There are numerous colleges and universities in Wisconsin offering degree and certificate programs for aspiring accountants. The following overview of accounting schools in Wisconsin will help you understand and compare your options for taking the next step in your accounting career. As an alternative to traditional on-campus programs, you may find that online accounting schools are the right choice. Many students find that online accounting schools offer greater flexibility and opportunities for learning independently. Continue reading below to learn more about accounting school options in Wisconsin, top programs in the state, certified public accountant requirements, and career opportunities for graduates.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Wisconsin Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Wisconsin 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
Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa—BBA-AccountingN.Av.16%$14,753$21,549$30,181
Carroll University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		70.5%67%$25,485$27,000$52,782
Carthage College—BS-Accounting;
BA-Accounting		75.7%65%$26,209$26,000$56,427
Concordia University-WisconsinIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-MBA in Accounting		68.6%66%$24,485$25,750$51,567
Edgewood CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
BSBA-Accounting;
Accelerated Returning Adult BBA-Accounting;
MS-Accountancy;
MBA/MSA Dual Degree;
Grad Cert-Accounting		95.5%62%$28,189$24,424$55,742
Lakeland University—BA-Accounting80.1%52%$21,611$25,000$52,878
Maranatha Baptist University—BSBA-Accounting80.3%56%$22,858$14,143$45,876
Marian University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		76.3%51%$25,394$25,000$53,441
Marquette UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
4+1 Accelerated BSA/MSA;
MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting Analytics		86.3%83%$33,136$23,940$76,417
Mount Mary University—BS-Accounting62.4%60%$22,897$25,288$47,959
Ottawa University-Milwaukee—BA-Accounting;
MAcc;
Dual MBA/MAcc		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$21,500$48,846
Saint Norbert College—BBA-Accounting85.2%72%$26,983$26,731$54,223
University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		77.5%65%$15,000$20,909$55,619
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		91.4%52%$11,365$18,500$49,099
University of Wisconsin-La CrosseAACSBBS-Accountancy;
Minor-Accountancy		73.9%70%$13,130$22,500$57,125
University of Wisconsin-MadisonAACSBBBA-Accounting;
MAcc;
MS-Accounting and Business Analysis;
PhD-Accounting		60.4%89%$13,376$20,484$70,586
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Accelerated BBA/MS-Information Technology Management;
MS-Management: Accounting;
MS-Management: Professional Accounting		89.0%48%$16,551$23,000$53,169
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshAACSBBS-Accounting89.9%58%$12,827$21,500$51,418
University of Wisconsin-ParksideAACSBBS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		75.0%40%$8,510$20,492$45,774
University of Wisconsin-Platteville—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		87.6%61%$15,595$21,977$55,720
University of Wisconsin-River FallsAACSBBS-Accounting86.2%59%$13,427$20,500$50,940
University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointAACSBBS-Accounting90.2%56%$13,702$21,503$48,872
University of Wisconsin-Superior—BS-Accounting76.2%40%$12,908$22,500$45,677
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 Accelerated BBA/MBA;
MBA-Accounting		83.0%62%$13,322$23,188$52,316
Viterbo UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 Accelerated BBA/MBA		77.5%61%$23,257$25,000$52,502
Wisconsin Lutheran College—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		98.0%67%$22,682$26,000$51,291

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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin-Madison (#17)
  • Marquette University (#59)
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (#131)
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (#160)
  • University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (#170)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Marquette University3

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (#26 tie)
  • Marquette University (#44 tie)4

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

  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (#24 tie)
  • Maranatha Baptist University (#170-214)5

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

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (#17 tie)
  • Marquette University (#32 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin being 69.5%:

  1. University of Wisconsin-Madison 81.8%
  2. Marquette University 73.9%
  3. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 72.0%
  4. Carthage College 70.7%
  5. Carroll University 69.2%
  6. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 63.3%
  7. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 63.0%

*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 Wisconsin with Accounting Degrees

