Best Master's in Accounting and Taxation Programs in 2027

• Highest Score57.0 out of 100

  University of Washington

  Master of Science in Taxation

  Washington · MST

  University of Washington's MST Review
• Lowest Price$556.75 per credit

  Strongest CredentialsAACSB stated by the school; prepares for CPA

  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$119,302 median earnings

  Bentley University

  Master of Science in Accounting, Taxation Major

  Massachusetts · M.S.A.

  Bentley University's M.S.A. Review

Programs whose degree or named concentration pairs accounting with taxation.

• Accounting and taxation named together in the degree or concentration
• Degree and concentrations 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.

Find Where the Accounting and Taxation Pairing Sits

The pairing shows up under several names, so read what's behind the title. Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Hartford each award a Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation, and Hartford abbreviates it M.S.A.T.

The University of Alabama offers a Master of Tax Accounting, and Rutgers University-Newark a Master of Accountancy in Taxation. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awards a Master of Science in Accountancy with a Specialization in Taxation.

The pairing can sit in the degree name or in a concentration, so check the course list. Alabama requires a minimum of 30 hours beyond the undergraduate degree, and students take 2 tax law courses at its School of Law.

Franklin University gives you hands-on experience with tax returns, tax research, tax memos and tax planning. Florida Gulf Coast lets you elect a concentration in analytics, and Hartford offers a dual MSAT/MBA.

As you compare, ask what share of the courses are tax and what share are accounting. A program split evenly serves a different goal than one that leans toward tax.

Count Your Credits Toward the CPA Exam

Many accounting and taxation programs say their credits can count toward licensure, so start with the pathways. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) describes three recognized model pathways. The Graduate Degree Pathway is a graduate degree in accounting plus one year of professional experience plus passing the CPA Exam.

The Traditional 150-Hour Pathway is a bachelor's degree in accounting plus 30 additional semester credits, for 150 semester hours total, plus one year of experience and the exam. The New 120-Hour Pathway is a bachelor's degree in accounting plus two years of professional experience plus the exam.

A model only matters where your state adopts it. NASBA says individual jurisdictions must formally enact legislation to adopt the new models, so check with your state board before you pick a program.

Schools speak to this directly. Rutgers-Newark says its program satisfies the 150-hour requirement for the CPA exam, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville says its graduates qualify to sit for the CPA exam in Illinois.

Hartford says its graduates are qualified to take the CPA and certified management accountant (CMA) examinations. Franklin says you'll also have the required hours and foundational knowledge to sit for certification exams such as the CPA, depending on your undergraduate program.

Pick the CPA Exam Section That Matches a Tax Focus

The CPA Exam has three four-hour Core sections and one four-hour Discipline section of your choice. Taxation and Regulation (REG) is one of the Core sections, so every candidate meets tax. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) says that if you're interested in tax, personal financial planning or wealth advisory, the Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) Discipline may be worth considering.

Your choice doesn't box you in. The AICPA notes that your CPA license simply says CPA and doesn't specify which Discipline you passed. You must score a minimum of 75 on each section.

A master's that pairs the two fields lets you study both. Hartford lists foundation courses you can take alongside the master's coursework if your background isn't accounting. Franklin's degree is an accounting master's with a Taxation Specialization, and Alabama's is a Master of Tax Accounting. Ask each program which of its courses line up with REG and, if you choose it, TCP.

On your shortlist, note which program says it prepares you for the exam, and ask for the pass-rate history it can share.

Compare Prices That Change With Residency and Format

Two programs with the same credit count can cost very different amounts. Hartford lists $916 per credit for 30 credits, taught in seven-week courses, so you can finish a 10-course degree in less than one year. Franklin University lists $690 per credit hour for 32 credits, and its Tuition Guarantee lets you lock in what you'll pay from your first term through graduation as long as you stay actively enrolled.

Residency changes the math at two schools. Florida Gulf Coast University lists 2026-27 tuition and fees of $373.38 per credit hour for Florida residents and $1,439.75 for others. Rutgers-Newark lists $1,363 per credit for New Jersey residents and $2,389 out of state.

Format matters too. Florida Gulf Coast lets you finish in the face-to-face format or the synchronous online format, and Rutgers-Newark live-streams its courses from the Newark classroom so you can attend in person or through video conferencing.

Build a simple table with the rate, the credits, your residency and any guarantee, then compare the total for each school.