Programs Ranked
13
Schools
12
Degree Levels
2
Fully Online Programs
4
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%
Real casework is the quickest way to learn forensic accounting, and forensic accounting programs with internships build it into the degree alongside co-ops, practicums and client projects. Some require it, and some offer it as an option. It also helps you prepare for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Several schools hold accreditation from 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.
- Top Master's86.1 out of 100
Rider University
Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Concentration
New Jersey · MAcc
Rider University's MAcc Review - Top Bachelor's89.4 out of 100
Franklin University
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting
Ohio · B.S.
Franklin University's B.S. Review
The cards and table below use short forms for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
No programs on this list match all of those.
Rank #1 Master's
Rider University
If you are in the Master of Accountancy, you can add an Accounting Internship course worth 3 credits, taken with instructor permission, to gain hands-on experience while you study. Read our Rider University MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Skills 9.4
- Credential 9
- Completion 8.3
Score 86.1
Rank #2 Master's
SUNY Old Westbury
The Justice for Fraud Victims Project gives you hands-on field experience assisting victims of suspected financial fraud. Read our SUNY Old Westbury M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Skills 7.5
- Focus 7.2
Score 80.6
Rank #3 Master's
Colorado State University Global
ACT595 Accounting Internship is an optional course that gives you practical experience in accounting alongside your fraud and forensic studies. Read our CSU Global MPAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 8
- Cost 6.1
- Skills 5.7
Score 67.3
Rank #4 Master's
Roosevelt University
Professional Accounting Internship is a supervised learning experience at a business or non-profit site, arranged with the internship coordinator or program director. Read our Roosevelt University MBA Accounting Forensics review
- Credential 7
- Pay 6.8
- Skills 6.4
Score 61.2
Rank #5 Master's
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Tech facilitates internship and experiential learning opportunities for accounting and financial forensics students with CPA firms, high-tech companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Read our Florida Tech M.S. Accounting and Financial Forensics review
- Reputation 6.9
- Skills 3.1
- Pay 3
Score 42.1
Rank #1 Bachelor's
Franklin University
As one of its options, the program offers an Accounting Internship worth 1 to 9 credits, giving you academic credit for supervised professional training. Read our Franklin University B.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Cost 9.1
- Credential 8
- Reputation 7.5
Score 89.4
Rank #2 Bachelor's
Loyola University Maryland
The Forensic Accounting Capstone has you analyze real-world cases, learn directly from industry professionals and join a faculty-led field experience. Read our Loyola University Maryland BBA Forensic Accounting review
- Pay 10
- Credential 10
- Completion 9.8
Score 87.9
Rank #3 Bachelor's
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Accounting internships are available as applied electives: two courses at three credits each and two Internship Intensive courses at six credits each. Read our John Jay College B.S. Fraud Examination review
- Reputation 9.8
- Focus 7.1
- Skills 6.9
Score 82.9
Rank #4 Bachelor's
Rider University
Three out of four accounting majors complete a paid internship or co-op for academic credit, and the catalog also lists a three-credit Accounting Internship for juniors and seniors with department approval, with about two months of supervised employment with participating companies. Read our Rider University BSBA Fraud and Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 9
- Completion 8.4
- Reputation 8.4
Score 77.4
Rank #5 Bachelor's
New York Institute of Technology
An internship or practicum is part of the degree, and you choose one of two 3-credit courses. Read our NYIT B.S. Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud review
- Skills 9.2
- Credential 9
- Casework 6.6
Score 76.5
Rank #6 Bachelor's
Lakeland University
An optional Cooperative Education emphasis for accounting majors runs 22 to 26 semester hours and can bring up to 25 percent of the degree from paid work experience. Read our Lakeland University B.A. Forensic Accounting review
- Completion 8.9
- Cost 7.1
- Skills 4.5
Score 55.0
Rank #7 Bachelor's
Marywood University
A 3-credit internship is part of the four-year plan, and you can complete it in any semester of your third or fourth year, summer included. Read our Marywood BBA Financial Crime Investigation review
- Completion 8
- Credential 7
- Reputation 7
Score 50.2
Rank #8 Bachelor's
Franklin Pierce University
Between your second and third years, the recommended plan reserves a summer semester for hands-on work. Read our Franklin Pierce University Bachelor's Plus MBA review
- Credential 7
- Completion 3.9
- Casework 2.5
Score 32.9
Master's
Forensic Accounting Master's Degrees Ranked for 2027
Rank #1 Master's
Rider University
Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Concentration
- Fully Online
- Private nonprofit
- New Jersey
- AACSB Accredited
86.1 / 100
Top investigative skill coverage score among master's programs
Internships and Field Experience
If you are in the Master of Accountancy, you can add an Accounting Internship course worth 3 credits, taken with instructor permission, to gain hands-on experience while you study. Rider's internship, co-op and volunteer program is open to all students and is meant to build on-the-job skills and professional connections, with real-world experience built into the department's approach.
