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Updated:May. 9, 2025
By Big 4 Accounting Firms
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Best Accounting Schools and Programs in Texas

best accounting schools in texas

The state of Texas offers a wide variety of accounting school options for the aspiring accountant. Including what many consider as the single best accounting school in the nation in The University of Texas – Austin.

But not be outdone, here are just a handful of some lesser known options that deliver quality accountants:

  • Southwest Texas State University
  • McMurray University
  • Tarleton State University
  • Texas A&M University (several locations)
  • The University of Houston

Tips for Choosing the Right Accounting Program

If you’re looking to have a career in accounting, you should know that it’s a very difficult field to enter. Not only is there a lot of competition, the requirements for earning your CPA are very lengthy and exhausting.

A good accounting program will challenge you to understand the most complex concepts of accounting, and the program is only as good as the professors who teach it.

You should research the professors of the programs you are considering and see how their classes are rated. You can check online or you can always try to get into contact with someone who has experienced that program firsthand.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to actually go visit the school and see for yourself what it’s like there. You can contact a faculty member of the program and become better acquainted with what exactly their educational approach is like.

How to Become an Accountant or CPA

Becoming an accountant is not an easy road to take! Each state is different in terms of what they require for getting an accounting license.

The educational requirements are usually such that you would require:

  • a total of 150 semester credits
  • bachelor’s degree
  • a certain number of accounting credits
  • certain amount of business credits

Accounting is a program with high grading standards, so only the best make the cut. After you obtain the appropriate education, you must then qualify for the CPA exam.

This exam is known for it’s near impossible standards. Many people do not pass this exam. If you are successful, you must then take an ethics exam.

You would hope that once this exam is finished that you could obtain your license, but you also need experience under your belt.

Only after you meet each and every requirement for licensure, (and probably when you’re about ready to give up) will you become a certified public accountant!

Texas State CPA Requirements

The state of Texas requires that you firstly be of good moral character. If you have a criminal background or spotty records, you may have difficulty in obtaining your license.

You must have a baccalaureate or higher degree from a board-recognized school. You must complete 150 semester credits with 30 being accounting courses. 15 of those credits must be face-to-face courses.

Two semester credits of accounting or tax research and analysis are also required. You must have also completed 24 credits of business courses, of which 2 credit of accounting or business communications are needed.

You will also need to complete a 3 credit ethics course. Afterwards, you need to pass the CPA exam, and you will need at least two years of working experience under the supervision of a CPA or at least one year experience:

  • providing service or advice involving accounting
  • financial advisory
  • tax services

and others as long as you completed the required 150 credits and hold a graduate degree.

Texas Accounting Salary (avg)
National Accounting Salary (avg)
$55,000
$57,000

Accounting Salaries in Texas

Most people want to know what their earning potential is once they have all of the proper requirements. As of 2012, you can expect to make on average $75,000 per year. That number does not necessarily reflect what you will definitely make, but it is a ballpark range.

Chances are when you begin your career, you will be making less than that, but if you team up with the proper company or even create your own business, you may have a higher salary. Given that Texas offers such good accounting programs, CPAs are sought after and could potentially do very well financially.

Texas Accounting Jobs
Average Salary
Big4 Accountant
$72,000
Senior Corporate Accountant
$66,000
Property Accountant
$48,000
Tax Accountant
$55,000
Bookkeeper
$37,000

Accounting Program Sneak Peek

Texas accounting training

The University of Texas (Austin) is not only the best accounting school in Texas, it’s also the best program in the country!

Their program offers a broad spectrum, including interpretation of financial data, management uses of accounting, as well as the use of electronics (such as computers) in handling accounting matters.

The McCombs School Department of Accounting houses some of the most renowned researchers and faculty.

Their mission is to  further excellence in accounting to expand and create knowledge through study of theoretical and practical impact and to communicate knowledge of accounting through teaching undergraduate and graduate students, training educators, and interacting with external business and policy-making community.

This school offers bachelors, masters and Ph.D. level courses.The McCombs School has ranked the highest in accounting schools for several years.

Given that this university has scored so high, you can be sure that they have very high standards for their students and only choose the best.

