Are you looking to launch an accounting career in California? With the largest state population in the U.S., California has a thriving, diversified economy that some of the world's best-known companies call home.
The state offers accounting students many learning options. You can study at any level, from foundational associate degree programs to research-oriented doctorates.
This guide to the best accounting schools in California offers an in-depth profile of programs in the Golden State. Explore key data points, identify learning pathways that match your goals, and connect with California's top accounting degrees.
Popular Online Accounting Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Accounting Schools in California
| Population | 39,237,836 |
|---|---|
| Climate | Average Annual Temperature: 59.4℉Annual Precipitation: 22.2 inches |
| Major Sports Teams | Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Padres |
| Number of Higher Learning Institutions | 403 |
| Per Capita Income | $47,977 |
| Fortune 500 Companies | 53 |
| Accountants in California | 166,020 |
Why Go to College for Accounting in California?
California is home to more degree-granting schools than any other state, giving you an excellent diversity of education options. Many of the best accounting schools in California offer programs in face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats, creating even more choice and flexibility.
Importantly, California has recently taken action to modernize its certified public accountant (CPA) licensing process. Like many other states, California has grappled with an accounting professional shortage. In 2024, the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) proposed two innovative ways to address the state's accountant shortfall.
The first proposal relaxes CPA mobility guidelines to make it easy for licensed out-of-state professionals to relocate to California. The second explores a new path to CPA licensure that would open the profession to candidates with 120 semester credits instead of the usual 150.
These developments mean California could follow Ohio's lead in becoming one of the first states to create more accessible CPA licensure pathways. If state lawmakers adopt the CBA's suggestions, you could end up with a fast track to a stable, secure, and high-paying California accounting career.
Education Statistics for California
In addition to hosting many accredited degree-granting institutions, California also spends higher-than-average amounts on education both cumulatively and per student. These characteristics have contributed to an educated workforce, as California exceeds national averages for the percentage of residents with bachelor's and graduate or professional degrees.
Ten percent of all four-year U.S. colleges are located in California, and the Golden State hosts more than 12% of the country's two-year institutions. Given these numbers, the best accounting schools in California may also rank among the best in the nation.
| Higher Education Statistics | California Data | National Data |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Year Colleges | 250 | 2,488 |
| Two-Year Colleges | 153 | 1,234 |
| Students Enrolled in Distance Education | 55.6% | 53.2% |
| Postsecondary Education Appropriations per Full-Time Student | $11,801 | $11,040 |
| Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | $14,518 | $18,301 |
| Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor's Degree | 22.4% | 21.3% |
| Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree | 14.1% | 13.7% |
Accreditation for California Schools
During the era of regional accreditation, California schools were usually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
ACCJC and WSCUC continue to accredit most of California's degree-granting institutions. However, any other accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) can also endorse California schools.
In addition to confirming a school's accreditation standing with CHEA, you can look for optional programmatic accreditations from organizations like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs. Accredited programs must meet strict academic quality standards.
Delivery Formats for an Accounting Degree in California
Many students consider delivery formats when researching available programs. Methods cover three main options:
Traditional face-to-face, campus-based learning
Online instruction
Hybrid programs that blend on-campus and online learning
In California, learners engage with distance education at higher-than-average rates. The best accounting schools in California also routinely accommodate students seeking to learn partially or entirely online.
The following subsections explain format options in further detail.
On-Campus Programs
Campus-based programs involve live in-class sessions that follow regular weekly schedules. They make a good match for those seeking to engage with the social side of college and students who feel more comfortable with interactive face-to-face learning.
You can also network more readily with peers, faculty, and prospective employers during on-campus recruitment events.
Online Programs
Online programs engage students over the internet to deliver lectures, lessons, seminars, and other learning modules. They typically use the following course delivery models:
Asynchronous: Asynchronous classes use pre-recorded instructional sessions, allowing you to attend class virtually whenever you like.
Synchronous: Synchronous classes follow set schedules and occur in real time, just like live lectures.
If you want to maximize your scheduling flexibility and learn well independently, online accounting programs might be a good match.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs can offer the best of both worlds by blending the flexibility and convenience of online learning with the social and networking advantages of campus-based attendance. Many of the best accounting schools in California let you balance online and face-to-face components.
Paying for Your Accounting Degree
College is expensive in California — especially for out-of-state students and enrollees at private institutions. If you need help meeting your schooling costs, begin by seeking non-repayable sources of funding like scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
Next, consider federal loans if you need additional funding. Use private loans as a last resort, since their repayment terms tend to offer less flexibility.
The California Student Aid Commission can connect you with a complete lineup of state-specific education funding programs. You can also use these links to learn more about financial aid and accounting scholarships:
In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition
Thanks to tax contributions, most public institutions charge in-state residents lower tuition than their out-of-state peers. For example, out-of-state students pay nearly four times as much as in-state learners to attend four-year California colleges.
