Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Mississippi
Twelve bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi pass muster according to ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB quality standards for training Magnolia State business leaders.
Sitting on the Gulf Coast, Mississippi generates a GSP of $107 billion as Forbes’ 21st best state for low business costs. Although there aren’t any Fortune 500 headquarters, Mississippi needs accountants at top employers like Beau Rivage Resort, North Miss Medical Center, RPM, Trustmark Financial Services, Toyota, Nissan, and Baptist Health. There are 396 licensed CPA firms statewide, including KPMG, Deloitte, Watkins & Company, BKD, Hood Accounting, and Griffith. According to the BLS, over 2,000 accountants work in Jackson alone for an average yearly salary of $54,100.
The following undergraduate accounting schools in Mississippi are backed by accreditation to help calculate profitable career starts.
Featured Programs
Alcorn State University
School of Business
Headquartered on 1,700 rural acres just 80 miles southwest of Jackson, Forbes’ 135th best city for job growth, Alcorn State University is a private, coeducational master’s-level TMCF member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference that’s led by President Alfred Rankins, Jr. with 2,825 undergrads enrolled. ASU is ranked America’s 19th top Black college on HBCU Lifestyle, 163rd best Greek life school on Niche, and 234th best value by The Economist. Costing an average net price of $14,237 yearly, the School of Business confers one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi with 73 percent retention.
Accounting Major
Chaired by Dr. Donna Williams, ASU’s Accounting Major focuses on the 5 Rs of rigor, relevance, relationships, responsibility, and resilience when training undergrads to skillfully enter the business profession with in-depth financial knowledge. Offering an optional MBA pathway, the 120-credit Bachelor of Science melds courses like quantitative analysis with senior internships at Britton & Koontz Bank, Silas Simmons CPAs, Trustmark, and others. Students might also add the Honors Curriculum, spend a semester in Morocco, and earn the Alcorn Achieve Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Biotech Building, 2nd Floor
1000 ASU Drive
Alcorn State, MS 39096
(601) 877-6450
dmwilliams@alcorn.edu
Belhaven University
School of Business
Founded by the Presbyterian Church USA in 1883, Belhaven University is a private, four-year Christian CCCU “College of Distinction” led by President Roger Parrott to instruct 4,245 Blazers upon its 42-acre campus near the Capitol with extensions from Memphis to Orlando. Belhaven is declared America’s 41st best standout college on Niche, 100th top value by Educate to Career, and 205th best online undergraduate school in the USNWR survey. Featured in Business Reform Magazine, the School of Business maintains its 11:1 student-faculty ratio across three majors, including one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Presently priced at $23,900 per year, Belhaven’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting has selective 51 percent admission for undergrads seeking a biblically-focused business platform to launch into the financial services sector. Starting the freshman year, the 124-credit degree chaired by Dr. Geoffrey Goldsmith spans courses from statistics to tax preparation and computerized accounting. Students could also join the Society of Accountancy, attend Young CPA Association events, take three-credit internships at companies like Deloitte or BBVA Compass, minor in Management, and travel to China.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1500 Peachtree Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 965-7056
ggoldsmith@belhaven.edu
Delta State University
College of Business and Aviation
Enrolling 4,800 Statesmen in the Gulf South, Delta State University stands atop 339 acres with 64 brick buildings on Bolivar County’s Blues Trail as a public, coeducational teaching school that’s led by President William LaForge. DSU is recognized for America’s 247th best professors on Niche, the South’s 135th best value in Washington Monthly, and Mississippi’s 10th top education by BestColleges.com. Operating two hangars with 16 Cessna aircraft, the College of Business and Aviation has grown since its 1928 founding to deliver eight undergrad majors, including another of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi, with 87 percent acceptance.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting
Reporting a median mid-career salary of $67,300 on PayScale, Delta’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting was designed by industry practitioners under Chair Clint Wood, JD, to teach the latest analytical techniques for reporting financial transactions. The 120-credit curriculum satisfies CIA and CMA certification with Cleveland courses from cost accounting to business taxation. Other opportunities include double majoring in computer information systems, declaring Honors, interning at Baird & Stallings, studying in Jamaica, and joining Accounting Club.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Broom Hall 332
Highway 8 West
Cleveland, MS 38733
(662) 846-4183
cwood@deltastate.edu
Mississippi College
School of Business
Endowed for $73.7 million, Mississippi College is the Hospitality State’s largest private, faith-based teaching institution upholding Baptist values to inspire 3,145 undergrad Choctaws on its 320-acre Clinton campus in Hinds County. MC is ranked America’s 373rd best private school in Forbes, 136th top accounting college on Niche, and 33rd best online university by College Choice. Established in 1946, the School of Business has produced over 6,000 graduates in 12 accredited majors, including one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi, who’ve excelled with State Farm, KPMG, Bancorp South, and more.