Texas Accounting SchoolsAddress
Abilene Christian University1600 Campus Ct, Abilene, TX 79601
Angelo State University2601 W Avenue N, San Angelo, TX 76903
Baylor University1311 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76706
Dallas Baptist University3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211
Hardin-Simmons University2200 Hickory St, Abilene, TX 79601
Houston Baptist University7502 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77074
Howard Payne University1000 Fisk St, Brownwood, TX 76801
Lamar University4400 S M L King Jr Pkwy, Beaumont, TX 77710
McMurry University1401 Sayles Blvd, Abilene, TX 79605
Midwestern State University3410 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76308
Our Lady of the Lake University411 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207
Prairie View A&M University100 University Dr, Prairie View, TX 77446
Sam Houston State University1806 Avenue J, Huntsville, TX 77340
Southern Methodist UniversityFincher Building, Dallas, TX 75275
Southwest Texas State University601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666
Southwestern University1001 E University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
St. Edward’s University3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
St. Mary’s University of San Antonio1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228
Stephen F. Austin State University1936 North St, Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Tarleton State University1333 W Washington St, Stephenville, TX 76401
Texas A&M International University5201 University Blvd, Laredo, TX 78041
Texas A&M University – Commerce2200 Campbell St, Commerce, TX 75428
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi6300 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Texas A&M University – Kingsville955 University Blvd, Kingsville, TX 78363
Texas Christian University2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76129
Texas Lutheran University1000 W Court St, Seguin, TX 78155
Texas Southern University3100 Cleburne St, Houston, TX 77004
Texas Tech University2500 Broadway St, Lubbock, TX 79409
Texas Wesleyan University1201 Wesleyan St, Fort Worth, TX 76105
Texas Woman’s University304 Administration Dr, Denton, TX 76201
Trinity University1 Trinity Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212
University of Houston4800 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77004
University of Houston – Clear Lake2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
University of Houston – Downtown1 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
University of Houston – Victoria3007 N Ben Wilson St, Victoria, TX 77901
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor900 College St, Belton, TX 76513
University of North Texas1155 Union Cir, Denton, TX 76203
University of St. Thomas – TX3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
University of Texas – Pan American1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539
University of Texas at Arlington701 South Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX 76019
University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712
University of Texas at Dallas800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080
University of Texas at El Paso500 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79902
University of Texas at San Antonio1 UTSA Cir, San Antonio, TX 78249
University of Texas of the Permian Basin4901 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762
University of the Incarnate Word4301 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209
West Texas A&M University2501 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79016
Wiley College711 Wiley Ave, Marshall, TX 75670
Community CollegesAddress
Alvin Community College3110 Mustang Rd, Alvin, TX 77511-4898
Angelina CollegeLufkin, TX 75902
Austin Community College District5930 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752
Blinn College902 College Ave, Brenham, TX 77833
Brazosport College500 College Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Brookhaven College3939 Valley View Ln, Dallas, TX 75244-4997
Cedar Valley College3030 N Dallas Ave, Lanchaster, TX 75134-3799
College of the Mainland1200 Amburn Rd, Texas City, TX 77591
Del Mar College101 Baldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Eastfield College3737 Motley Dr, Mesquite, TX 75150-2099
El Centro College801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202-3604
El Paso Community College DistrictEl Paso, TX 79998
Galveston College4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550
Hill College112 Lamar Dr, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Houston Community College System- Central College1300 Holman, Houston, TX 77004
Houston Community College System-NortheastHouston, TX 77266-7517
Houston Community College System-Northwest College1550 Foxlake Dr, Houston, TX 77084
Houston Community College System-Southwest5407 Gulfton St, Houston, TX 77081
Howard College1001 Birdwell La, Big Spring, TX 79720
Lee College200 Lee Dr, baytown, TX 77522-0818
Lone Star College- Cy Fair9191 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433-1383
Lone Star College- Kingwood20000 Kingwood Dr, Kingwood, TX 77339
Lone Star College- Montgomery3200 College Park Dr, Conroe, TX 77384
Lone Star College- North Harris2700 WW Thorne Dr, Houston, TX 77073
Lone Star College- Tomball30555 Tomball Pkwy, Tomball, TX 77375-4036
McLennan Community College1400 College Dr, Waco, TX 76708
Midland College3600 N Garfield, Midland, TX 79705
Mountain View College4849 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75211-6599
Navarro College3200 W 7th Ave, Corsicana, TX 75110
North Central Texas College1525 W California St, Gainesville, TX 76240
North Lake College5001 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75038-3899
Northeast Texas Community CollegeMount Pleasant, TX 75456-1307
Palo Alto College1400 W Villaret Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78224-2499
Paris Junior College2400 Clarksville St, Paris, TX 75460
Richland College12800 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75243-2199
San Antonio College1300 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
South Texas College3201 W Pecan Blvd, Mc Allen, TX 78502-9701
St Philip’s College1801 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, San Antonio, TX 78203
Tarrant County College- Northeast828 Harwood Rd, Hurst, TX 76054
Tarrant County College- Northwest4801 Marine Creek Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76179
Tarrant County College- Southeast2100 Southeast Pkwy, Arlington, TX 76018-3144
Tarrant County College-South5301 Campus Dr, Fort Wroth, TX 76119
Tarrant County College-Trinity River300 Trinity Campus Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Texas State Technical College-West Texas300 Homer K Taylor Dr, Sweetwater, TX 79556
Tyler Junior College1400 E Fifth St, Tyler, TX 75711-9020
Vernon College4400 College Dr, Vernon, TX 76384-4092
Victoria College2200 E Red River, Victoria, TX 77901

