hartford

West Hartford, CT · Nonprofit · online option

71.2Hakia Score
Grad rate
54%
Admit rate
96%
In-state
$45,682
Out-of-state
$45,682

University of Hartford's 100% online MSAT graduates posted a 64% first-time CPA exam pass rate in 2024, the highest of any university in Connecticut, while accepting 96% of applicants.

  • Hakia Score: 71.2
  • 96% admit rate
  • 64% first-time CPA pass rate (2024), highest in CT
  • 100% online, finish in under a year

The Barney School's Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation (MSAT) is delivered 100% online across 30 credits and 10 courses, each running in seven-week blocks, so a full-time student can finish in under a year. The GMAT and GRE are optional, and the degree is built to satisfy the 120/150-hour CPA licensing requirement. Required courses include Accounting Analytics and Business Analysis and Advanced Auditing with Data Analytics and AI Applications, with electives in state and local tax, forensics and fraud examination, and estate planning; the Barney School holds AACSB accreditation.

Its Hakia Score of 71.2 is the lowest of Connecticut's four top master's in accounting programs profiled here, alongside a 54% graduation rate. Its 96% admit rate is by far the most open of the group, and its 6,015 total enrollment is the smallest. Published tuition is a flat $45,682 for in-state and out-of-state students; the program also bills part-time and per-course students at $916 per credit within its 30-credit format.

That access doesn't come at the cost of outcomes: UHart MSAT graduates posted a 64% first-time CPA exam pass rate in 2024, the highest of any university in Connecticut, well above the 50% first-time pass rate the school's own BS in Accounting graduates posted that same year, and the program reports a 100% graduate placement rate.

View Hartford's Master's in Accounting program →

Eastern Connecticut State University

Willimantic, CT · Public · online option

68.4Hakia Score
Grad rate
58%
Admit rate
83%
In-state
$6,998
Out-of-state
$10,496

At $6,998 a year in-state, Eastern Connecticut State University is among the more affordable master's in accounting programs ranked here, holding a 68.4 Hakia Score on a 58% graduation rate.

  • Hakia Score 68.4, #9 of 10
  • 58% graduation rate
  • $6,998 in-state vs $10,496 out-of-state
  • Smallest campus in this ranking

Based in Willimantic, CT, Eastern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Its Master's in Accounting program lands at #9 of the 10 ranked here, earning a 68.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 79.5 group average, in the lower third of the 10 ranked programs. The program graduates 58% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Eastern Connecticut State University admits 83% of applicants, less selective than the 67% average for the group. That is more open than the 33% rate at Fairfield University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 84%.

On cost, Eastern Connecticut State University charges $6,998 a year in-state, versus $10,496 for out-of-state students. Over two years that is about $13,996 in tuition for residents, against $20,992 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,998 at Central Connecticut State University to $57,450 at Fairfield University. Graduates step into a field with a $94,160 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

View Eastern Connecticut State's Master's in Accounting program →

Post University

Waterbury, CT · For-profit · online option

67.6Hakia Score
Grad rate
25%
Admit rate
Open
In-state
$15,616
Out-of-state
$15,616

At $15,616 a year in-state, Post University is among the more affordable master's in accounting programs ranked here, holding a 67.6 Hakia Score on a 25% graduation rate.

  • Hakia Score 67.6, #10 of 10
  • 25% graduation rate
  • $15,616 tuition
  • Online option available

Based in Waterbury, CT, Post University is a private, for-profit institution. Its Master's in Accounting program lands at #10 of the 10 ranked here, earning a 67.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 79.5 group average, in the lower third of the 10 ranked programs. The program graduates 25% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Post University holds an open-admission policy, accepting every qualified applicant. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 84%. The university enrolls 16,178 students overall.

On cost, Post University charges $15,616 a year in-state. Over two years that totals about $31,232 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,998 at Central Connecticut State University to $57,450 at Fairfield University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $94,160 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 6x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

View Post's Master's in Accounting program →

What Connecticut's Top Accounting Programs Cost

Cost is the first filter for anyone comparing accounting programs in Connecticut. In-state tuition among the 10 ranked programs spans $6,998 to $57,450, a $50,452 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. The public options, Central Connecticut State University (scored twice, at 81.8 and 74.9) and Eastern Connecticut State University, all charge $6,998 in-state. Every private nonprofit on the list charges at least $45,644, with Fairfield University topping the field at $57,450.

That spread matters because a master of accountancy is a credential, not a guaranteed salary bump by itself. Accountants and auditors nationally earn a median $94,160 a year, according to BLS wage data. A student paying $6,998 at Central Connecticut State University recoups that tuition in well under a month at the national median salary. A student paying $57,450 at Fairfield University needs roughly six months of that same median salary just to cover tuition, before housing, books, or CPA exam prep. Neither number predicts what a specific Connecticut graduate will earn; both show why the tuition gap deserves scrutiny before enrollment.