Accounting Major, BSBA
Taking a Christian context, the Accounting Major BSBA at Mississippi College fosters ethical management skills and awareness of current financial trends to unlock mid-level accountancy jobs where certifications like CMA are required. Chaired by Dr. Marcelo Eduardo, the 120-credit program grants courses from auditing to global business in updated classroom labs with specialized accounting software. Majors may also join Delta Mu Delta, study in Seoul, intern with Horne LLIP, attend the Executive Speakers Series, and participate in Business Ethics Week.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Self Hall 103A
200 S. Capitol Street
Clinton, MS 39056
(601) 925-3420
eduardo@mc.edu
Mississippi State University
Richard C. Adkherson School of Accountancy
Generating annual research expenditures of $226.4 million, Mississippi State University is a public, sea-grant RU/H doctoral institution headed by President Mark Keenum with 18,090 undergrad Bulldogs enrolled on its 4,200 rural acres in Starkville. MSU is deemed America’s 197th best business school on Niche, 171st top university by the U.S. News, and 11th most socially engaged college by Engagement Labs. Named for the CEO of Freeport-McMoRan, the Richard C. Adkherson School of Accountancy has one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi that was ranked #3 nationally on Commerce Clearing House’s Public Accounting Report.
Bachelors in Accountancy
Offering $10,000 Accounting Excellence Scholarships yearly, MSU’s Bachelors in Accountancy admits sophomores who’ve tackled pre-major prerequisites and been devoted to fulfilling demand implementing precise financial control methods in diverse businesses. Directed by Dr. Shawn Mauldin, the 124-credit degree culminates in a 10-week internship after courses like business policy and microeconomics. Undergrads might also take the NASBA exam, add the Pre-Law Concentration, subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, pledge Beta Alpha Psi, and become Student Ambassadors.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
McCool Hall 300
B.S. Hood Road, Stop 9584
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-1633
smauldin@business.msstate.edu
Mississippi University of Women
College of Business & Professional Studies
Admitting 2,745 Owls with an average ACT score of 21.5, the Mississippi University of Women became a comprehensive public, coeducational teaching institute in 1988 to operate five accredited schools upon its 114-acre Columbus campus along the Tombigbee River. Featured in Innovative Higher Education, MUW is ranked America’s 473rd best value in Money Magazine, 498th most conservative school on Niche, and 51st best master’s college by Washington Monthly. The College of Business & Professional Studies has engaged learning for one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi with 90 percent job placement.
Accounting, BS
Coordinated by Dr. Marty Brock, MUW’s Accounting BS currently charges Mississippians $3,307 and nonresidents $9,077 per full-time semester for rigorous, relevant training that produces financial gatekeepers capable of managing public or corporate funds. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the 124-credit curriculum delves into courses like statistical analysis, organizational behavior, and marketing. Undergrads can also intern with BDO, join the Accounting Honorary, engage with TVA Investment Club, study in Germany, and attend the W Leadership Program.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Reneua Hall 303
1100 College Street
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7152
mbrock@muw.edu
Mississippi Valley State University
Business Administration Department
Honored as the Tom Joyner Foundation’s School of the Month in August 2016, Mississippi Valley State University is a second-tier public, coeducational teaching institution that’s engaging 2,502 Delta Devils upon a 450-acre tract of Leflore County five miles from Greenwood. MVSU is applauded for America’s 271st best professors on Niche, 227th best master’s education in Washington Monthly, and fifth cheapest Black college by HBCU Lifestyle. Offering Career Services, the Business Administration Department has a four-year graduation rate of 22 percent for one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi.
BS Accounting
Affordably priced at $3,211 per year, Mississippi Valley’s BS Accounting is chaired by Dr. Jongchai Kim for undergrads to finish 126 semester hours toward the 150-hour Certified Public Accountant distinction and advance their financial acumen for ensuring accurate bookkeeping. Housed in a $10.6-million facility, the 48-month degree blends courses like governmental accounting with practical experience at companies like GranthamPoole and McCarthy CPA. Students could also jump start the MBA, join the Accounting Society, pledge Iota Kappa, and go global to Spain.
Accreditation
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Business Building 117
14000 Highway 82 West
Itta Bena, MS 38941
(662) 254-3609
kim@mvsu.edu
Saint Leo University-Columbus AFB
Donald R. Tapia School of Business
Founded by Chief Justice Edmund F. Dunne in 1881, Saint Leo University is a private, coeducational Catholic school affiliated with the Order of Saint Benedict that’s endowed for $43.68 million to educate 16,207 Lions from Florida’s Pasco County to Mississippi’s Columbus AFB Center. Labeled “Military Friendly” by G.I. Jobs, Saint Leo is named America’s 36th best online college by OnlineDegreeReviews.org and the South’s 97th best value in Washington Monthly. The Donald R. Tapia School of Business has five annual start dates for one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi ranked 59th by the U.S. News.