- Per Credit
- $1,130
- Graduate Pay
- $103,295
- Length
- 12 months
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #2 Master's
SUNY Old Westbury
Master of Science in Forensic Accounting
- On Campus
- Public
- New York
- AACSB Accredited
- CFE Exam Prep
80.6 / 100
Top 3 for forensic coursework among master's programs
Internships and Field Experience
The Justice for Fraud Victims Project gives you hands-on field experience assisting victims of suspected financial fraud. You join a team of three to five students, guided by faculty and local fraud examiner mentors, and work pro bono for small businesses and nonprofits to find out whether fraud occurred, how, and an estimate of the loss. Some students have gone on to Homeland Security.
- Per Credit
- $1,072
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $32,160
- Graduate Pay
- $84,887
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #3 Master's
Colorado State University Global
Master of Professional Accountancy, Fraud Investigations and Forensic Accounting Emphasis
- Fully Online
- Public
- Colorado
- CFE Exam Prep
67.3 / 100
Forensic Program Score
Internships and Field Experience
ACT595 Accounting Internship is an optional course that gives you practical experience in accounting alongside your fraud and forensic studies. You also build hands-on skills in ACT530, which uses a variety of data analytic tools on accounting and financial data, and finish in ACT580, a capstone where you apply accounting research tools to current accounting issues.
- Per Credit
- $675
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $20,250
- Graduate Pay
- $94,130
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #4 Master's
Roosevelt University
Master of Business Administration, Accounting Forensics Concentration
- Hybrid
- Private nonprofit
- Illinois
61.2 / 100
Forensic Program Score
Internships and Field Experience
Professional Accounting Internship is a supervised learning experience at a business or non-profit site, arranged with the internship coordinator or program director. It is one of six choices for your nine-credit concentration, and up to three credit hours can be applied to the graduate business program. Career services help you land internships and full-time roles, and case studies and real-world projects fill out the curriculum.
- Per Credit
- $1,013
- Credits
- 33
- Graduate Pay
- $98,834
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #5 Master's
Florida Institute of Technology
Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Forensics
- On Campus
- Private nonprofit
- Florida
42.1 / 100
Forensic Program Score
Internships and Field Experience
Florida Tech facilitates internship and experiential learning opportunities for accounting and financial forensics students with CPA firms, high-tech companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Employers the school names include Northrop Grumman Corp., Collins Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Brevard County Government and State Farm Insurance. Career Services helps you build career plans and job-search skills along the Space Coast.
- Per Credit
- $920
- Credits
- 30
- Graduate Pay
- $85,593
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Bachelor's
Forensic Accounting Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2027
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
Internships and Field Experience
As one of its options, the program offers an Accounting Internship worth 1 to 9 credits, giving you academic credit for supervised professional training. It runs as an ongoing seminar among you, a faculty member and your employment supervisor,. A Tax Practicum is another hands-on option, working with taxpayers through the Internal Revenue Service volunteer tax program.
- Per Credit
- $398
- Credits
- 124
- Est. Tuition
- $49,352
- Graduate Pay
- $65,816
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #2 Bachelor's
Loyola University Maryland
Bachelor of Business Administration in Forensic Accounting
- On Campus
- Private nonprofit
- Maryland
- AACSB Accredited
- CFE Exam Prep
87.9 / 100
Top completion score among bachelor's programs
Internships and Field Experience
The Forensic Accounting Capstone has you analyze real-world cases, learn directly from industry professionals and join a faculty-led field experience. Guest lectures, field trips and case studies extend the work outside the classroom. Loyola's business school keeps industry connections with firms such as CohnReznick, which bring current practice, guest speakers and applied learning into the classroom.
