Accounting Schools in Louisiana

This guide provides important information on accounting schools in the state of Louisiana. This page will help you navigate different schools to find the program that matches your education and career goals. Louisiana provides students with options for undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in accounting. In this comprehensive guide, you will find information on specializations and course offerings to ensure you find a school to match your personal interests and career goals. Some Louisiana accounting schools also provide options for online distance learning.

Quick Facts

• 27 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Louisiana.¹
• 9 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 5 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 20 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 7 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 1 school ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• No programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 4 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 6 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 7 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• 1 school has an accounting program accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Louisiana Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Louisiana to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see the tables on our Louisiana business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Louisiana

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

• Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (#145)²

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

• Loyola University New Orleans (#58 tie)
• University of Louisiana-Lafayette (#66 tie)
• University of Louisiana-Monroe (#91 tie)
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana (#141 tie)⁵

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.¹¹ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Louisiana in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Louisiana average pass rate for state being 53.8%:

1. Tulane University 84.1%
2. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College 71.6%
3. Nicholls State University 53.6%
4. University of Louisiana Lafayette 49.4%
5. Louisiana State University Shreveport 45.5%
6. University of Louisiana Monroe 45.2%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Louisiana with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Louisiana, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that provides students with business fundamentals and advanced accounting knowledge. In this program, students gain a comprehensive understanding of business administration before moving on to advanced accounting courses. Students explore business law, economics, and business communications to ensure a well-rounded education. Accounting courses at Louisiana Tech emphasize technical skills and analytical reasoning. Students can expect to take classes such as Managerial Cost Accounting, Auditing, and Income Tax. Louisiana Tech also offers a Concurrent BS in Accounting/Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that prepares students for CPA licensure and can be completed in five years. Students must have at least a 3.2 GPA and less than 30 hours of coursework remaining in their bachelor’s program to be eligible.

Nicholls State University

At Nicholls State University (NSU) in Thibodaux, students can earn an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. This student-focused program provides the opportunity for students to work closely with faculty to gain a thorough understanding of business and accounting concepts. Students who complete this 120-hour accounting degree are qualified to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exams. Additional coursework in specific accounting and business areas must be completed before students can sit for the CPA exam. Management skills and decision making are emphasized early on in the program, providing students with the training needed to enter the public, private, governmental, or not-for-profit sectors.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. This 125-credit program provides students with the specialized training needed for a successful accounting career and training in other business areas. Students will take courses in marketing, business law, and statistics before moving on to specialized accounting classes. Managerial Cost Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, and Governmental and Not-for-profit Accounting are all courses available for accounting majors. Emphasis is also placed on accounting internships for students to gain real-world experience prior to entering the job market. Students interested in CPA licensure can also earn an AACSB-accredited online Master of Science (MS) in Accounting through UL Lafayette.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) offers a 30-credit Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that can be completed in as little as one year. This program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting who wish to complete the 150 credits required for CPA licensure in Louisiana. By focusing on building technical accounting knowledge and strong analytical skills, LSU prepares graduates to pursue a career in professional accounting in the public, private, or non-profit sectors. Students may choose to complete a general MAcc or specialize in Internal Audit; Financial Reporting and Assurance Services; or Taxation Services. Those interested in a research-based career in accounting can earn their Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting through LSU.

Tulane University

At the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, students can earn a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that utilizes an industry-inspired curriculum to prepare graduates for careers as financial analysts or consultants. The 30-credit program emphasizes experiential learning and internships for students to gain hands-on knowledge and expertise before entering the job market. Case studies and group projects give students the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Tulane offers a two-semester and three-semester graduation plan, with the three-semester schedule allowing time for a summer internship. Students explore business ethics, auditing, and financial accounting as the core curriculum. Electives offered at Tulane allow students to explore courses such as Forensic Accounting and Energy Accounting and Valuation. Paired with an appropriate undergraduate degree, such as Tulane’s 120-credit Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management, the MAcc qualifies students to sit for the CPA exam.

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Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Louisiana State University Alexandria

The E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University Alexandria (LSUA) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that prepares students to sit for the CPA exam by teaching them the accounting skills and technologies necessary for entry into the industry. The ACBSP-accredited BS in Accounting can be taken on-campus, in a hybrid format, or entirely online. Students gain experience working in a team environment to solve complex financial problems, preparing them for careers in a collaborative business world. Research skills and effective oral and written communication are also emphasized. This 120-hour program gives students a comprehensive overview through courses such as Cost Auditing; Tax Accounting; and Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting. Students work closely with faculty members who are active participants in the accounting field, giving them an insight into the current trends in the industry.

University of New Orleans

At the University of New Orleans (UNO), students can earn an AACSB-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Tax Accounting that can be taken either on-campus or entirely online. The 30-credit program focuses on managerial accounting and accounting theory and can be completed in as few as 12 months. In addition to preparing students for careers as tax specialists, fraud examiners, or tax directors, the MS in Tax Accounting meets the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Core courses include Estate and Gift Taxation; Studies in Managerial Accounting; and State and Local Taxation. Electives such as Hospitality and Tourism Finance and Revenue Management round out the degree sequence.

Louisiana CPA Requirements

To become a CPA through State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana (the Board), an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and a total of 150 hours of coursework are required. A bachelor’s degree or higher with 24 hours of business courses and 24 hours of specific accounting courses is required to sit for the CPA exam. A minimum score of 75 is required for all four sections of the Uniform CPA exam and you must pass all four sections within 18 months. Students must have one year of relevant work experience under a licensed CPA, as well as personal references to prove good moral character.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Louisiana

Louisiana accounting graduates are equipped to work in public and private accounting, for government entities, or to begin their own accounting practices within one of the state’s metropolitan areas. The energy industry is a major economic power in Louisiana, providing many jobs for financially-minded graduates. Entergy Corporation and Tidewater Inc. are multi-billion dollar energy companies headquartered in New Orleans. Major financial institutions are also headquartered in the state, including the Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company. While New Orleans is a major business hub, there are opportunities elsewhere in the state. Recent graduates who obtain CPA licensure are able to open individual practices or work for the government or other local entities.

Louisiana Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area