Best AACSB Accredited Master's in Taxation Programs in 2027

• Highest Score77.6 out of 100

  Strongest CredentialsAACSB stated by the school; prepares for CPA

  California State University-Fullerton

  Master of Science in Taxation

  California · M.S.

  California State University-Fullerton's M.S. Review
• Lowest Price$556.75 per credit

  Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

  Master of Science in Accountancy with a Specialization in Taxation

  Illinois · M.S.A.

  Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's M.S.A. Review
• Highest Graduate Earnings$120,205 median earnings

  St. John's University-New York

  Taxation, Master of Science

  New York · M.S.

  St. John's University-New York's M.S. Review

Programs whose school states AACSB accreditation.

• AACSB accreditation stated by the school
• Accreditation status shown for each program
• Ranked on the shared methodology

Scores are the weighted sum of eight factors (Tax Specialization 15%, Tax Subject Coverage 15%, Hands-On Tax Practice 10%, Cost 20%, Graduate Earnings 10%, Credential Alignment 10%, Track Record 10%, Program Reputation 10%), version 2.0. The methodology page shows the rubric for each factor.

Look for Dual AACSB Accreditation in Business and Accounting

AACSB International calls itself the world's largest network and global standard-setting body for business education, and it says only 6 percent of institutions offering business degrees worldwide have achieved its accreditation. For a taxation master's, the useful detail is which part of the school holds it.

Several programs on this list name accreditation in both business and accounting. Cal State Fullerton's program sits in a college with dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. Weber State's Master of Taxation is AACSB dual-accredited, and the School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has held dual accreditation since 1975.

LSU New Orleans holds a separate AACSB accreditation for its graduate accounting programs. Gonzaga is AACSB accredited too, and it offers a dual degree with the J.D.

When you read a program page, look for business and accounting named together. That tells you the accounting side was reviewed too. Ask the admissions office to point you to the accreditation statement.

Confirm the Accreditation on the School's Own Page

Every program here states AACSB accreditation on its own pages, so you can start there and then check one more place. AACSB says accredited institutions have met rigorous standards for the quality of their business and accounting programs, and its website carries a list of accredited schools you can search.

Read the wording closely. Florida Gulf Coast names its Lutgert College of Business as the accredited unit. Mississippi State says its accountancy program is accredited as part of the overall accreditation of the College of Business, as well as through a supplemental AACSB accreditation of accounting programs. Portland State's program page states accreditation in business and accounting.

Cal State Fullerton describes its college as holding dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting, which is the kind of exact wording you want to see.

Copy the exact wording into your notes for each school. Then make sure the college that houses the tax degree is the one on AACSB's list. You'll want to match the college, not just the university name.

Plan Your CPA Path Around Your State Board

Accreditation speaks to quality, but your state board sets the education rules for the CPA. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) says a CPA is licensed by a state board of accountancy, and it describes a traditional 150-hour pathway alongside a graduate degree pathway.

NASBA also notes that jurisdictions must formally adopt new models, with implementation dates that vary, so a rule you read about may not apply in your state yet.

Some programs spell out the fit. Cal State Northridge says its program meets California's 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure. Florida Atlantic University says its Executive Master of Taxation courses may be used toward the education requirements of the CPA and other professional licenses. Cincinnati's Master of Science in Taxation says it can count toward the credits to sit for the exam.

Ask each admissions office one question: how many of these credits does my board accept? Get the answer in writing before you enroll.

Compare Price and Format Among Accredited Programs

Accreditation doesn't set the price, so compare it separately. Per-credit rates on this list run from $556.75 to $1,439.75.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville charges the same tuition to in-state and out-of-state students with fees included, and its 30 credits come to $16,702.50.

Mississippi State charges out-of-state online students the in-state rate, and its 30 credits come to $18,075.

Formats vary as much as price. Cal State Fullerton, Gonzaga, Arizona State and North Texas are on campus. Cal State Northridge is hybrid, with live classes you join in person or by video. Portland State's Master of Taxation pairs hybrid courses with one weekend on campus at the start of each term.

Weber State's coursework is identical for in-person and online tracks, and it awards tuition waivers and private scholarships three times a year.

Pick the format first, then compare totals inside it. You'll weigh like with like that way.