Best Master of Science in Taxation (MST) 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$600 per credit

  Taft University System

  Master of Science in Taxation (MST)

  Colorado · M.S.T.

  Taft University System's M.S.T. Review
• Highest Graduate Earnings$134,927 median earnings

  Golden Gate University

  Master of Science in Taxation

  California · M.S.

  Golden Gate University's M.S. Review

Programs whose degree is titled Master of Science in Taxation, or MST.

• Degree titled Master of Science in Taxation
• Degree title 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.

Check the Master of Science in Taxation Title and Credit Count

A school can write this degree a few different ways, so read the title and the credit unit before you compare. Bryant University's MST is ten courses worth 30 credits, plus a 1-credit orientation course. Taft University System's Master of Science in Taxation is also 30 credits. LSU New Orleans gives its 30-hour program the title Master of Science in Tax Accounting, which still puts tax at the center.

Credits don't always mean the same thing from school to school. The University of Washington counts 51 credits across 14 classes in three quarters. DePaul University counts 48 credits across 12 courses and says its credits are quarter hours. Because the unit differs, count the courses and the terms as well as the credits.

Write the title, the credit total, the credit unit and the number of courses for every program on your shortlist. Then compare them in one table. You'll see quickly which programs are close cousins and which are built differently under the same name.

Look Past the Title at the Tax Courses Themselves

Two programs with the same title can build different skills. Gonzaga University works through Taxation of Corporations, Partnership Taxation, Wealth Transfer Taxation, Taxation of Property Transactions, State and Local Taxation, International Taxation and Tax Research.

The University at Albany lists Principles of Tax Research, Corporate Taxation, Taxation of Partnerships and a Seminar in Taxation and Financial Planning, and it gives you the option of taking a tax law course each semester at Albany Law School.

Some programs let you choose a direction. Bryant University has you pick ten courses from a long list that includes Individual Income Taxation. University of Cincinnati offers specializations and certificates in corporate taxation, individual taxation, AI in business, applied AI in finance, data analytics and quantitative finance.

Match course names to the work you do now or want next. If you prepare returns for families, individual taxation matters. If you support a company's tax department, look for corporate and partnership courses.

Pick Programs With Hands-On Tax Practice

Clinics and projects let you use what you learn on real tax questions. At California State University-Northridge, your culminating experience can be the Tax Challenge Project, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic or the Bookstein Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. A fellowship of up to $9,000 goes to up to ten students who train at the VITA Clinic.

California State University-Fullerton lets you volunteer with VITA and take an internship for elective credit. Golden Gate University lets eligible students earn up to 6 units of credit through a taxation internship. Gonzaga lists a Federal Tax Clinic, where you represent low-income clients in IRS examination and collection matters.

When you read a program page, find the line about practice and ask how many students take part each year. A clinic you can join in your first year gives you more practice than one you only hear about near graduation. If a program offers several options, pick the one closest to the work you want after the degree, whether that is individual returns, tax controversy or business planning.

Choose a Pace That Works With Tax Season

Full-time students can finish fast. The University of Washington runs weekday daytime classes for nine months, and Albany moves a cohort through 30 credits over two semesters. Gonzaga lists full-time study in 2 semesters and gives you up to five years to finish if you need longer.

If you work in tax, busy season shapes the whole plan. Bryant says you can finish within one year by taking two courses per term, with one course during tax season.

Northridge runs 1.5 years and schedules no classes during the busy tax seasons. DePaul says students can take a quarter off in busy seasons, and its pace runs from as little as 12 months full time to 18 to 24 months part time.

If you studied accounting at Golden Gate University, its Path2CPA option lets you earn the MST in as little as one year after the bachelor's degree.

Before you commit, write down the months when you can't study and ask each school how its calendar handles them.