Public in-state pricing is not automatic. Central Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University post the $6,998 figure for Connecticut residents; out-of-state applicants pay more. Confirm residency-based tuition before assuming the lowest sticker price on this list applies to you.

CPA Licensure and the 150-Hour Rule in Connecticut

Connecticut, like every state, requires 150 semester hours of college credit to sit for the CPA exam and hold a CPA license, 30 hours beyond a standard 120-hour bachelor's degree. A master of accountancy is the most direct way to close that gap: most MAcc curriculums run 30 to 36 credit hours, enough to push a four-year accounting bachelor's degree holder past the 150-hour threshold in about one additional year of full-time study.

The Connecticut State Board of Accountancy administers the state's CPA licensure requirements, built on the AICPA-backed Uniform Accountancy Act framework used nationwide. Anyone applying to Connecticut's accounting programs with CPA licensure in mind should confirm a target MAcc satisfies the 150-hour rule and meets Connecticut's specific accounting and business credit-hour minimums, not just a generic 30 extra credits.

Program choice affects timeline as much as cost. A MAcc built around CPA-exam content, rather than a generic business master's, gets a graduate to license-eligibility faster and with fewer gaps to fill after the fact.

Why AACSB Accreditation Matters for a Master of Accountancy

AACSB accreditation is the most selective business-school accreditation in the country; fewer than 6% of the world's business programs hold it. Several of Connecticut's top-ranked schools, including University of Connecticut and Fairfield University, sit inside AACSB-accredited business schools, and separate accounting-specific AACSB accreditation is a further signal that a program's curriculum, faculty research output, and CPA-exam preparation meet a peer-reviewed bar.

ACBSP accreditation is the more common alternative among regional and smaller private accounting programs; it verifies teaching quality and curriculum standards without AACSB's research-intensity requirements. Neither accreditation guarantees a specific CPA pass rate or starting salary, but employers recruiting accountants and auditors use accreditation as a fast screen, and Connecticut's licensure pathway recognizes credit hours from accredited institutions without added scrutiny.

Confirm accreditation status directly before enrolling. Accreditation can lapse or change between a school's marketing page and the current AACSB or ACBSP member list.

What Sets the Best Master's in Accounting Programs in Connecticut Apart

University of Connecticut leads the field with a Hakia Score of 93.6, built on an 83% graduation rate and the strongest overall outcomes profile among accounting programs in Connecticut. Fairfield University ranks second at 92.4, with the highest graduation rate on the list at 84%, though its $57,450 in-state tuition runs more than three times UConn's $17,010. Sacred Heart University rounds out the top three at 88.0, with a 73% graduation rate and $50,084 tuition.

  • University of Connecticut: 93.6 Hakia Score, 83% graduation rate, $17,010 in-state tuition.
  • Fairfield University: 92.4 Hakia Score, 84% graduation rate, $57,450 in-state tuition.
  • Sacred Heart University: 88.0 Hakia Score, 73% graduation rate, $50,084 in-state tuition.

Central Connecticut State University appears twice in the ranking under two program variants, scoring 81.8 and 74.9. Both share the same $6,998 in-state tuition and 48% graduation rate, the tradeoff for the lowest cost on the list. Quinnipiac University (76.6 score, 76% graduation rate) and University of New Haven (80.6 score, 63% graduation rate) sit in the middle tier, priced closer to the private-school norm above $45,000.

At the bottom of the ranking, Post University scores 67.6 with a 25% graduation rate, the lowest completion rate among all 10 programs despite a comparatively low $15,616 tuition. A low price does not offset a low completion rate; a program only pays off if a student finishes it. That balance of cost and completion data is what separates the best master's in accounting in Connecticut from the rest of the field.

Online and Accelerated Master's in Accounting Programs in Connecticut

Format flexibility varies sharply across Connecticut's accounting programs. University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University both structure MAcc tracks for working professionals who need evening, hybrid, or part-time scheduling to keep a job while finishing the 150-hour requirement. Central Connecticut State University's lower-cost program is built for part-time completion, which explains part of the gap between its low sticker price and its 48% graduation rate: many students take longer than a standard one-year timeline.

Online delivery is increasingly common among the private nonprofit options, including University of New Haven and University of Hartford, both of which offer online or hybrid coursework alongside on-campus sections. An online master of accountancy from an AACSB- or ACBSP-accredited Connecticut school carries the same accreditation and CPA-eligibility value as the on-campus version; the Connecticut State Board of Accountancy does not distinguish delivery format when evaluating credit hours toward licensure.