- Per Credit
- $975
- Graduate Pay
- $103,352
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #3 Bachelor's
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics
- On Campus
- Public
- New York
82.9 / 100
Top forensic coursework score among bachelor's programs
Internships and Field Experience
Accounting internships are available as applied electives: two courses at three credits each and two Internship Intensive courses at six credits each. One student describes a professor referring her to Johnson and Johnson's forensic internship program in Corporate Internal Audit. You can also join the student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting for mock interviews and campus recruiting.
- Per Credit
- $620
- Credits
- 120
- Graduate Pay
- $60,416
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #4 Bachelor's
Rider University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting, Business Fraud and Forensic Concentration
- On Campus
- Private nonprofit
- New Jersey
- AACSB Accredited
77.4 / 100
Top quarter for completion among bachelor's programs
Internships and Field Experience
Three out of four accounting majors complete a paid internship or co-op for academic credit, and the catalog also lists a three-credit Accounting Internship for juniors and seniors with department approval, with about two months of supervised employment with participating companies. Senior staff members at those firms evaluate you along the way. Both can be completed within the four-year program and often lead to full-time employment.
- Per Credit
- $1,420
- Graduate Pay
- $91,950
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #5 Bachelor's
New York Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud Investigation
- On Campus
- Private nonprofit
- New York
- AACSB Accredited
76.5 / 100
Top investigative skill coverage score among bachelor's programs
Internships and Field Experience
An internship or practicum is part of the degree, and you choose one of two 3-credit courses. Internship in Accounting gives supervised on-the-job experience applying what you have learned in a real-world setting, while the Practicum in Accounting puts you on a small consulting team that works on a company-specific project under a faculty advisor. The senior capstone adds civil and criminal fraud investigation and expert witness services.
- Per Credit
- $1,490
- Credits
- 123
See All 7 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #6 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
Internships and Field Experience
An optional Cooperative Education emphasis for accounting majors runs 22 to 26 semester hours and can bring up to 25 percent of the degree from paid work experience. You can start early, since Lakeland says students often obtain internships at local CPA firms as early as their sophomore year. One junior has interned with CliftonLarsonAllen and joined Internship Draft Day at Lambeau Field.
- Per Credit
- $550
- Credits
- 121
- Est. Tuition
- $66,550
- Graduate Pay
- $66,815
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #7 Bachelor's
Marywood University
Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Crime Investigation
- On Campus
- Private nonprofit
- Pennsylvania
50.2 / 100
Top quarter for completion among bachelor's programs
Internships and Field Experience
A 3-credit internship is part of the four-year plan, and you can complete it in any semester of your third or fourth year, summer included. Marywood Career Services provides resources to help you land that internship. The Accounting & Finance Club, open to all majors, adds guest speakers and networking opportunities you can use when you search.
- Per Credit
- $844
- Credits
- 120
- Est. Tuition
- $101,280
- Graduate Pay
- $59,776
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #8 Bachelor's
Franklin Pierce University
Accounting Bachelor's Plus MBA (3+1), Forensic Accounting Track
- Hybrid
- Private nonprofit
- New Hampshire
32.9 / 100
Forensic Program Score
Internships and Field Experience
Between your second and third years, the recommended plan reserves a summer semester for hands-on work. You pick one of three options: Internship in Accounting for 2 to 3 credits, Advanced Internship in Accounting for 4 credits, or the Senior Independent Project in Accounting for 4 credits. Partner firms from New England and beyond provide places for internships, consulting and jobs after graduation.
