This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of accounting degree programs in the state of Kentucky. Kentucky offers students a variety of options when pursuing their educational and career goals, both through online coursework or in a traditional classroom environment. Business novices and experienced professionals alike should find a program that meets their needs. Students can focus on areas of interest like information systems, taxation, and forensic accounting, or study general accounting. Programs throughout the state are also designed to prepare students for a variety of licenses, including Certified Public Accounting (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

Table of Contents

Comparison of Kentucky Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Kentucky to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolAccreditationAccounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate10Grad Rate1Avg Net Price1Median Debt*10Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10
Alice Lloyd College—BA-Accounting and Business Management;
Minor-Accounting		35.8%40%$16,596$19,599$38,478
Asbury University—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		77.4%70%$21,506$24,028$42,628
Bellarmine University—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Dual BA-Accounting/MBA;
Grad Cert-Professional Accounting		85.5%60%$22,813$25,000$56,346
Berea College—BSBA-Accounting33.0%62%$2,020$3,591$40,738
Brescia University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		53.1%43%$16,127$29,430$39,343
Campbellsville UniversityIACBEMinor-AccountingN.Av.41%$20,987$17,156$39,948
Eastern Kentucky University—BBA-Managerial Accounting;
BBA-Public Accounting;
3+2 BBA/MBA;
MBA-Accounting		98.4%49%$10,806$22,500$42,134
Georgetown College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		74.5%46%$15,152$25,200$50,486
Kentucky State UniversityACBSPBA-Business Administration: Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		65.2%32%$11,473$25,938$36,807
Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		67.2%48%$20,735$23,250$44,736
Lindsey Wilson CollegeIACBEBABA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		N.Av.37%$13,056$16,784$35,895
Midway University—BS-Accounting77.7%43%$22,848$21,301$42,360
Morehead State University—BBA-Accounting89.8%47%$10,991$22,250$40,010
Murray State University—BAB-/BSB-Accounting;
BAB-/BSB-Accounting: Finance;
BAB-/BSB-Accounting: Financial Planning;
BAB-/BSB-Accounting: Information Systems;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		85.2%58%$11,042$20,500$43,077
Northern Kentucky University—BSBA-Accounting;
MAcc-Accounting Practice & Reporting Track (APRT);
MAcc-Data Analytics/Data Visualization;
MAcc-Expedited;
MAcc-Professional		80.3%50%$7,259$23,000$46,832
Spalding UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting (Second Degree Track);
MSBC-Accounting		89.8%45%$26,539$25,250$48,144
Thomas More UniversityACBSPBAcc;
Minor-Accounting		96.4%44%$21,962$26,236$59,294
Transylvania University—BA-Accounting92.0%69%$25,767$27,000$54,373
Union College—BAB-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Managerial Accounting		56.4%33%$18,221$24,250$39,874
University of KentuckyAACSBBSA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
PhD-Business Administration: Accounting		94.0%69%$18,693$22,500$55,890
University of LouisvilleAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accountancy and Analytics		74.7%62%$19,327$20,500$51,380
University of the CumberlandsIACBEBBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		85.0%44%$14,337$14,911$41,038
Western Kentucky UniversityAACSBBSA;
Joint BS-Accounting/MADA;
Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MADA)		98.5%51%$12,625$22,095$41,091

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 Kentucky

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

  • University of Kentucky (#114)
  • University of Louisville (#213)2

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

  • University of Louisville (#20 tie)
  • Western Kentucky University (#44 tie)
  • Morehead State University (#66 tie)
  • Eastern Kentucky University (#79 tie)
  • Asbury University (#98 tie)
  • Lindsey Wilson College (#141 tie)
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College (#170-214)
  • Brescia University (#170-214)
  • Midway University (#170-214)5

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky being 59.8%:

  1. Asbury University 76.5%
  2. Berea College 72.7%
  3. Bellarmine University 67.9%
  4. Western Kentucky University 66.1%

*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 Kentucky with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Kentucky, 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.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Northern Kentucky University

The College of Business at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc). This program trains students to analyze and interpret financial information to empower them to make sound business decisions. The MAcc program at NKU offers several tracks, both for accounting degree holders and those looking to switch to an accounting career from an unrelated field. The Accounting Practice and Reporting track (APRT) is a 36-credit-hour degree designed for those without an accounting degree to prepare for CPA licensure and enter the business world. The Professional track is a 30-credit hour program that requires an accounting undergraduate degree. This track includes 24 hours of required courses and six hours of electives. The Data Analytics/Data Visualization track is also 30 credits, and is for those interested in a technology-based accounting career. This track includes 21 required credit hours and nine hours of data analytics courses. While the APRT program is only available on-campus, both the Professional Data Analytics and Data Visualization tracks are available online.

