Looking for a Doctorate Degree in Accounting in California? You should consider these top-tier PhD programs and jobs in the Accounting field.
Credit: Bi Nguyen | EyeEm | Getty Images
TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
You gain all of the skills and knowledge you require to succeed by studying the best degrees in California for accounting. With a doctoral degree, graduates are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths. A doctoral degree is a great way to prepare for advanced roles.
Accounting Doctorate Programs for You
Working and Living in California in the Accounting Profession
In an accounting program, you will study the language of business, advanced mathematics, and economics. You'll also learn about accounting and information systems, auditing, and management.
The annual wage in California is $47,920, or $23.04 per hour. All 16,529,810 employees in California are included in this statistic. Generally speaking, lower-earning professionals in the state make $29,780 annually, while the highest incomes are $130,430. For accountants and auditors in California, the following is a good comparison.
Key
Accountants and Auditors in California
Accountants and Auditors Nationally
All Occupations in California
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Accountants and Auditors in California and Nationwide
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Based on the MERIC cost of living index, California ranks number 49 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.). This index measures the cost of living in specific places within the United States. The U.S. average is 100, and all locations are either above or below that average. The cost of living index for California is 139.8, which is 39.8% higher than the national average. On the following page, you will find a comparison of the average cost of groceries, housing, utilities, etc. in California and the country.
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.
End of interactive chart.
A 6.9% increase in accountants and auditors is projected for the next decade. Based on projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the total employment in the occupation will change from 1,392,200 in 2020 to 1,488,200 by 2030. This position requires a doctoral degree. There are a number of typical job titles, including:
Accountants and auditors
Account Auditor
Accountant
Auditor
Auditor-In-Charge
CPA
Certified Public Accountant
Cost Accountant
Field Auditor
Financial Accountant
Doctoral Degrees in Accounting in California
#1 Ph.D. Degrees in Accounting in California
Northcentral University
La Jolla, CA
4 years
Online
Doctoral students seeking an online accounting program benefit from the DBA in advanced accounting program at Northcentral University. Thanks to a flexible format, the private institution makes it easier to complete a doctorate. Doctoral students participate in career counseling and benefit from research support.
Learners take doctoral classes in the DBA program. Doctoral candidates move through the program by passing exams and researching a dissertation project. As the highest degree in accounting, the doctorate trains graduates for academic, research, and leadership careers.
The accredited institution meets federal requirements for financial aid support. Contact the program for more information about research support and financial aid.
Northcentral University at a Glance:
Online Master's Programs: 26
Online Doctoral Programs: 15
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 3-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $16,983
Average Tuition
In-state
$11,064
Out-of-state
$11,064
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
12,471
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Financing a Doctoral Degree in Accounting
Financial aid can help students lower the cost of a degree. A scholarship, grant, fellowship, or work-study program helps many students reduce the cost of college. There are some students who qualify to receive federal and private student loans to pay for school. A number of colleges offer scholarships and financial aid.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
Apply for federal student aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Make sure you ask your school's financial aid department about scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan options.
Average Cost of Attending College in California
In California, tuition and other costs will vary by institution. A number of similarities exist among both public and private institutions. Take a look at the information below to decide whether attending a public institution is right for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: California vs. National Average
Key
California
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Could you consider attending a private college or university? Generally, private schools charge higher tuition fees. A graph that provides information about attending private colleges in California is available here.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: California vs. National Average
Key
California
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Federal Student Loan Information
Are you considering borrowing student loans to pay for your education? Prior to committing to a loan, you should take a few things into consideration.
You must ensure that you will be able to make all of the payments on time when it becomes time to repay the loan.
Consider whether or not a degree from a particular school will help you reach your career goals if you decide to obtain one from that school.
In order to avoid undue hardship once you enter the workforce, make sure that you understand the type of repayment schedule that will apply to your loans.
You can review the data below to learn how much students typically borrow.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
In addition to the cost and size of classes, an online degree differs from an on-campus degree. Among the advantages of an online degree program are flexibility, affordability, and convenience. There are typically higher fees associated with on-campus degrees. However, as a result of attending classes in person, numerous benefits can be gained.
The advantages of attending a private college as opposed to a public school can be seen in a number of ways. Private colleges tend to be more expensive than public colleges. There are government-funded grants and scholarships that provide students with financial aid to pay for their education at public institutions. Merit scholarships at private schools are often available to students who demonstrate superior academic performance.
At private colleges, students are able to interact more closely with faculty. Listed below are some benefits and drawbacks of attending a private institution versus a public one.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
In California, what is the salary for accountants and auditors?
Accountants and auditors make a mean annual salary of $92,840 in California.
Are graduates of accounting programs in high demand or not?
The total number of accountants and auditors is projected to change by 6.9% from 2020 to 2030.
Can you get a doctoral degree in accounting online?
A doctoral degree in accounting is possible to obtain online. In today's climate, most schools offer some form of online education.
How long does it usually take to complete a doctoral degree?
A full-time doctoral degree normally takes 4-6 years to complete. For part-time learners, the completion time will vary.
Popular with our students.
Highly informative resources to keep your education journey on track.
Take the next step toward your future with online learning.
Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.