By Audience

Best Forensic Accounting Degrees for Working Adults in 2027

Find a forensic accounting degree for working adults in 2027: evening, online and flexible programs, ranked by score.

Top Overall Pick

West Virginia University

Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination

West Virginia

Score
100.0of 100
Cost
$1,063per credit
Length
30credits
Read our WVU M.S. Forensic and Fraud Examination review

Programs Ranked

21

Schools

17

Degree Levels

3

Fully Online Programs

21

Checked on Schools' Own Pages

October 15, 2026

How We Score the Programs on This List

Eight factors, published weights, the same for every program. Read the Methodology

Forensic Training · 50%

  • Forensic Focus20%
  • Investigative Skill Coverage10%
  • Hands-On Casework10%
  • Credential Pathway10%

Value and Outcomes · 50%

  • Cost15%
  • Graduate Earnings15%
  • Completion10%
  • Program Reputation10%

A forensic accounting degree for working adults is realistic, and plenty of schools have built programs for exactly that. Online courses, short terms, monthly starts and generous transfer credit make it workable. Many also help you prepare for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure. Some sit in schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Top Picks

The Top Program at Each Degree Level

The top-scoring forensic accounting programs at each degree level on this list.

The cards and table below use short forms for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

Only show programs with

21 programs in rank order. Filter or sort to narrow them down.

Master's

Forensic Accounting Master's Degrees Ranked for 2027

  1. Rank #1 Master's

    West Virginia University

    Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • West Virginia
    • AACSB Accredited
    • CFE Exam Prep

    100.0 / 100

    Highest score among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Built to support experienced, non-traditional professionals like you returning to the classroom, this program is asynchronous, with no required live meeting times beyond two virtual residencies. Courses run eight weeks, and students complete the program in one to two years. Two years of related professional experience can stand in for the accounting prerequisites, and no graduate admissions test is required.

    Per Credit
    $1,063
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $31,890
    Graduate Pay
    $98,517
    • Credential Pathway10
    • Investigative Skill Coverage9.3
    • Program Reputation8.3
    See All 8 Scores
  2. Rank #2 Master's

    Murray State University

    Master of Public Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Kentucky
    • AACSB Accredited
    • CFE Exam Prep

    97.9 / 100

    One of the lowest prices among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Murray State delivers this program in an accelerated format that it describes as ideal for working professionals. With seven-week courses and a fully online setup, you can fit class around your job and finish in a year at the fastest. You pay for each course as you go, and admission asks for an undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

    Per Credit
    $472
    Credits
    36
    Est. Tuition
    $16,974
    Length
    12 months
    • Cost10
    • Credential Pathway10
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7.9
    See All 7 Scores
  3. Rank #3 Master's

    Murray State University

    Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Kentucky
    • AACSB Accredited
    • CFE Exam Prep

    97.0 / 100

    One of the lowest prices among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Seven-week courses let you move through this online business master's in as few as 12-18 months. With a 3.25 grade point average you need no work experience to apply, and a 3.0 average plus two years of relevant full-time work also qualifies, so your job history counts toward admission. Advisement and support from faculty are part of the plan.

    Per Credit
    $606
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $18,180
    Length
    12 to 18 months
    • Credential Pathway10
    • Investigative Skill Coverage8.2
    • Completion7.6
    See All 7 Scores
  4. Rank #4 Master's

    Saint Xavier University

    Master of Business Administration, Fraud Examination and Management

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Illinois
    • AACSB Accredited
    • CFE Exam Prep

    90.8 / 100

    Top 3 for hands-on casework among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    This is an evening program designed for working professionals, and you can take it full-time or part-time. Depending on the schedule you choose, finishing takes about a year to 20 months. Every class can be taken online, so coursework fits around your job, and eight-week sessions keep each course short.

    Per Credit
    $799
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $23,970
    Length
    12 to 20 months
    • Credential Pathway10
    • Completion8.7
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7.8
    See All 7 Scores
  5. Rank #5 Master's

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute

    Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting and Valuation Concentration

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • New York
    • AACSB Accredited

    89.7 / 100

    One of the lowest prices among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Full-time students can finish within an 18 month period, while part-time students set their own pace by the credits they take each term. Continuous registration keeps you enrolled for up to six semesters while you finish requirements. Everything is online, and every application is reviewed for a waiver of the graduate business admissions test.

    Per Credit
    $565
    Credits
    33
    Est. Tuition
    $18,645
    Graduate Pay
    $92,584
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Cost8.3
    • Investigative Skill Coverage8.3
    See All 8 Scores
  6. Rank #6 Master's

    University of Massachusetts-Amherst

    Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting Focus

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Massachusetts
    • AACSB Accredited

    87.9 / 100

    Top 3 for program reputation among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Built for maximum flexibility, this program lets you take online classes in fall, spring and summer to fit around your schedule. Part-time students can take up to four years, while full-time students can finish in under a year. If you want to meet in person, Isenberg offers weekend and evening opportunities at the Charles River Campus in Newton, Massachusetts.