University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky (UK) offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy designed to prepare students for a career in business and CPA licensure. This 30-credit program can be completed in 10 to 14 months and provides an advanced understanding of taxation, financial statements, and information systems. Courses like Not for Profit Accounting, Research in Accounting Theory, and Attest Functions lay a strong foundation for graduates as they enter a fast-paced business world. The curriculum is designed to qualify students to sit for the CPA exam, which they can take while enrolled in the program. Students are also given the opportunity to integrate the Becker CPA review coursework into their program path.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

University of Louisville

The University of Louisville (UofL) College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accountancy. This AACSB-accredited program gives students the opportunity to take all courses online, offering a flexible alternative to a traditional classroom experience. UofL’s accounting program prepares graduates for careers in business and future graduate coursework. The online BSBA in Accountancy gives students a comprehensive understanding of taxation and auditing practices, as well as governmental and non-profit applications. An online Undergraduate Certificate in Franchise Management is also available to those enrolled in the BSBA Accountancy program.

Western Kentucky University

At Western Kentucky University (WKU), students may earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that prepares them for a wide variety of business and financial careers. Students develop skills they can use throughout their careers, including problem-solving, effective communication, and analytic thinking. The majority of the courses in this AACSB-accredited program are available online, including all of the lower level accounting and business courses and most of the required general education classes. Classes are taught by full-time faculty with professional experience and certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). There are also several study abroad opportunities designed as an introduction to international business and accounting concepts. WKU features an accounting JUMP program that allows senior accounting undergraduates to start working on their Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MADA) degree. This 3+2 program includes all coursework required for CPA licensure.

Kentucky CPA Requirements and Steps

To qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam in Kentucky, the Kentucky Board of Accountancy (the Board) requires a bachelor’s degree or higher with a concentration in accounting (meaning at least 39 credit hours of business-related subjects and 27 credit hours of accounting courses). There are five main steps to complete in order to earn a Kentucky CPA license.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education including a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a major in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Apply for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  4. Apply for a license.
  5. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education including a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a major in accounting.

The Board requires that aspiring CPAs complete 150 semester hours of college education to qualify for a license. Of these 150 semester hours, candidates must have a major in accounting completed at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. The coursework must include 27 semester hours in accounting subjects and 12 semester hours in business-related subjects.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

Prospective Kentucky CPAs must complete one year (defined as 2,000 hours in a period of not less than 12 months) of experience in accounting and/or auditing. The experience must take place after earning a bachelor’s degree and may be in public practice, industry, or government. Experience can be submitted from more than one workplace but should not include any time taken for leave or vacation. All experience must be verified by a CPA with an active license to practice.

3. Apply for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Candidates who are ready to take the AICPA Uniform CPA Exam should complete the Application for the Certified Public Accountant Examination and submit it to the Board. Once the application is approved, candidates will receive authorization to schedule and take the exam through NASBA. The exam must be taken within six months of receiving authorization to test, and all four sections of the exam must be passed with at least a score of 75 within a rolling 18-month period.

4. Apply for a license.

After receiving a passing score on the exams, candidates may complete the Application for Initial License as a Kentucky Certified Public Accountant. The application must also include the Certificate of Experience verified by a licensed CPA. The completed CPA application must be submitted within five years from the date of the successful examination.

5. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

Once approved, the Board will issue a license document indicating the individual has met the state requirements as a CPA. Applicants cannot use the professional title of CPA until they have received their license.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

CPA licenses in Kentucky are renewed online biennially and expire on the first day of August in the second year following issuance. Renewal notices are mailed to licensed CPAs in late June; however, it is the responsibility of the individual to ensure their license does not expire. Renewal requires CPAs to complete 80 hours of continuing education (CE) during the two-year period of January 1 to December 31 prior to the August expiry date. Individuals who are not employed by a firm licensed by the Board are only required to complete 60 hours of CE during this period. These requirements are prorated for individuals whose first renewal period was less than two years. You can find additional information on the Board website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Kentucky

Accounting grads in Kentucky have a wealth of career opportunities, with many accounting firms and large corporations being headquartered in the state. Mountjoy Chilton Medley (MCM), headquartered in Louisville, is one of the largest CPA firms in the region. Dean Dorton is an accounting firm with locations in Louisville and Lexington. Global accounting and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) also has offices in Lexington and Louisville. Automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare are leading industries in Kentucky and major employers for recent graduates. Regardless of the industry, business-savvy and financially educated professionals are always in demand in Kentucky.

Kentucky Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Bowling Green360$69,640
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN10,040$79,400
Lexington-Fayette1,860$72,340
Louisville/Jefferson County KY-IN5,030$77,580

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Kentucky

  • Lattimore Black Morgan and Cain, PC: A full-service CPA firm based in Louisville serving clients from corporate, individual, non-profit, and public organizations.
  • Kemper CPA Group, LLC: An accounting and business solutions firm, Kemper CPA Group has offices in Henderson, Morganfield, and Paducah, Kentucky.

Kentucky Accounting Associations

  • Kentucky Board of Accountancy: The state agency responsible for overseeing the licensing and license renewal process for CPAs in Kentucky.
  • Kentucky Society of CPAs: A non-profit professional organization offering networking and professional development to CPAs across the state.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Kentucky: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ky.htm
13. Kentucky Board of Accountancy: https://cpa.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx