US accounting enrolment climbs for third consecutive year

Undergraduate enrolment in accounting programmes at US colleges and universities increased for the third year in a row in autumn 2025, growing by 7.3% year over year (YoY), according to National Student Clearinghouse data.

Overall undergraduate enrolment across all majors increased by 1.2% over the same period, the Final Fall Enrolment Trends report shows.

The latest gain follows an 11.3% rise in autumn 2024 and a 1.9% increase in 2023 for undergraduate accounting programmes.

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) public accounting CEO Susan Coffey said: “Three straight years of growth is energising for the profession.

“The fact that enrolment was up this fall versus competitive fields of study signals that students are seeing the purpose, trust, value and financial security that accounting delivers – and they are choosing it.

“Workforce development and talent readiness are a significant focus for us. Partnering with stakeholders to make our profession more accessible and rewarding remains a critical priority.”

Total post-secondary accounting enrolment across all institution types reached 313,397 students in 2025, up from 293,759 a year earlier.

The figures include intake in four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, hybrid institutions that mainly offer associate’s degrees and graduate schools.

At four-year undergraduate institutions, accounting enrolment rose 7.4% to 204,283 students in autumn 2025, a third successive annual increase.

Overall enrolment at four-year institutions across all disciplines rose 1.4% at public universities but declined at private institutions, according to the report.

Accounting also strengthened its position within business schools. In the fall of 2025, one in eight undergraduate business students majored in accounting, compared with one in nine in 2023.

At the graduate level, accounting enrolment edged up by just under 0.5% to 25,580 students.

The marginal increase, however, outpaced growth in overall graduate business, management and marketing programmes, and represents the first YoY rise in graduate accounting enrolment since 2019.

The AICPA said it continues to collaborate with educators, accounting practices, and other employers and organisations to support workforce development and promote career paths in the field.

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