2023 Most Affordable Online Forensic Accounting Degrees

An online bachelor's degree in forensic accounting can set you up for a career in this specialty practice by training you how to analyze financial data in order to investigate potential crimes — from embezzlement to bankruptcy. If you are interested in complex problem-solving and have an eye for numbers and patterns, an online degree in forensic accounting could be the perfect fit for you. If you're more interested in a general accounting degree, check out the most affordable accounting degrees for a broader range of options.
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Rank | School | Locations | Annual Tuition |
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Pennsylvania Western University | Clarion (PA) | $8,334 | |
Champlain College | Burlington (VT) | $9,540 | |
Southern New Hampshire University Online | Manchester (NH) | $9,600 | |
Franklin University | Columbus (OH) | $12,338 | |
University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima (OH) | $12,375 | |
Culver-Stockton College | Canton (MO) | $12,850 | |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide | Daytona Beach (FL) | $13,410 | |
DeSales University | Center Valley (PA) | $15,690 | |
Purdue Global | Indianapolis (IN) | $16,695 | |
Eastern Oregon University | La Grande (OR) | $18,300 |
Pennsylvania Western University Clarion (PA) Clarion University (Clarion) is a public university that offers an online Bachelor of Science or Arts in Accounting - Internal Audit and Forensic Accounting, which requires 120 credit hours. Students may finish this program in about four years with a full-time schedule. Clarion's acceptance rate for new students is 94%, and the school's graduation rate is 51%. At Clarion Online, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is entirely online. The internal audit and forensic accounting curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in finance and forensic-focused careers. Core courses in this program include Internal Auditing, Cost Accounting, and Forensic Accounting and Fraud.
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Champlain College Burlington (VT) Champlain College is a private institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting - Forensic Accounting through Champlain College Online (CCO). This online degree requires 120 credit hours, and students can typically complete it in four years at a full-time pace. However, since Champlain accepts up to 90 credit hours from a previous institution, students can potentially graduate even sooner. The acceptance rate at Champlain is 85%, and the graduation rate is 64%. CCO students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous. The forensic accounting curriculum provides students with knowledge of criminal law and its relation to cybercrime in the accounting arena. Core courses in this major include Digital Forensic Investigation Techniques, Cybercrime, and Law of Searching and Seizing Digital Evidence. Graduates often work as account executives, auditors, agents, and information security analysts.
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Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH) Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Accounting - Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, which requires a total of 120 credit hours. However, students can finish this four-year program faster if they already have some college credit. SNHU accepts up to 90 credits from previous institutions. Overall, SNHU's acceptance rate is 94% and 40% of those accepted graduate with their degrees. At SNHU Online, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is fully online and delivered synchronously. SNHU's forensic accounting program focuses on traditional accounting knowledge, the auditing process, and ways to prevent cybercrime. Core courses include Investigating with Computers, Detection/Prevention of Fraudulent Financial Statements, and Managerial Accounting. Graduates may work with accounting firms, insurance companies, law offices, and governmental agencies.
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Franklin University Columbus (OH) Franklin University (Franklin) is a private institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting. This degree program requires 124 credit hours, and full-time students typically finish in four years. Franklin has a 100% acceptance rate and a 36% graduation rate. At Franklin, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is 100% online and asynchronous. The forensic accounting curriculum teaches students using industry standards based on the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the auditing standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the fraud detection and prevention techniques of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Core courses in this program include Interview Techniques and Legal Elements in Fraud Investigations, Principles of Finance, and Accounting Ethics and Professional Responsibilities. To graduate, students must also complete a capstone project.
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University of Northwestern Ohio Lima (OH) The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) is a private institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Accounting - Forensic Accounting, which requires 180 credit hours. The program can typically be completed in four years with a full-time schedule, though students who transfer with associate degrees can graduate much sooner. The acceptance rate at UNOH is 100%, and the graduation rate is 44%. At UNOH, students use the learning management system, MyUNOH, to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Core courses include Litigation, Survey of Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting, and Legal Implications of Fraud Examinations. To graduate, students must also complete a capstone course. UNOH's forensic accounting program provides students with the skills and knowledge to become certified fraud accountants, plant controllers, and certified internal auditors — among other careers in the field.
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Culver-Stockton College Canton (MO) Culver-Stockton College (C-SC) is a private institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Forensic Accounting, which requires 120 credit hours. Students typically complete this program in four years if they maintain a full-time schedule. The acceptance rate at C-SC is 98%, while the graduation rate is 52%. At C-SC, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous. The bachelor's in criminal justice prepares students to work as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, social workers, and nonprofit managers. Core courses include Fraud Prevention through Internal Controls, Criminology, and Auditing. Students must also complete a senior seminar and internship before graduation.
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach (FL) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide (ERAU) is a private institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security - Forensic Accounting, which requires 123 credit hours. Students can complete this program in four years at a full-time pace. ERAU's acceptance rate is 63%, and the school's graduation rate is 36%. ERAU students use Canvas to access their virtual coursework, which is fully online, and they may work on either a full- or part-time schedule. The forensic accounting concentration provides students with the skills to conduct strategic planning, build continuity plans, and design exercises for emergencies. Core courses in the program include Managerial Accounting; Critical Infrastructure Security, Resilience, and Risk Analysis; and Cybercrime and Cyberlaw. To graduate, students must complete the homeland security capstone course. Alumni are qualified to work in the field of homeland security.
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DeSales University Center Valley (PA) DeSales University (DSU) is a private, Roman Catholic institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting - Forensic Accounting. This online program requires 120 credit hours, but students can transfer up to 70 credit hours from another institution. Full-time students can finish their degree anywhere from two to four years. DSU has a fairly high acceptance rate of 82%, and the graduation rate is 61%. At DSU, students use Blackboard to access their 100% online coursework. Overall, the forensic accounting curriculum helps students acquire practical knowledge of auditing procedures and techniques as applied to accounting transaction cycles. Core courses in this program include The Legal Environment of Business, White Collar Crime, and Corporate Financial Reporting. Students must also complete three Christian values and theology courses in order to graduate.
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Purdue Global Indianapolis (IN) Purdue Global is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Accounting - Auditing and Forensic Accountancy, which requires 120 credit hours. Typically, this program takes four years to complete with a full-time schedule. Purdue's acceptance rate is 100%, while its graduation rate rests at 30%. At Purdue Global, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is entirely online. The auditing and forensic accountancy program provides students with the investigational skills and accounting knowledge to recognize and prevent fraud. Core courses in this program include Auditing, Advanced Forensic Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis. Alumni may find work as financial examiners, revenue agents, and budget analysts.
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Eastern Oregon University La Grande (OR) Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science or Arts in Accounting - Forensic Accounting, which requires 113 credit hours. Students generally take up to four years to finish their degree, but they have to keep up with a full course load. Overall, the acceptance rate at EOU is 94%, and the graduation rate is 40%. At EOU, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is all online. Students may take courses that are delivered either synchronously or asynchronously. The forensic accounting curriculum at EOU prepares students to take professional certificates, such as the CPA exam, the Certified Managerial Accountant, and the Certified Fraud Examiner. Core courses in this program include Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, Interviewing Techniques for Fraud Investigation, and Internal Control Systems.
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