This outline of accounting schools in Maryland will provide you with information on your options for pursuing an undergraduate or graduate accounting degree or certificate in the state. Many degree programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis, and some degrees are available entirely online. Those interested in working in accounting in Maryland after graduation can learn about career outlooks and salary prospects in the state. For information about Maryland program details and school rankings, continue reading below.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Maryland Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Maryland 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
Bowie State UniversityACBSPBSBA-Accounting87.0%40%$13,886$22,985$50,806
Coppin State UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		47.9%24%$8,562$25,000$43,697
Frostburg State UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
5-Year Accelerated BSBA/MBA		86.1%49%$16,114$21,105$51,992
Hood CollegeACBSPBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		76.8%61%$23,624$25,000$54,057
Johns Hopkins UniversityAACSBMinor-Accounting and Financial Management7.5%94%$24,034$10,250$89,551
Loyola University MarylandAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		84.2%79%$33,312$27,000$81,216
McDaniel College—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		86.7%66%$23,733$25,000$57,629
Morgan State UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
PhD-Business Administration: Accounting		87.1%46%$13,956$27,250$46,092
Mount St. Mary’s UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year Accelerated BSA/MBA		81.8%65%$24,379$25,391$61,492
Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting65.1%60%$22,675$22,666$56,906
Salisbury UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		86.5%69%$19,756$21,000$57,122
Stevenson UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year Accelerated BSA/MS;
MS-Forensic Accounting		90.9%65%$27,600$26,000$60,421
Towson UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
Accounting Accelerated BS/MS;
MS-Accounting & Business Advisory Services (Joint Program with UBalt)		87.9%70%$14,443$18,718$61,376
University of BaltimoreAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting and Business Advisory Services;
Grad Cert-Accounting Fundamentals		89.4%33%$18,122$23,250$58,875
University of Maryland Eastern ShoreAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		81.9%37%$12,020$27,000$43,696
University of Maryland Global CampusIACBEBS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting & Financial Management;
MS-CyberAccounting;
Master’s Specialization-Management: Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting Information Security		N.Av.19%$16,957$21,000$59,823
University of Maryland-College ParkAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
4+1 BSBA/MSA;
MS-Accounting		52.0%89%$16,210$19,000$76,997
Washington Adventist University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		61.8%50%$17,088$30,500$58,399

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 Maryland

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 Maryland-College Park (#22)
  • University of Maryland Global Campus (#73)
  • Loyola University Maryland (#80)
  • Towson University (#109)
  • McDaniel College (#233)2

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

  • Stevenson University (#91 tie)5

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

  • Loyola University Maryland (#50 tie)
  • University of Maryland-College Park (#50 tie)6

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 Maryland 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 Maryland being 54.5%:

  1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County 70.6%
  2. University of Maryland, College Park 65.3%
  3. Salisbury University 61.1%
  4. Towson University 52.5%
  5. Loyola University Maryland 50.4%

*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 Maryland with Accounting Degrees

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

Morgan State University

At Morgan State University (MSU), students can earn an AACSB-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Accounting. This program consists of a minimum of 30 semester credits for students and is ideal for students seeking employment in the public accounting field. Students will also be qualified to pursue employment with investment banks and in corporate financial management. MS in Accounting courses are divided into four categories: Business Exposure Requirements, Accounting Exposure Requirements (undergraduate and graduate), Core Requirements, and Professional Track Requirements. The MS in Accounting meets the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Students interested in a research or teaching accounting career can also earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting at MSU.

University of Maryland, College Park

The Smith School of Business at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland (UMD) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting degree. Students can finish this AACSB-accredited program in two or three semesters, and undergraduates already at UMD can pursue a joint, accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree. The program is generally designed for full-time students, with the majority of courses offered during the day, but some classes are offered in the evening. The curriculum covers topics including internal auditing, forensic auditing, managerial accounting, management planning, valuation, and federal, state, and local tax planning and compliance. Students can choose between specializations in Tax Analytics, Audit Analytics, or Public Accounting. The Smith School of Business has an extensive alumni and professional network, and graduates can take advantage of industry connections in pursuing job opportunities.

Online Accounting Programs

University of Baltimore

Students at the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore (UBalt) can earn an AACSB-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Accounting and Business Advisory Services. The MS in Accounting and Business Advisory Services consists of 30 semester credits and can be completed in 18 months for those with an undergraduate degree in a related field. UBalt’s MS in Accounting and Business Advisory Services offers both a general accounting track and two specializations: Data Analytics and Nonprofit Financial Management. All three tracks can be completed on campus, in a hybrid format, or completely online. The MS in Accounting and Business Advisory Services also fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination.