If you live outside of California and want to attend a public California college, you have two primary options for tuition relief. First, consider online learning. The best accounting schools in California sometimes offer tuition breaks to fully online learners.
Second, you can benefit from California's participation in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) tuition reciprocity program. WUE may provide lower or in-state tuition rates at California schools if you live outside the state but reside in another jurisdiction with WUE membership.
Cost of Living in California
California's cost of living is high. According to World Population Review data from 2025, California has the third-highest cost of living of any U.S. state, trailing only Hawaii and Massachusetts. On the whole, California's cost of living exceeds the national average by nearly 45%.
World Population Review uses 100 as the baseline national cost of living average. As of March 2025, California had an overall score of 144.8, with housing, utilities, and transportation all carrying much higher-than-average costs.
If you plan to live in California while studying accounting, factor the state's high cost of living into your budget.
Careers for Accounting Graduates in California
According to May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, California employs more accountants and auditors than any other state by a wide margin. California's accountant employment numbers outpace the second-place state, New York, by nearly 40%.
Even with high levels of established professionals in the field, California's labor market projects strong employment growth for accountants and auditors. Projections Central anticipates 8.2% job growth for these professions in California from 2022-32, nearly doubling the anticipated national growth rate of 4.4%.
The nationwide accountant shortage has hit California particularly hard, sparking the state's push to make CPA licensure more accessible. However, the CPA path is just one of multiple promising careers you can pursue with an accounting degree. The following sections profile some other viable options.
Popular Accounting Careers in California
Accounting Clerk
Accounting clerks mainly perform administrative and supporting duties, such as tracking transactions, reconciling bank statements, keeping financial records, and managing incoming and outgoing payments. You can enter this profession with an associate degree. However, the role is vulnerable to technology-driven automation, which is reflected in its growth outlook.
Job Outlook in California (2022-32): -2.7%
Cost Estimator
Cost estimators help employers plan their finances by creating project budgets, tracking costs and spending, and monitoring organizational financial health. In California, cost estimators earn average salaries of more than $90,000 per year, making it a strong career path you can pursue with a bachelor's degree.
Job Outlook in California (2022-32): +4.2%
Financial Manager
This senior position involves selecting and managing organizational investment and capital deployment activities, supervising junior staff members, and creating long-term financial plans. The profession receives very strong growth projections in California, making it an appealing option for qualified and experienced professionals with graduate degrees.
Job Outlook in California (2022-32): +17.6%
California Employment Trends
| Job Availability | California | National |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Employment | 173,700 | 1,538,400 |
| 2032 Projected Employment | 187,900 | 1,605,800 |
| Projected Job Growth, 2022-32 | +8.2% | +4.4% |
| Career | California Employment | California Average Annual Salary | National Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping and Auditing Clerks | 165,360 | $56,650 | $49,580 |
| Credit Counselors | 2,470 | $66,050 | $53,440 |
| Payroll Clerks | 23,660 | $61,710 | $54,690 |
| Career | California Employment | California Average Annual Salary | National Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Officers | 49,320 | $92,840 | $80,190 |
| Cost Estimators | 25,850 | $91,360 | $79,520 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | 5,160 | $90,310 | $76,110 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | 56,820 | $101,090 | $109,710 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors | 7,840 | $76,390 | $65,370 |
| Tax Preparers | 13,250 | $70,740 | $58,160 |
| Career | California Employment | California Average Annual Salary | National Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 166,020 | $100,560 | $90,780 |
| Budget Analysts | 4,770 | $102,990 | $90,880 |
| Financial Analysts | 35,660 | $125,220 | $112,950 |
| Financial Managers | 97,400 | $196,670 | $174,820 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 32,100 | $143,240 | $150,670 |
California offers plentiful opportunities to accounting professionals of all education levels, many of which pay salaries that exceed national averages. Employers throughout the state also compete for a limited talent pool, which could help increase pay for in-demand accounting professions.
As you consider career paths and weigh job offers, remember to research local living costs. While California's cost of living is generally elevated, it varies significantly within the state and tends to be higher in major cities.
California Requirements for Certified Public Accountants
The state's established standards persist as California lawmakers mull a proposal to introduce more accessible routes to CPA licensure. The California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) maintains a complete list of detailed requirements, with highlights including:
A bachelor's degree or higher
At least 150 semester credits or the equivalent
- At least 24 semester credits of accounting coursework, plus at least 20 additional semester credits of accounting study topics
At least 24 semester credits of general business coursework
At least 10 semester units of professional ethics coursework
12 or more months of professional accounting experience
Passing scores on all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, all earned within 18 months if you passed your first section before Jan. 2024 or within 30 months if you passed your first section in Jan. 2024 or later
If California adopts the alternate proposed pathway to CPA licensure, you may be able to qualify in the future with 120 semester credits instead of 150, and two years of experience instead of one year.
Questions About Accounting in California
California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Long Beach, and San Diego State University rank among the leading schools in the California State University (CSU) system.