    Per Credit
    $850
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $25,500
    Graduate Pay
    $109,628
    • Graduate Earnings10
    • Program Reputation9.4
    • Completion9.3
    See All 8 Scores
  7. Rank #7 Master's

    Stevenson University

    Master of Science in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Maryland

    87.7 / 100

    Top 3 for program reputation among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    A certified public accountant in the program says its online flexibility lets him balance a busy career with his education. The school built its flexible schedule for working professionals, and courses run eight weeks each. You can finish in two years or less, and up to 15 credits of prior coursework and experience can count toward the degree.

    Per Credit
    $719
    Credits
    36
    Est. Tuition
    $25,884
    Graduate Pay
    $86,344
    • Program Reputation9.1
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7.3
    • Credential Pathway7
    See All 8 Scores
  8. Rank #8 Master's

    York College of Pennsylvania

    Master of Accounting in Fraud and Forensics

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Pennsylvania
    • CFE Exam Prep

    86.5 / 100

    Top 3 for hands-on casework among master's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Online courses in five seven-week sessions a year let you keep working while you earn the degree, and part-time students typically finish in two years. York has partnered with community organizations and businesses so employees can study at a discount while they continue to work for their employer. When you apply, you share your transcripts and any professional certifications you hold.

    Per Credit
    $710
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $21,300
    Length
    12 to 24 months
    • Credential Pathway8
    • Hands-On Casework7.4
    • Investigative Skill Coverage6.8
    See All 7 Scores
  9. Rank #9 Master's

    Colorado State University Global

    Master's Degree With a Fraud and Financial Crimes Specialization

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Colorado

    70.8 / 100

    Forensic Program Score

    Fitting It Around Work

    Because there are no set meeting times or locations, you can fit these four courses around a job. A new class begins monthly, so you start when your work life allows, and each course lasts only eight weeks. The 12 credit hours are upper-division courses that pair with a master's such as Business Administration, Data Analytics, Finance or Management.

    Per Credit
    $675
    Credits
    12
    Graduate Pay
    $94,130
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7
    • Credential Pathway7
    • Cost6.1
    See All 8 Scores
  10. Rank #10 Master's

    Seton Hill University

    Master of Business Administration, Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Specialization

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Pennsylvania
    • CFE Exam Prep

    68.5 / 100

    Forensic Program Score

    Fitting It Around Work

    Evening, Saturday and online classes are all open to you, so the degree can fit around your job. Two courses per eight-week term finish the program in a year, and one course per term stretches it over two. Business-related majors are preferred, other majors are considered, and you may be able to take prerequisite coursework alongside your first classes.

    Per Credit
    $1,015
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $30,450
    Length
    12 to 24 months
    • Credential Pathway8
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7.3
    • Completion6.5
    See All 7 Scores

Bachelor's

Forensic Accounting Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2027

  1. Rank #1 Bachelor's

    Franklin University

    Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Ohio
    • CFE Exam Prep

    89.4 / 100

    Highest score among bachelor's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Classes are 100% online in 6 and 12-week courses, so you can study around your job instead of rearranging it. At full-time status with average transfer credits, the program takes 21 months. Because up to 94 earlier college credits can transfer, the time you have already invested in college keeps counting, and academic advisors help with the transfer process.

    Per Credit
    $398
    Credits
    124
    Est. Tuition
    $49,352
    Graduate Pay
    $65,816
    • Cost9.1
    • Credential Pathway8
    • Program Reputation7.5
    See All 8 Scores
  2. Rank #2 Bachelor's

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • New Hampshire
    • CFE Exam Prep

    77.0 / 100

    Top 3 for investigative skill coverage among bachelor's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Fully online classes let you learn around your schedule, and with six undergraduate terms each year there is always a chance to begin. You can transfer up to 90 credits, or bring in credit for work and life experience, exams and certifications. Your employer may also offer tuition reimbursement or an online tuition discount through a partnership with the university.

    Per Credit
    $354
    Credits
    120
    Est. Tuition
    $42,480
    Graduate Pay
    $70,181
    • Cost9.8
    • Credential Pathway8
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7
    See All 8 Scores
  3. Rank #3 Bachelor's

    Lakeland University

    Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Fraud and Forensic Emphasis

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Wisconsin

    55.0 / 100

    Top 3 for completion among bachelor's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    The adult evening and online program lets you sit in class one night per week at one of six center locations in Wisconsin, or learn from home. You can graduate in as little as three years, and 54 percent of students who start the accounting degree at Lakeland without transferring finish in under four. A cooperative education option adds paid work experience toward the degree.

