Best Master of Taxation Programs (MTax) in 2027

• Highest Score73.1 out of 100

  Lowest Price$601 per credit

  University of Akron

  Taxation, MTax

  Ohio · M.Tax

  University of Akron's M.Tax Review
• Highest Graduate Earnings$170,796 median earnings

  Villanova University

  Master of Taxation

  Pennsylvania · M.T.

  Villanova University's M.T. Review
• Strongest CredentialsAACSB stated by the school; prepares for CPA

  Portland State University

  Master of Taxation

  Oregon · M.Tax.

  Portland State University's M.Tax. Review

Programs whose degree is titled Master of Taxation, or MTax.

• Degree titled Master of 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.

Know What a Master of Taxation Title Tells You

The title tells you the subject, and each school fills in the rest. University of Akron has offered its MTax since 1979, and the curriculum is 30 semester credits. University of Denver offers a 24-semester-credit Master of Taxation and a 30-semester-credit extended track, so one school can give you two versions of the same title. Weber State University requires a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond a bachelor's degree.

Villanova University offers its 30-credit degree on campus, online or in a hybrid format, which lets you choose the setting after you choose the school. Portland State University lists 45 total credits for its Master of Taxation.

Use the title to confirm you're looking at a tax degree. Then ask each school which version of the title you'd enroll in, what the credit total is and how often you'd be on campus. A Master of Taxation can look alike across schools and still ask for very different weeks.

Pick Between a Full-Time Year and a Working Schedule

Master of Taxation programs split into two rhythms. The fast one is a single year of full-time study. Denver says full-time students can earn the degree in just one year, and part-time students in 18-24 months. Portland State lists 12 months full time or 18-24 months part time. University of Mississippi is in person, with 30 semester hours on the Oxford campus in 10-12 months.

The working rhythm stretches the same material around a job. Akron's evening live classes fit around a full-time job, and you can take the program in person, online or both. Weber lets you take 1-5 courses per semester and finish as quickly as a year. Florida Atlantic's Executive Master of Taxation lists 12 to 36 months.

Pick the rhythm first, then the school. If you can protect a full year, full-time study gets you to the credential quickly. If your hours already belong to a job, choose the program that keeps the load light.

Connect Your Coursework to Practice Before the IRS

If you plan to represent clients, look at how a program handles tax procedure. The IRS says an enrolled agent (EA) has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, and EAs, CPAs and attorneys all have unlimited representation rights.

One route to the EA credential is the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE): you pass all three parts within three years, and the third part is Representation, Practices and Procedures.

A degree doesn't replace that exam, but it can put tax procedure in your coursework. Weber's required courses include Tax Research & Procedure, Accounting for Income Taxes, Advanced Individual Taxation, Advanced Corporate Taxation and Advanced Partnership Taxation. Portland State lists a Federal Tax Procedure course in its curriculum. Denver adds a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and the school says it's available fully remotely.

When you tour a program, ask which course covers procedure, penalties and appeals, and whether a clinic or practicum puts you in front of real taxpayers.

Compare GPA, Test and Recommendation Requirements

Master of Taxation programs list their entry steps plainly, and the details differ by school. Weber asks for a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a GPA of at least 3.0 overall and in the last 60 credit hours, a resume and, for some applicants, two letters of recommendation. It says the GMAT applies only in certain circumstances.

Mississippi State asks for a 3.0 GPA on all coursework or the last 60 hours, a regionally accredited bachelor's degree and three recommendation letters, and it doesn't require the GMAT. The University of Mississippi asks for a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and the required undergraduate courses, with a minimum GMAT score of 445 unless waived.

Before you apply, write down for each school which GPA it measures, how many recommenders it wants and whether a test is part of the file. Then decide who you'll ask. One list shows you which applications are closest to ready.