Top Ranked Accounting Programs in Texas

University of Texas

Believe it or not, Texas is home to the number one ranked accounting program in the US according to Public Accounting Report 32nd Annual Professors Survey.

The University of Texas at Austin ranked number one overall for the undergraduate, masters and doctoral rankings. It also ranked number one for the undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs that offer over 22 full-time accounting faculty. Texas does very well indeed when it comes to accounting programs.

Texas A&M University ranked number 7 in 2013 (up from number 10 in 2012) for the undergraduate program, number 8 for the masters, and number 10 for the doctoral program, while Texas Tech University and Texas Christian University were runners up.

The University of Texas has consistently scored well in ranking and is among the most respected schools to offer the accounting program.

Texas A&M University


The Public Accounting Report’s 2013 survey of accounting professors ranked the accounting program at Texas A&M as the 7th, 8th and 10th best in the country in the undergraduate, Master’s and doctoral categories respectively.

Ranked 37th nationwide by U.S. News, the Mays Business School at Texas A&M university is a prestigious institution where you can start your accounting career on the right foot.
You can begin your accounting education at the undergraduate level by pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. This program includes a core accounting curriculum as well as courses in auditing, fraud examination, ethics, international accounting and energy accounting. Students may also undertake accounting internships that count towards course credits, while prospective CPAs can take additional courses to fulfill CPA requirements.

Students wishing to qualify for a CPA license can also apply for the Master of Science in Accounting offered by Mays Business School. This non-thesis program combines core and elective courses with opportunities for leadership development. Students can choose between two tracks.

The Assurance Services/Information Management Track covers topics such as auditing, tax, information systems, management, business law, ethics and accounting. The Tax Consulting/Financial Planning track focuses on taxation in addition to accounting and business topics.

Alternatively, accounting students can opt for the Professional Program, a five-year integrated program that combines a BBA in Accounting with a Master of Science in a business major. This program will allow you to sit for the CPA exam as well as specialize in an area such as Taxation or Auditing.

If you are interested in an academic career, you can apply for a PhD in Accounting in order to conduct research in the field.

Through quality education and opportunities offered by internships, student organizations and career services, Texas A&M University accounting students are well placed to start a successful career in accounting.

References:

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Public_Accountant_(CPA)/Salary
https://mays.tamu.edu/acct/
https://mays.tamu.edu/department-of-accounting/
https://maysweb.tamu.edu/maysnet/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/formidable/ACCT-Curriculum-Hbk-201431.pdf
https://mays.tamu.edu/phd-accounting/
https://mays.tamu.edu/acct/ppa/
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/texas-am-university-college-station-mays-01216
https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/news/documents/PARSurvey2013-BaruchRankings.pdf

Table of Contents

  1. Tips for Choosing the Right Accounting Program
  2. How to Become an Accountant or CPA
  3. Texas State CPA Requirements
  4. Accounting Salaries in Texas
  5. Accounting Program Sneak Peek
  6. Top Ranked Accounting Programs in Texas
    1. University of Texas
    2. Texas A&M University

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