    Per Credit
    $550
    Credits
    121
    Est. Tuition
    $66,550
    Graduate Pay
    $66,815
    • Completion8.9
    • Cost7.1
    • Investigative Skill Coverage4.5
    See All 8 Scores
  4. Rank #4 Bachelor's

    Louisiana State University-Alexandria

    Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Fraud and Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Louisiana

    45.8 / 100

    One of the lowest prices among bachelor's programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    Because the degree is delivered completely online in seven-week terms, you can fit coursework around a job from wherever you live. Transfer students qualify with a transferable associate degree or higher, and credit for prior learning is available, so earlier college credits or industry credentials may apply toward the degree. Your academic advisor works with you to see how they count.

    Per Credit
    $353
    Credits
    120
    Est. Tuition
    $42,360
    • Cost9.8
    • Credential Pathway7
    • Program Reputation1.6
    See All 7 Scores

Graduate Certificate

Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificates Ranked for 2027

  1. Rank #1 Graduate Certificate

    Murray State University

    Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Kentucky
    • AACSB Accredited

    95.9 / 100

    Highest score among graduate certificate programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    This certificate is 100 percent online with asynchronous coursework, so you can work full time while studying on your own schedule. Each course lasts 7 weeks, and you apply with an undergraduate degree and a 2.0 grade point average or higher. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and faculty offer personal attention, advisement and support along the way.

    Per Credit
    $606
    Credits
    9
    Est. Tuition
    $5,454
    Length
    8 to 10 months
    • Cost9.2
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Forensic Focus7.8
    See All 7 Scores
  2. Rank #2 Graduate Certificate

    West Virginia University

    Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • West Virginia
    • AACSB Accredited

    95.3 / 100

    Top hands-on casework score among graduate certificate programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    This online certificate is tailored for practicing accountants, corporate security officers and legal professionals, and it takes about a year of eight-week courses. You need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a resume, with no entrance exam. You also learn alongside practitioners and expert faculty, including Dr. David P. Weber, a Certified Fraud Examiner and teaching professor.

    Per Credit
    $1,063
    Credits
    12
    Est. Tuition
    $12,756
    Length
    12 months
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Program Reputation7.9
    • Forensic Focus7.5
    See All 7 Scores
  3. Rank #3 Graduate Certificate

    Northeastern University

    Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Massachusetts
    • AACSB Accredited

    94.5 / 100

    Top completion score among graduate certificate programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    The online format provides ease and flexibility for working professionals. The school lists a completion time of 6 to 12 months for the four courses and 12 semester hours. Admission is rolling, and the certificate suits you if you want to improve current skills or begin a specialized accounting career. You may be able to apply your credits to an eligible master's program.

    Per Credit
    $2,031
    Credits
    12
    Est. Tuition
    $19,836
    Length
    6 to 12 months
    • Completion9.7
    • Program Reputation9.7
    • Credential Pathway9
    See All 7 Scores
  4. Rank #4 Graduate Certificate

    George Mason University

    Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Virginia
    • AACSB Accredited

    85.8 / 100

    Top 3 for completion among graduate certificate programs

    Fitting It Around Work

    This certificate is built for part-time study alongside a job, with a choice of fully online asynchronous courses or hybrid classes at the Fairfax campus. Eight-week sessions keep each course compact, and you can complete the certificate in one or two semesters. It is 12 credits, with three required fraud courses and one elective, and you have six years from admission to finish.

    Per Credit
    $1,025
    Credits
    12
    Est. Tuition
    $12,300
    Length
    1 or 2 semesters
    • Completion9.1
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Program Reputation8.5
    See All 7 Scores

Side by Side

Compare Every Program Side by Side

All 21 forensic accounting programs on this list in one table. Sort any column; the order you see first is the ranking.

