Report card: Student interest in accounting shows marked improvement

A 24% enrollment spike in accounting programs at two-year institutions highlights a strong spring semester for interest in the profession among college students.

Total undergraduate enrollment in accounting programs increased 12% year-over-year for the 2025 spring semester to 266,507 students, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. That represents 29,312 more accounting students than in the spring of 2024.

Accounting enrollment at two-year institutions rose 24% to 77,936 students. Four-year institutions saw an 11% increase in accounting enrollment, for a total of 188,571 students. Graduate school enrollment by program wasn’t included in the data, but in a recent Graduate Management Admission Council survey, nearly three-fourths of master’s in accounting programs reported an increase in applications in 2024.

“More bright minds are choosing accounting, where graduates find dynamic career opportunities that draw on a mix of skills and backgrounds,” Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA, the AICPA’s CEO–Public Accounting, said in a news release. “It’s inspiring to see positive trends in student interest. Enrollment growth underscores the need to continue to raise awareness of the benefits of accounting careers. Building future talent also hinges on continuing to make the path into accounting more accessible and the work, once there, rewarding.”

A survey conducted in April by the AICPA in partnership with the Future Accountants Sponsoring Organizations identified increased job demand and earning potential as the top reasons among 786 accounting majors across 101 schools for choosing the field of study. Those results align with recent research by the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) showing an increased awareness and improved perceptions of the accounting profession among high school and early college students.

To capitalize on the enrollment spike at two-year institutions, the American Accounting Association Foundation is hosting a Two-Year Bridge Symposium at multiple locations in the fall. The CAQ, which is affiliated with the AICPA, is among the sponsors of the event, one of a multitude of efforts across the profession to address the need for talent:

• The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy recently approved changes to the Uniform Accountancy Act model legislative framework introducing a new pathway to CPA licensure aligning with laws being adopted on the state level. Related initiatives by CPA firms, state societies, boards of accountancy, and others are providing greater support for candidates taking the CPA Exam. 
• The Accounting Opportunities Experience program delivered more than 1,000 presentations to 40,000 students last year, touting the stability of accounting jobs and the broad array of career paths.
• The National Pipeline Advisory Group’s Pipeline Pledge continues to encourage those benefiting from the profession to connect with students and share career experiences.

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com.