Cheapest Master's in Taxation Programs in 2027

• Highest Score74.9 out of 100

  University of Florida

  Taxation

  Florida · LL.M.

  University of Florida's LL.M. 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$133,259 median earnings

  University of Akron

  Taxation, MTax

  Ohio · M.Tax

  University of Akron's M.Tax Review
• Strongest CredentialsAACSB stated by the school; prepares for CPA

  California State University-Northridge

  Master of Science in Taxation

  California · M.S.

  California State University-Northridge's M.S. Review

Programs with a published per-credit rate, sorted from lowest to highest, top 15. We use the rate a non-resident student pays; the in-state rate is shown when it differs.

• A per-credit rate confirmed on the school's tuition or program page
• Ranked by the rate a non-resident student pays, then by our score
• Mandatory fees are noted but not added to the rate

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.

Multiply the Rate by the Credits to Find the Cheapest Master's in Taxation

The rate on a program page is only half of the price. Multiply it by the credits, and you'll have a working total before you compare anything. Tuition is the part you can compare cleanly, so start there and add fees and books afterward.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Master of Science in Accountancy with a Specialization in Taxation charges $556.75 per credit across 30 credits, which works out to $16,702.50 in tuition. Taft University System charges $600 per credit for both of its degrees. Its LL.M. in Taxation takes 24 credits, about $14,400. Its Master of Science in Taxation takes 30, about $18,000.

A higher rate can still give you a modest total. Franklin University charges $690 per credit over 32 credits, about $22,080. Goldey-Beacom College charges $725 over 36 credits, about $26,100. Write down the rate, the credits and the total for each program you like, then let the total do the comparing.

Read the Fee Line Next to Each Rate

Some schools fold fees into the rate and others list them beside it. Both are easy to plan around once you can see the line. The Edwardsville program says tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, and all fees are included in the price you see.

Mississippi State University's Master of Taxation lists $602.50 per credit plus a $25.00 instructional support fee per credit hour. Students in and out of state pay the same in-state rate, so you don't need to be a resident. At the University of Akron, tuition and the Akron Fee total $600 per credit hour for Ohio residents, and online courses carry a $15 per credit hour online fee.

Walsh College adds a $175 student support fee per semester to its $991 per credit. Florida Atlantic University prices by the course instead. Its program fees run $27,000 to $32,400, or $2,700 per course, and cover recorded lectures, advising, career services and graduation regalia. Add each school's fees to your total, and ask the admissions office for a written cost sheet so your number matches the bill.

Stretch Your Budget With Transfer Credits, Pace and Aid

A few levers move the total without changing schools. Franklin University accepts up to 12 transfer credits, and its Tuition Guarantee locks in your rate from the first term through graduation while you stay enrolled.

Pace matters too. Goldey-Beacom College schedules one course per eight-week session across fall, spring and summer, so you can spread the $725 per credit over two years. California State University, Northridge offers a Financial Empowerment Fellowship of up to $9,000 for students who train at its tax clinic, and the University of Hartford gives a tuition discount to educational partners.

Look at what comes with the program, too. Mississippi State University's Bulldog Ledger says graduate study for its Master of Taxation students includes a Becker CPA Exam Review class. California State University, Northridge guarantees enrollment in all courses within the cohort, so your schedule stays predictable.

Ask each admissions office which of these you qualify for. Then put the savings next to the sticker price, so you're comparing what you'd really pay.

Pick the LL.M. or the Master of Science Before Comparing Prices

Both degree types appear on this list, and price alone won't tell you which one fits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that tax lawyers may choose to earn a tax LL.M. after completing a J.D. program, so these degrees are built for people who already hold a law degree. Taft lists a Juris Doctor as its admission requirement.

The University of Florida's LL.M. in Taxation runs 26 credits at $815.81 per credit for Florida residents, $21,211.06. Taft's LL.M. is delivered in the Independent Study format, so students work at their own pace.

If you're an accountant without a law degree, look at the Master of Science and Master of Taxation programs. Akron's doesn't limit you to one background and welcomes CPAs, accounting and business graduates, J.D. holders and others with high potential. Pick the degree that matches your background, then compare prices inside that group. Not sure what the label means? Read what an LL.M. in taxation is.