For Working Adults: every ranked program
Rank School and Program Degree Score Cost per Credit Credits Delivery
1 West Virginia University M.S. Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination Master's 100.0 $1,063 30 Fully Online
2 Murray State University MPA Master of Public Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting Master's 97.9 $471.50 36 Fully Online
3 Murray State University MBA Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting Master's 97.0 $606 30 Fully Online
4 Saint Xavier University MBA Master of Business Administration, Fraud Examination and Management Master's 90.8 $799 30 Fully Online
5 SUNY Polytechnic Institute M.S. Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting and Valuation Concentration Master's 89.7 $565 33 Fully Online
6 University of Massachusetts-Amherst M.S. Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting Focus Master's 87.9 $850 30 Fully Online, asynchronous
7 Stevenson University M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting Master's 87.7 $719 36 Fully Online
8 York College of Pennsylvania M.Acc. Master of Accounting in Fraud and Forensics Master's 86.5 $710 30 Fully Online
9 Colorado State University Global Graduate Specialization Master's Degree With a Fraud and Financial Crimes Specialization Master's 70.8 12 Fully Online
10 Seton Hill University M.B.A. Master of Business Administration, Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Specialization Master's 68.5 $1,015 30 Fully Online
11 Roosevelt University M.S. Master of Science in Accounting Forensics Master's 67.7 30 Fully Online
12 Colorado State University Global M.P.Acc. Master of Professional Accountancy, Fraud Investigations and Forensic Accounting Emphasis Master's 67.3 $675 30 Fully Online, asynchronous
13 University of Scranton M.Acc. Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Specialization Master's 56.4 $895 30 Fully Online
1 Franklin University B.S. Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting Bachelor's 89.4 $398 124 Fully Online
2 Southern New Hampshire University B.S. Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Bachelor's 77.0 $354 120 Fully Online
3 Lakeland University B.A. Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Fraud and Forensic Emphasis Bachelor's 55.0 $550 121 Fully Online
4 Louisiana State University-Alexandria B.S. Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Fraud and Forensic Accounting Bachelor's 45.8 $353 120 Fully Online
1 Murray State University Graduate Certificate Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate 95.9 $606 9 Fully Online
2 West Virginia University Graduate Certificate Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Graduate Certificate 95.3 $1,063 12 Fully Online
3 Northeastern University Graduate Certificate Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate 94.5 12 Fully Online
4 George Mason University Graduate Certificate Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate 85.8 $1,025 12 Fully Online

Look for Formats Built Around a Job

If you're working, look for a forensic accounting degree for working adults that asks for as little fixed time as possible. West Virginia University's master's is online and asynchronous, with no required live meeting times outside two virtual residency days. Colorado State University Global's courses are 100% online and asynchronous with no set meeting times. Scranton's online version needs no campus visits.

Term length matters too. Stevenson University's 36-credit master's runs in eight-week sessions and finishes in two years or less. York College of Pennsylvania offers five seven-week sessions a year, so full-time students can finish in as little as one year and part-time students typically in two.

If you'd like a room now and then, University of Massachusetts Amherst adds in-person weekend and evening options at its Newton campus. Its online classes are open to students in all 50 states. Saint Xavier University runs evening classes, and you can mix online and on-campus study.

Use Transfer Credit and Prior Learning

If you have college credit or years of experience, a bachelor's can move faster than you'd expect. Southern New Hampshire University's online Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a forensic accounting and fraud examination concentration is 120 credits, and up to 90 can transfer in. With eight-week terms and six undergraduate terms a year, you rarely wait to start.

Southern New Hampshire University also offers a free application with no test scores or essay. Credit for prior learning, including the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Sophia Learning, can reduce your cost. Tuition is $354 per credit, and active-duty students pay $250.

Franklin University's fully online forensic accounting degree runs six or twelve weeks per course and takes up to 94 earlier credits. Louisiana State University Alexandria's seven-week terms start six times a year, and its maximum-transfer total comes to $10,590. Lakeland University lets you finish in as little as three years, with a 100% online option and live online classes.

Compare Price and Employer Help

Costs differ a lot, so compare the whole program. Murray State University's online Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a forensic concentration lists $471.50 per credit and $16,974 in total, with fees included. Colorado State University Global lists $675 per credit with no student fees, and your tuition stays the same from first class to last.

Stevenson University charges $719 per credit with no fees and offers discounts through employer and partner organizations. York College of Pennsylvania lists $710 per credit for accounting, and employer and government partners can offer discounts. University of Massachusetts Amherst lists $850 per credit and gives military students an online program discount.

At the bachelor's level, Franklin University lists $398 per credit with a tuition guarantee that locks in your first-term rate. Ask your employer about tuition reimbursement before you enroll. A short conversation can change what you really pay.

Plan Around Your Credentials

If you're already working, studying a forensic accounting degree for working adults helps on the CFE's experience side. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners asks for two years of professional experience related to fraud detection or deterrence before it certifies you. Time in audit, compliance or investigations may count toward it. Your bachelor's degree typically covers the 40 points you need to sit the exam.

Several programs speak to the exam. West Virginia University prepares students for the CFE and Certified Valuation Analyst exams, and Scranton prepares you for the CFE exam and CPA licensure. Roosevelt University helps prepare students for the CFE, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Management Accountant exams.

On the CPA side, every state asks for 150 semester hours of college coursework, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Colorado State University Global says its professional accountancy master's meets CPA academic requirements. SUNY Polytechnic Institute's online master's is registered in New York as qualifying for the 150-hour requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Accounting Degrees for Working Adults

What Are the Best Forensic Accounting Degrees for Working Adults in 2027?

Can I Finish a Forensic Accounting Degree While Working Full Time?

How Fast Can a Working Adult Finish?

Do I Need Test Scores to Apply?

Can My Work Experience Count Toward Admission?

Are There Discounts for Military Students?

Which Degree Level Fits a Working Adult?

Sources

Sources retrieved to .