Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a crucial role in providing education to African American students, and this has been true for accounting education as well. Across the United States, there are many excellent HBCUs that offer accounting programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Here, we highlight the best HBCU for accounting based on factors such as affordability, accreditation, faculty expertise, and student outcomes.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida, is the best HBCU for accounting. FAMU offers undergraduate and graduate accounting programs that are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the top accrediting body for business programs. The undergraduate program consists of 120 credit hours and includes courses in financial accounting, cost accounting, taxation, auditing, and business law. The graduate program requires 30 credit hours and is designed for students pursuing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
FAMU’s accounting program stands out for its affordability. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, FAMU’s average net price for the 2018-2019 academic year was $10,735, well below the national average for public four-year institutions. Additionally, FAMU offers scholarships and financial aid to qualifying students to help cover the cost of tuition.
Another strength of FAMU’s accounting program is its faculty expertise. The accounting faculty includes Certified Public Accountants with years of experience practicing in the field, as well as PhDs who are active researchers in accounting and related fields. Faculty members often collaborate with students on research projects and engage in professional development activities to keep up with current trends and developments in the accounting profession.
Finally, FAMU’s accounting program has a strong record of student outcomes. According to the university’s 2020 Factbook, the overall pass rate for FAMU accounting students taking the CPA exam in 2019 was 52%, well above the national average pass rate of 50.7% for all first-time test-takers. Additionally, FAMU’s accounting graduates have successfully pursued careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, financial planning, and government accounting.
In conclusion, FAMU is the best HBCU for accounting due to its affordability, accreditation, faculty expertise, and strong record of student outcomes. However, there are many other excellent HBCUs across the country that offer accounting programs, and students should carefully research and compare their options to find the program that best meets their needs and goals.