University of Maryland Global Campus

Through the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting and Financial Management degree entirely online. The IACBE-accredited program is ideal for accountants, financial managers, and other mid-career professionals interested in leadership roles in their industry. The curriculum consists of 36 semester credits and focuses on relevant experiential learning, and students study case studies, analyze current data sets, and complete projects for real companies. Through coursework and projects, students learn how to analyze financial statements and make strategic management decisions in the short and long term. The curriculum is designed with the input of industry leaders and employers to ensure the coursework is relevant to the accounting field. This degree prepares students for accounting certifications like the CPA designation and professional certifications in auditing, financial management, fraud, and tax preparation.

Maryland CPA Requirements and Steps

The Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (the Board) requires CPA candidates to complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and 150 semester hours. There are six main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in Maryland.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level coursework in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Complete the professional ethics course and exam.
  4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  5. Apply for a license.
  6. Receive a license.

1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level coursework in accounting.

CPA candidates in Maryland must complete 150 semester hours of college education including a bachelor’s degree to qualify for a license, although candidates may sit for the Uniform CPA Exam once 120 undergraduate semester hours and the award of a bachelor’s degree have been completed. The required accounting courses within the 150 semester hours must include three semester hours in ethics courses, 30 undergraduate-level semester hours in accounting (Group I) subjects. Group I coursework must include three semester hours in auditing, cost or managerial accounting, and US federal income tax and ethics; and at least nine semester hours each in financial accounting and accounting electives. In addition, students must complete at least 21 semester hours in undergraduate business (Group II) subjects, which must include at least five of the following areas:

  • Statistics
  • Corporation or Business Finance
  • Management
  • US Business Law
  • Marketing
  • Economics
  • Business Communication
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Computer Science/Information Systems

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

Maryland CPA applicants must earn at least one year (2,000 hours) of professional accounting experience in government, industry, academia, or public practice in order to qualify for a license. The experience must utilize practical skills in accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting. The experience must be obtained in not less than one year and not more than three years and must be supervised by a licensed CPA. Once the experience is attained, the supervising CPA must submit the completed Report of Professional Experience to the Board. This will serve as the application for licensure.

3. Complete the professional ethics course and exam.

Maryland requires prospective CPAs to earn a passing score of 90% on the Professional Ethics: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Comprehensive Course self-study course and exam. Candidates can order the course directly from the AICPA website. Once passed, the documentation must be physically mailed to the Board.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Candidates who have completed at least 120 hours of education and a bachelor’s degree may apply to take the AICPA Uniform CPA Exam. The Board uses an online portal for all CPA exam and license applications, which is accessible through the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (MDLLR) web portal. Once the application has been reviewed, candidates will receive a Notice to Schedule that allows the applicant to schedule and sit for the Uniform CPA Exam through NASBA. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a score of 75 or better within a rolling 18-month period.

5. Apply for a License.

Once the above qualifications have been met and the documentation has been submitted to the Board, the Report of Practical Experience document acts as the license application. If a candidate applied for the Uniform CPA Exam before completing the 150-semester hour requirement, the remaining hours must be submitted through the Board’s web portal.

6. Receive a License.

Once documentation has been submitted to the Board, the licensing process will usually take about 30 days to complete. Upon approval, the applicant will receive an email with a license number and information on paying the license fee. Once the license number is received and the fee is paid, the applicant may practice as a CPA in Maryland. An email will be sent to the CPA with a downloadable wallet card. The CPA will receive a decorative wall certificate from the Board within 30 to 45 days.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

A Maryland CPA license requires renewal every two years. CPAs must complete at least 80 hours of continuing education (CE) in any of 23 areas listed on the Board’s website during each two-year renewal period. At least four of these hours must be in professional ethics. Up to 80 hours of CE may be carried forward into the next renewal period. Ethics education may only carry over as regular CE. CPAs who perform audit or compilation services must undergo a process of peer review every three years.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Maryland

Maryland offers many different career opportunities to graduates with accounting degrees. The DC metropolitan area provides many positions in federal auditing, public accounting, and tax preparation. Large accounting firms based in the DC area include Reznick Fedder & Silverman and RSM. These firms focus primarily on tax planning, federal procurement, consulting, and management of information systems. In the greater Baltimore area, CPA firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and Deloitte offer additional employment opportunities. For those who prefer smaller office environments, Squire, Lemkin and Company (SL+Co), as well as medium-sized firms based throughout the state, consistently have opportunities for graduates. Small businesses and not-for-profit groups may also offer promising opportunities for recently certified accountants.

Maryland Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson12,460$87,780
California-Lexington Park260$86,840
Salisbury MD-DE1,230$73,340
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV43,670$101,870

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Maryland

  • Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (Baker Tilly): A nationwide firm with offices in Baltimore, Baker Tilly offers advisory, tax, and assurance services across a variety of industries.
  • The Reznick Group: With five major divisions of practice, the Reznick Group is a nationwide advisory, assurance, and tax firm headquartered in Bethesda.
  • FORVIS: Over 2,000 professionals work for FORVIS, which maintains offices across the country, including in Baltimore and Gaithersburg.

Maryland Accounting Associations

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, Maryland: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_md.htm
13. Maryland Board of Public Accountancy: https://labor.maryland.gov/license/cpa/