Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Iowa
Six bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa will position undergrads for entry-level financial services jobs in the Hawkeye State’s $157 billion economy. Ranked #2 for “Cost of Doing Business” on CNBC, Iowa is a Midwestern gem with a sizeable workforce of 1.534 million in more than just farming. Accountants are needed at three Fortune 500 companies: Rockwell Collins, Casey’s General Stores, and Principal Financial Group. Iowa has also developed 483 licensed CPA firms, such as Clifton Gunderson, Honkamp Krueger & Co., KPMG, and Schupick & Associates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Iowa employs 9,630 accountants and auditors for an excellent average salary of $65,470. Attending one of these accredited accounting schools in Iowa can help bachelor’s students start careers on the right foot.
Iowa State University
College of Business
Established in 1858, Iowa State University is the oldest public, land-grant research institution under the Morrill Act that’s gained elite AAU membership and a $760 million endowment to serve 36,660 Cyclones in Ames. Applauded in The Wall Street Journal for the 45th most prepared graduates, ISU was named the 298th best U.S. college by Times Higher Education. Placed #4 for accounting information systems research in the BYU 2016 rankings, the College of Business is crowned America’s 65th best business school by the U.S. News with a 98 percent placement rate.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting
Unlocking a median starting salary of $46,301, ISU’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting is among the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa upholding IFRS standards to teach undergrads about synthesizing and reporting financial figures. Students must complete the pre-business curriculum with a 2.5 GPA or better before finishing the 122-credit degree with specialized courses like business data streams. Majors could also sit for the AICPA exam, volunteer with the VITA Project, join the NABA, and enjoy Business Week.
Featured Programs
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
2330 Gerdin Business Building
Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-8112
undergrad@iastate.edu
Kaplan University-Cedar Falls
School of Business and Technology
Affiliated with alumni like Lance Pruitt, Dianne Curry, and Rick Hill, Kaplan University is a for-profit, distance school subsidiary that was purchased by Purdue in 2017 to become nonprofit for more than 33,000 enrolled students at 14 campuses, including one in Cedar Falls near Route 27, and virtually. Graded “A” for safety and location on Niche, Kaplan-Cedar Falls houses America’s 156th best online baccalaureate degrees according to the U.S. News. The Kaplan School of Business and Technology delivers one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa with a 27:1 student-faculty ratio.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
Directed by Dean Dr. Thomas Boyd, Kaplan’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting confers a B.S. for $371 per unit to traditional undergrads and returning adults seeking to apply generally accepted accounting principles in diverse work environments. Satisfying CMA certification, the 180-unit curriculum offers monthly start dates for specializing in Public Accountancy, Tax Accountancy, Managerial Accountancy, or Auditing-Forensic Accountancy 100% online. The ExcelTrack is available for taking one-credit mini courses with personalized learning for transfer completion in 2.5 years.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
7009 Nordic Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-0220
RSupport@kaplan.edu
Maharishi University of Management
College of Business Administration
Located on 370 rural acres in Fairfield just 60 miles south of Iowa City, Maharishi University of Management enrolls 1,796 students in consciousness-based education as a nonprofit, co-educational school that’s endowed for $9 million. Honored in The Princeton Review’s “Guide to 361 Green Colleges,” MUM was ranked in the United States’ top 5 percent for gender diversity on College Factual. Capitalizing upon a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, the College of Business Administration stands out among bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa for including transcendental meditation daily for mental clarity.
BA in Business Administration, Accounting Track
Chaired by Dr. Andrew Bargerstock, an IMA Carl Menconi Award winner, the BA in Business Administration at MUM immerses undergrads in one full-time course per month for around $26,530 annually to support students’ executive leadership skills in two tracks, including Accounting. Aligned to CPA competencies, the 52-credit major spans courses from cost analysis to sustainability before a capstone in the Concept to Market Institute (CTMI). Students may also add the Government Minor, join the MUM Hawaii Program, or study abroad in Mongolia.
