Top master's in accounting programs in California

Accounting master’s graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $61,865 3 years after graduation, placing them in the bottom 50% nationally.

Our accounting graduate rankings cover 12 of the 23 programs available in California, accounting for 55% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or debt data.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

For more information visit our guide to accounting. Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

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23 Results (Showing 20 of 23)

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Ranking methodology
#1 in California | #7 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.16

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $87,984

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,280

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in California | #101 in Accounting nationally

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Economic score 0.26

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $67,899

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $19,528

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in California | #151 in Accounting nationally

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

Economic score 0.32

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $78,899

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $31,815

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in California | #152 in Accounting nationally

Biola University

La Mirada, California

Economic score 0.32

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $63,404

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in California | #165 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.33

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $87,697

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in California | #175 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.35

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $63,005

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,343

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in California | #178 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.35

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $60,094

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in California | #210 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.41

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $78,548

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in California | #216 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.42

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $54,714

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,176

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in California | #260 in Accounting nationally

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

Economic score 0.56

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $56,816

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $27,334

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in California | #277 in Accounting nationally
Economic score 0.71

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $66,990

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $51,021

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in California | #292 in Accounting nationally

Ashford University

San Diego, California

Economic score 1.40

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $44,074

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.0

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $44,166

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

Economic score N/A

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $68,778

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings N/A

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt N/A

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

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How long does it take to pay down debt in accounting in California?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in accounting is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in accounting earn in California?

Salary

$61,865

The median master's degree in accounting graduate earns $61,865 3 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in accounting cost in California?

Net cost

$18,508

The average annual cost of a master's degree in accounting is $18,508. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

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