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

Edgewood College

Two ACBSP-accredited graduate-level accounting programs are offered at Edgewood College in Madison through on-campus and online methods. The Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy can be completed in one year of full-time study or two to three years of part-time study, and new students are admitted in the fall, spring, and summer terms. The program has many prerequisite courses that are likely to be met through the prior completion of an undergraduate degree in business or accounting; otherwise, students must complete this coursework before beginning the program. The MS in Accountancy prepares students for both public and management accounting career paths through courses in advanced accounting and strategic management. Students can also enroll in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting. The MBA in Accounting is available on-campus or online, and can be completed in as little as 10 months for students with a business-related bachelor’s degree. Employment resources for graduates of both programs are available to students through internship placements, on-campus recruiting events, and career advising from experienced mentors and career counselors.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) offers several AACSB-accredited accounting degrees. The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree is designed to prepare graduates for various careers as CPAs. Students with a bachelor’s degree in business or a related major can complete the MAcc in as little as one year and 33 credits, while non-business major candidates can complete the program in two years and 54 credits. UW-Madison also offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting and Business Analysis, which can also be completed in as little as a year. This program has a more technical approach to accounting and prepares students for careers in accounting, assurance, and advisory (AAA) or tax. Both options provide professional networking opportunities and encourage students to connect with alumni for mentorship.

Online Accounting Programs

Concordia University Wisconsin

All of the accounting programs at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) campus can be completed 100% online. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting offered through CUW is one of the school’s many MBA specializations that can be completed either fully online or through a hybrid format with on-campus classes in Wisconsin, Michigan, or Missouri. The program content covers a broad range of topics related to business administration including advanced accounting skills needed to successfully sit for the CPA exam. The online format offers great flexibility as students can enroll in the program at any time and begin taking courses right away. The program culminates with a capstone project enabling students to demonstrate their mastery of the program content. Those students whose primary focus is CPA certification may wish to consider the online Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy, which consists of 30 credits and can be completed in as little as a year.

Lakeland University

Lakeland University (LU) offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting that can be completed on campus, through a hybrid evening/online format, or completely online. In this undergraduate program, students study accounting basics and complementary areas such as economics, business, and management information systems. The accounting degree also offers many areas of emphasis to specialize further, such as Fraud and Forensics; Finance and Insurance; and Tax Accounting. LU uses a teaching format called BlendEd that allows students to attend classes at one of the seven campuses in Wisconsin or participate online from week-to-week as their schedules and commitments allow. Students who choose to participate in online study the same material as their on-campus peers and must stay up-to-date with the same assignments and readings. Accelerated online classes are also offered for certain topics.

Mount Mary University

Those interested in certified public accounting may find the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting at Mount Mary University (MMU) to be a good option. MMU is a private, Catholic women’s institution located in Milwaukee that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting in both on-campus and online formats. The BS degree program requires students to complete a foundational liberal arts core curriculum and 82 credits of accounting classes. The program is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the CPA exam and to become certified upon completion of additional graduate-level study. Students are encouraged to complete internships with local companies to gain hands-on experience. The university also offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in Accounting and an MBA, both with on-campus and online course options.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The College of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting that can be completed in combination with the MBA with an accounting concentration to meet the educational CPA exam and certification requirements. On its own, the BBA takes four years to complete and has a sequenced curriculum to ensure students complete all necessary prerequisites in order. Internships in the third and fourth years of the program are highly encouraged. Both the BBA in Accounting and MBA in Accounting are available through UW-Whitewater online, allowing students flexibility to complete the degrees on-campus, in a hybrid format, or 100% online.

Wisconsin CPA Requirements and Steps

Wisconsin’s Accounting Examining Board within the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) oversees CPA certification. There are six main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in Wisconsin.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level coursework in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Complete the Wisconsin Online Ethics 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.