Accreditation
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1000 North 4th Street
Fairfield, IA 52557
(641) 472-1102
accounting@mum.edu
Northwestern College
Business and Economics Department
Endowed for $46.68 million, Northwestern College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution of the Reformed Church in America that’s educating 1,210 Red Raiders from 100 rural acres in Sioux County. Given a Forbes financial grade of “B+” for the 150th most grateful grads nationally, Northwestern is ranked the sixth best Midwestern school by the U.S. News. Boasting ETS scores in the top 94th percentile, the Business and Economics Department confers another of the IACBE-accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa from Zwemer Hall to shape the leadership skills God has bestowed.
Accounting Major
Awarding a Bachelor of Arts, Northwestern’s Accounting Major offers access to 50+ clubs while undergrads specialize their liberal arts education in preparing for financial services jobs in Big Four firms with an average freshman retention rate of 79 percent. Priced at $30,000 per year, the 54-credit major blends face-to-face courses with paid internships at Kenning Neely LLC, Eide Bailly, and more. Other opportunities include becoming a Bridge Scholar, studying in Romania, and finding service learning in the Franken Leadership Center.
Accreditation
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
101 7th Street SW
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 707-7014
vonda@nwciowa.edu
St. Ambrose University
College of Business
Enrolling 3,607 Fighting Bees, St. Ambrose University is a private, nonprofit CCCU member of the Catholic Diocese of Davenport that’s endowed for $134.3 million with a 118-acre campus in the Quad Cities region. Ranked America’s 122nd best college with a free application on Niche, SAU is crowned the 35th best Midwestern college, 34th top value, and 22nd most veteran-friendly university by the U.S. News. Presently charging $29,736 per year full-time, the College of Business in Ambrose Hall offers one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa with a Forever Masters option for guaranteed graduate admission and CPA licensure.
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
Taught by PhD-level faculty from Duke, Rutgers, UMass, CU-Boulder, and others, the Bachelor of Arts in Accounting lets SAU undergrads master the key functions for generating financial data to nurture businesses’ bottom lines ethically. Integrating Gleim CPA Review, the 29-credit major includes courses for income tax, valuation, small business accounting, and auditing with financial help like the Derrek Drexler Accounting Scholarship. The Career Center coordinates 300+ internships yearly, including with Deloitte, Caterpillar, John Deere, and RSM.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
518 W. Locust Street
Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 333-6155
AmbroseAllisonS@sau.edu
The University of Iowa
Tippie College of Business
Led by President Bruce Harreld, the University of Iowa is a public, Big Ten RU/VH powerhouse endowed for $1.25 billion with space-grant status to enlighten 33,334 Hawkeyes from 1,700 acres in Johnson County. Included among Fiske Guide’s “Best Buys” for 12 straight years, UIowa is ranked the 141st best U.S. college and 250th top global university by Times Higher Education. Placed 13th by the NASBA based on CPA pass rates, the Tippie College of Business is ranked the 64th best business school on the U.S. News survey for one of the top bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Iowa.
BBA in Accounting
Accepting applications until March 1st and November 15th, the BBA in Accounting utilizes the Tippie College’s resources to teach the language of business and build reliable careers in financial services. The 120-credit program costs Iowans $9,189 and non-residents $30,833 annually for quality courses from statistics to asset valuation. Majors could also volunteer with the VITA Program, spend semesters in Hong Kong, manage stocks with HawkTrade, pledge Beta Alpha Psi, intern with JP Morgan, and attend the Sidney G. Winter Lecture Series.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
108 John Pappajohn Building
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-0862
tippie-business@uiowa.edu
Stepping into the U.S. News’ #6 best business job will involve majoring in accounting at a four-year B-school to master the trade’s fundamental skills. National accreditation from the AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE assures undergrads that the learning they’re purchasing meets industry standards for respect from future employers. Business accreditors give these six bachelor’s of accounting degree programs in Iowa the stamp of approval for quality.
See also: 50 Most Affordable Small Midwest Colleges for an Accounting Degree 2016 (Bachelor’s)