Accelerated combined bachelor's-to-MAcc pathways, sometimes called 4+1 programs, let a student finish both degrees and the 150-hour requirement in five years instead of six. Ask any Connecticut accounting programs admissions office directly whether a combined pathway exists; it is the fastest documented route to CPA eligibility on this list.

Accounting Careers and Salary Outlook After Connecticut Accounting Programs

Accountants and auditors earn a median $94,160 a year nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. That figure is a national field median, not a Connecticut-specific number and not tied to any single school on this list; treat it as context for weighing tuition, not as a promised outcome of any of these accounting programs.

BLS projects continued demand for accountants and auditors as regulatory complexity and financial reporting requirements grow, with a CPA license consistently cited as a differentiator for higher-level roles like controller, audit partner, or forensic accountant. A master of accountancy is the standard credential path to that license in Connecticut and nationwide, delivering the 150 credit hours the CPA exam requires in one focused year rather than scattered undergraduate electives.

Connecticut's financial services and insurance sector, concentrated around Hartford and Stamford, is a significant regional employer of accountants and auditors, though wage data is not broken out separately by school in this dataset. Full national and state-level wage detail is available through BLS's OEWS program.

Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut: Your Questions, Answered

What is the best master's in accounting in Connecticut?
Based on Hakia Score, University of Connecticut ranks first among the best master's in accounting in Connecticut, scoring 93.6 on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, with an 83% graduation rate and $17,010 in-state tuition. Fairfield University ranks second at 92.4, and Sacred Heart University third at 88.0. Ranking order reflects a blend of factors, not price alone; Central Connecticut State University charges far less ($6,998) but scores lower (81.8) largely because of its 48% graduation rate.
How long does a master of accountancy take in Connecticut?
Most Connecticut MAcc programs run 30 to 36 credit hours, completed in about one year full-time or two to three years part-time. Combined bachelor's-to-MAcc pathways, offered at schools like Quinnipiac University, can shorten the total timeline to five years for both degrees. Part-time students, common at lower-cost public options like Central Connecticut State University, often take longer, part of why that program's graduation rate sits at 48%.
Is an online master's in accounting respected by employers?
Yes, provided the program carries AACSB or ACBSP accreditation. Connecticut's licensure rules do not distinguish between online and on-campus credit hours toward the 150-hour CPA requirement. University of New Haven and University of Hartford both offer online or hybrid MAcc coursework alongside in-person sections. Employers generally evaluate accreditation and coursework, not delivery format, so a well-accredited online program is not a lesser credential.
How much does a master's in accounting cost in Connecticut?
In-state tuition among the 10 ranked accounting programs in Connecticut spans $6,998 to $57,450. Public options, Central Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University, charge $6,998. Private nonprofit tuition starts around $45,644 at University of New Haven and tops out at $57,450 at Fairfield University. Post University, a private for-profit, charges $15,616. Non-resident tuition typically runs higher than the in-state figures listed here.
What is the CPA path in Connecticut after a MAcc?
Connecticut requires 150 semester credit hours to sit for the CPA exam, 30 beyond a standard bachelor's degree. A MAcc is the fastest way to reach that threshold. After completing the required coursework, candidates apply through the Connecticut State Board of Accountancy, sit for the Uniform CPA Examination, and complete the state's work-experience requirement before licensure. AICPA sets the national exam content and licensure framework Connecticut's board follows.
Do I need an accredited program to sit for the CPA exam in Connecticut?
Connecticut's CPA licensure rules require credit hours from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, not specifically AACSB or ACBSP business accreditation. That said, an AACSB- or ACBSP-accredited program adds a quality signal beyond the minimum licensure bar, since both accreditations audit curriculum and faculty standards. Confirm a target school's accreditation status directly with the Connecticut State Board of Accountancy if the school is unfamiliar.
What's the difference between AACSB and ACBSP accreditation?
AACSB accreditation is the more selective standard, held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide, and typically requires significant faculty research output. ACBSP accreditation focuses on teaching quality and curriculum standards with a lower research bar, making it more common among smaller and regional accounting programs. Both are recognized by employers and Connecticut's licensure process; AACSB carries more prestige, while ACBSP often signals a teaching-first school.
Which Connecticut accounting programs have the highest graduation rates?
Fairfield University posts the highest graduation rate among Connecticut's ranked accounting programs at 84%, followed closely by University of Connecticut at 83%. Quinnipiac University follows at 76%, and Sacred Heart University at 73%. At the other end, Post University's 25% graduation rate is the lowest on the list, and both Central Connecticut State University entries sit at 48%.

How the Accounting Master's Programs in Connecticut Are Scored

Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:

  • Outcomes44%

    Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?

  • Selectivity & academics38%

    Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).

  • Scale & value18%

    Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).

Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.

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Data sources