2023 Most Affordable Online Master's in Taxation Degrees

Southern Utah University (SUU) is a public institution offering a Master of Accountancy - Taxation, which full-time students can typically finish in two years. Requiring 72 credits, this online degree program includes a 42-undergraduate-credit base. SUU has a 76% acceptance rate, and 53% of students graduate with degrees.

At SUU, students use the learning management system (LMS), Canvas, for their digital coursework, which they can finish 100% online and at their own pace. The curriculum teaches students to effectively communicate relevant tax and accounting information using quantitative analysis and information technology. Required coursework includes Taxes for Pass Through Entities, Auditing, and Advanced Accounting Data Analytics. To graduate, students must also complete an accounting ethics seminar. Alums are prepared to complete the CPA exam and pursue careers in private or corporate accounting firms.

Mississippi State University (MS State) is a public university with a Master of Taxation requiring 30 credit hours. Students may complete this program in just two years if they can maintain a full-time schedule. The acceptance rate at MS State is 80%. They have a 60% graduation rate.

Students at MS State Online utilize Canvas as their primary learning software for remote students. The curriculum for the master's in taxation explores the fields of business and accounting, with an emphasis on information technology and governmental control measures. Required classes include Tax Topics, Fraud and Data Analysis Examination, and Financial Accounting Policy. Before graduation, students are also required to complete a seminar in financial accounting theory. Graduates may go on to enter careers as private accountants, auditors, and fraud examiners.

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private institution offering a Master of Accounting. This program requires 30 credit hours, which full-time students can finish in two years. WGU accepts all students who apply, and its graduation rate is 54%.

Students at WGU use Moodle for all remote coursework, which students can complete 100% online and on a flexible schedule. The curriculum covers government regulations, tax structure, financial laws, and the economy on a global scale. All coursework is designed to prepare students for their CPA and CMA exams, such as the following core courses at WGU: Advanced Tax Concepts and Advanced Auditing. Graduates of this program may pursue careers as financial professionals with public or private organizations.

Regent University Online (Regent) is a private, Christian university with a Master of Science in Accounting – Tax requiring 30 credit hours. Typically, students complete this program in two years while studying full time. Regent's acceptance rate is 50%, with 30% of students graduating.

Canvas is the primary LMS for online students at Regent. This software allows learners to complete their degrees virtually without ever setting foot on campus. The curriculum helps prepare students for the CPA exam by exploring topics in federal income taxation, financial theory and ethics, and auditing. Core courses include Research and Professional Practice, Advanced Tax C-Corporations, and Advanced Tax S-Corporations and Partnerships. Alumni are eligible to pursue careers as accountants, auditors, and analysts.

Bellevue University (Bellevue) is a private university offering a Master of Business Administration - Tax. This program requires 36 credits — 30 of which students must complete at Bellevue. Students may complete this in two years if they study on a full-time schedule. At Bellevue, the acceptance rate for new students is 100%, while the graduation rate rests at 50%.

Bellevue uses Cyber-Active Online Classroom to administer their remote coursework, allowing students to complete their degrees 100% online. The MBA with a concentration in tax looks at both personal and business income tax through the regulatory standards of the IRS. Required classes include Taxation of Business Entities, Taxation of Flow-Through Entities, and Tax Planning and Strategies. Bellevue also offers a Master of Science in Accounting - Tax, which devotes 9 credits to advanced tax strategies and procedures. Graduates often become registered tax return preparers.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public university where students can earn an Executive Master of Taxation. This is a two-year degree for students who maintain a full-time schedule. The university does note that classes are not paused during the Spring tax season. The acceptance rate at FAU is 75%, and 61% of enrolled students graduate.

Canvas is the university's LMS, allowing students to choose whether they finish their coursework online or in a hybrid format. In addition, some lectures are presented in an asynchronous format, meaning that students can study at their own pace. During the taxation program, students learn about forensic accounting tactics and the processes, procedures, and theories related to governmental and personal taxation. Core classes include Internal Auditing, Accounting Application in E-Commerce, and Financial Statement Analysis Concepts and Applications. Alums are eligible to pursue careers as auditors, CPAs, and accountants.

Purdue University Global (Purdue Global) is a public university offering a Master of Science in Accounting - Tax, which requires 52 credits. Students can potentially complete this degree in 1.5 years while studying full time. Purdue Global accepts 100% of students who submit applications, and 30% of enrolled students graduate with their degrees.

Purdue Global uses Brightspace as its LMS. Through this digital platform, students can take virtual courses at a flexible pace. The graduate program in taxation focuses on the Internal Revenue Code, treasury regulations, and state/federal taxes through the lens of tax research. Students are required to take major courses, such as Financial Accounting and Reporting, Regulation, and Advanced Auditing. Career opportunities after graduation include tax accountants, auditors, and analysts, to name a few options.

Bay Path University (Bay Path) is a private university. They offer a Master of Science in Accounting - Public Accounting which requires 30 credit hours. Students can finish this online degree as quickly as one year if they maintain a full-time schedule, including while taking summer courses. Bay Path has a 75% acceptance rate, along with a 55% graduation rate.

Canvas is the primary LMS for Bay Path students, allowing them to complete their degree 100% online. The master's in accounting degree with a concentration in public accounting emphasizes taxation. Specifically, the curriculum features four pillars of study: law, audit, cost accounting, and tax. Core classes include Advanced Taxation for Corporations and Pass-Through Entities, Advanced Auditing, and Gift and Estate Taxation. Most students graduate in the pursuit of a CPA position.

The National Juris University is the graduate division of National Paralegal College (NPC), a private institution offering a Master of Science in Taxation. This program requires 36 credits, which can take students anywhere from 12 to 36 months to finish, depending on how many courses they take at a time. NPC accepts all who apply, but only 43% of students graduate.

Students at NPC use the SHRM Learning System for their coursework, which allows for 100% virtual learning. The curriculum explores complex tax issues in both business and personal contexts; advanced tax research; and the principles, laws, and concepts that guide taxation. The core taxation courses at NPC include Partnership Taxation, Tax Research and Policy, and Federal Income Taxation. Students are also required to complete a culminating project. Graduates may go on to work as tax preparers or acquire tax advisory roles.

Liberty University (LU) is a private, Christian institution that offers a Master of Science in Accounting - Taxation. This program requires 30 credits hours, and full-time students may complete it in just one year. The acceptance rate at LU is 50%, and it has a graduation rate of 34%.

LU Online uses Canvas as its learning management platform, where students can take all online courses toward their degree. The school's master's degree in accounting with a concentration in taxation prepares students to become tax professionals by teaching both fundamental and advanced tax law and regulations. Required classes include Advanced Cost Accounting; Tax Research and Jurisprudence; and Estate, Trust, and Gift Taxation. After graduating, alums are prepared to take the CPA exam and become professional tax preparers.