BA Accounting
Featuring a Columbus AFB student-faculty ratio of 25:1, Saint Leo’s BA Accounting is coordinated by Dr. Lorrie McGovern to deliver evening, weekend, and online courses that dig into challenging financial concepts encountered in today’s multinational businesses. Priced at $36,388 yearly before aid, the 123-credit bachelor’s blends courses like financial statement analysis with activities in the Pacioli Accounting Club. Undergrads have also interned at Seema Jain, Crowe Horwath, Grant Thornton, SK Financial Services, Deloitte, and others.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 926, Suite 120
680 Seventh Street
Columbus AFB, MS 39710
(662) 434-8844
lorrie.mcgovern@saintleo.edu
The University of Mississippi
Patterson School of Accountancy
Affiliated with CEO alums like Jim Barksdale and Dixie Carter, the University of Mississippi is a public, space-grant RU/VH member of the SEC that’s endowed for $606.4 million to educate 24,250 Rebels from 3,684 spacious acres in Oxford. Ole Miss is ranked America’s 145th best university by the U.S. News, 106th best accounting college on Niche, and 153rd top research institute in Forbes. Boasting the globe’s largest accounting library, the Patterson School of Accountancy has been ranked within the Public Accounting Report’s top 20 nationally since 2008 for another of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi with 78 percent admission.
Bachelor of Accountancy
Accepting junior applicants until April 1st or October 1st yearly, the Ole Miss Bachelor of Accountancy is a 2+2 professional program where upper-division undergrads build on their business core with in-depth financial analysis skills for smart money management. Chaired by Dr. Mark Wilder, an Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award winner, the 124-credit curriculum includes courses like strategic planning and economic statistics. Students could also intern for 10 weeks at PricewaterhouseCoopers, join the NABA Chapter, pledge Tau Alpha Chi, and volunteer with TaxAide.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Conner Hall 200
P.O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677
(662) 915-7468
umaccy@olemiss.edu
The University of Southern Mississippi
College of Business
Located on 300 acres beyond Century Gate in Hattiesburg, Sperling’s 329th greenest city, the University of Southern Mississippi is a public, doctoral-level ORAU member of Conference USA that’s led by President Rodney Bennett with 14,479 Golden Eagles. USM is designated America’s 15th best standout college on Niche, 242th top public university in Forbes, and 215th best school by the CWUR. Featuring a Beta Alpha Psi Superior Chapter, the College of Business was ranked 10th nationally for affordability by Accounting Degree Review with an annual net price of $12,055.
BSBA in Accounting
Directed by Gwen Pate, PhD, the Southern Miss BSBA becomes one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi when undergrads select the Accounting Major that’s focused on teaching the language of business for running profitable operations. Taught in Gulfport or Hattiesburg, the 124-credit degree develops courses for small group communication, federal income tax, financial reporting, and more. Students could also attend the British Studies Program, join Investment Club, become Eagle Scholars, and add the Casino Management Certificate.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Scianna Hall 3067
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-4641
gwen.pate@usm.edu
William Carey University
School of Business
Registering a 4.4 percent enrollment jump to 4,694 Crusaders in Fall 2017, William Carey University is a private, Baptist liberal arts school preaching to “Expect Great Things From God” since 1892 that’s occupying 120 acres in Forrest County with Gulfport and Biloxi satellites. William Carey is ranked America’s 81st best Christian college on Niche, the South’s 48th top university by the U.S. News, and Mississippi’s #1 safest school by YourLocalSecurity. The School of Business awards eight majors, including one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi, with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio.
Bachelor of Science in Business (B.S.B.): Accounting Concentration
Exclusively at the Hattiesburg campus, William Carey’s Bachelor of Science in Business (B.S.B.) delivers the Accounting Concentration for $380 per credit to aspiring CPAs needing the professional foundation for measuring and reporting important financial data. Headed by Dr. Cheryl L. Dale, the 128-credit program injects upper-division courses from cost management to financial portfolio analysis. Majors may also pledge Sigma Beta Delta, join the Society for Advancement of Management, intern with Topp McWhorter Harvey, study in South Africa, and claim the Trustee Scholarship.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Business Building 105
710 William Carey Parkway
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 318-6199
business@wmcarey.edu
Although the Tupelo Daily Journal reports that Mississippi’s economy is lagging behind the nation with 1.7 percent growth, accounting is hot in the Hospitality State. CareerOneStop projects that Mississippi will see accountancy grow by 10 percent through 2024 to climb from 5,650 to 6,200 jobs. Graduate with a marketable major from these accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Mississippi.