The Board has adopted the 150-hour rule for prospective CPA licensees, which requires that candidates complete 150 semester hours of education to qualify for a license. The education must include the award of at least a bachelor’s degree and a concentration in accounting or equivalent coursework. To qualify as a concentration in accounting, the program must consist of 24 undergraduate-level or 15 graduate-level semester hours of accounting coursework, including financial accounting, cost or managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, and accounting information systems. In addition, the concentration in accounting must also include 24 undergraduate-level semester hours or 15 graduate-level semester hours of business coursework in non-accounting topics including economics, finance, statistics or data analysis, business law, and information technology.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

One year of accounting experience or its equivalent is required to qualify for CPA licensure in Wisconsin. The experience must have been earned after completing 120 semester hours of education and an accounting concentration. The experience must include services or advice in accounting, attest, compilation, management advising, financial advising, or any related consulting and be verified by the candidate’s employer. Experience earned in industry, government, public practice, or advanced and specialized teaching in academia typically satisfies Board requirements. Part-time work may qualify, but full-time work is given preference.

3. Complete the Wisconsin Online Ethics Exam.

A candidate for CPA licensure must pass an ethics exam specific to the rules and statutes of the state of Wisconsin. Candidates may access the exam and review the materials covered by the exam through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WDSPS). Candidates must pass the exam with a score of 80% or greater. Candidates who fail the exam must wait 30 days to retake the exam. Candidates who fail a second time must wait 90 days.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Candidates who have completed 120 semester hours of college-level education and a concentration in accounting may apply to take the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Uniform CPA Exam. Like most states, the Board uses the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to administer the application and testing process. Candidates who are ready to test may apply through the NASBA website. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a score of 75 or higher within a rolling 18-month period.

5. Apply for a license.

Once all licensing requirements have been met, prospective CPAs may submit an application for a license and all relevant fees to the Board. The candidate must submit forms verifying the completion of all licensure requirements with their application, including the Verification of Employment and Experience Evaluation Form and the Experience Record Form. All necessary documents are available on the Board’s website.

6. Receive a license.

Once the Board receives the application and fees, they will send an application ID number by email. Using that number, applicants may track the progress of their application through the Board’s web portal. It will take about three weeks for the application to process, at which point successful applicants will be able to find their license number and downloadable files for a wallet card and a wall certificate on the Board’s website.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

The license renewal date for CPAs in Wisconsin is December 14 of every odd-numbered year. CPAs are required to complete 80 hours of continuing education (CE) for every renewal period, with at least 20 hours of CE completed during each 12-month period. The CE must include at least 40 hours of formal learning activities and three hours of CE related to ethics.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Wisconsin

Accounting graduates may find a variety of job opportunities in Wisconsin as this state is home to numerous corporate headquarters, such as American Family Insurance, Johnsonville Foods, and Kohl’s. These corporate offices employ individuals with the business, financial, and accounting skills needed to coordinate and operate national and international businesses. Many more small- and medium-sized companies regularly recruit accounting program graduates to fill long-term positions for both entry-level and senior roles. Alternatively, accounting grads may find work in the non-profit or public sectors where financial acumen is also needed to ensure accurate records, budgets, and strategic planning processes. CPA and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) holders have the added option of working as public accountants in diverse sectors.

Wisconsin Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Duluth MN-WI930$75,680
Green Bay1,480$74,540
Madison4,340$77,530
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI21,520$86,550

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Wisconsin

  • SVA Professional Services: With branches in Milwaukee and Appleton, SVA is made up of three branches, SVA CPAs, SVA Consulting, and SVA Financial Group.
  • RitzHolman CPAs: Based in Milwaukee, Ritz Holman is a member of AICPA that offers accounting, tax, and financial services to businesses, individuals, and nonprofits.
  • Baker Tilly: One of the largest accounting firms in the US, Baker Tilly has offices nationwide, five of which are in Wisconsin; the firm offers a wide array of services across a variety of industries, including family business, private equity, and not-for-profits.

Wisconsin 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, Wisconsin: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm
13. Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Accountant/Default.aspx