- Per Credit
- $1,395
- Graduate Pay
- $67,628
See All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Side by Side
Compare Every Program Side by Side
All 13 forensic accounting programs on this list in one table. Sort any column; the order you see first is the ranking.
| Rank | School and Program | Degree | Score | Cost per Credit | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rider University MAcc Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Concentration | Master's | 86.1 | $1,130 | Fully Online | |
| 2 | SUNY Old Westbury M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting | Master's | 80.6 | $1,072 | 30 | On Campus |
| 3 | 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 |
| 4 | Roosevelt University M.B.A. Master of Business Administration, Accounting Forensics Concentration | Master's | 61.2 | 33 | Hybrid | |
| 5 | Florida Institute of Technology M.S. Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Forensics | Master's | 42.1 | 30 | On Campus | |
| 1 | Franklin University B.S. Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting | Bachelor's | 89.4 | $398 | 124 | Fully Online |
| 2 | Loyola University Maryland B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration in Forensic Accounting | Bachelor's | 87.9 | $975 | On Campus | |
| 3 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice B.S. Bachelor of Science in Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics | Bachelor's | 82.9 | 120 | On Campus | |
| 4 | Rider University B.S.B.A. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting, Business Fraud and Forensic Concentration | Bachelor's | 77.4 | On Campus | ||
| 5 | New York Institute of Technology B.S. Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud Investigation | Bachelor's | 76.5 | 123 | On Campus | |
| 6 | Lakeland University B.A. Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Fraud and Forensic Emphasis | Bachelor's | 55.0 | $550 | 121 | Fully Online |
| 7 | Marywood University B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Crime Investigation | Bachelor's | 50.2 | $844 | 120 | On Campus |
| 8 | Franklin Pierce University Bachelor's + MBA Accounting Bachelor's Plus MBA (3+1), Forensic Accounting Track | Bachelor's | 32.9 | Hybrid |
Required, Optional and Embedded Experience
Forensic accounting programs with internships offer experience in a few forms, and knowing which form you're getting helps you plan your schedule. A required internship, like the one at New York Institute of Technology, is part of your graduation plan. You choose either Internship in Accounting or a practicum in experiential learning.
An optional internship brings credit when you want it. John Jay College lists accounting internship courses, ACC 381 through ACC 384, among its applied electives. Colorado State University Global offers ACT595 Accounting Internship as an elective, so ask the school how it works where you live.
Embedded experience sits inside a course. Loyola University Maryland's forensic accounting capstone brings in industry professionals and faculty-led field experiences. Franklin Pierce University leaves a summer slot between years two and three for an internship or a senior independent project.
Learn From Real Cases and Real Employers
SUNY Old Westbury runs the Justice for Fraud Victims Project. Students help victims of suspected financial fraud in cases where forensic services are limited or too costly. They work out whether fraud happened, how it happened and an estimate of the loss. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) interviewed the faculty lead for a video on the project.
Florida Institute of Technology's internship and experiential learning ties reach CPA firms, technology companies, government agencies and nonprofits. Lakeland University says students often take internships at local CPA firms as early as sophomore year. The Franklin University program encourages internships with CPA firms, private industry and government.
Marywood University builds a 3-credit internship, BUS 451, into the third or fourth year, including summers. Career Services helps you find placements.
Questions to Ask Before You Commit
A catalog line can mean different things at forensic accounting programs with internships, so a few direct questions pay off. Ask whether the internship is required or elective, how many credits it carries and whether it can be paid. Ask how the school finds placements and whether you can use your current employer.
If you're working toward the CFE, an internship gives you a head start. The ACFE asks for two years of professional experience related to fraud detection or deterrence before it certifies you. Fraud-related internship or co-op time may count toward it. John Jay College lists a student chapter of the ACFE, and Fort Hays State University and Roosevelt University also have chapters that offer networking.
For the CPA, check your state board of accountancy about education and experience rules. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes states require 150 semester hours for licensure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Accounting Programs With Internships
What Are the Best Forensic Accounting Programs With Internships in 2027?
Do Forensic Accounting Programs Require an Internship?
Can I Earn Credit for an Internship?
Are These Internships Paid?
Can I Complete an Internship in an Online Program?
Does Internship Experience Help With the CFE?
Which Employers Do Students Work With?
Sources
- ACFE: CFE Credential Eligibility
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Accountants and Auditors
- Florida Institute of Technology: Accounting and Financial Forensics, M.S.
- Rider University: Master of Accountancy
Rider University's MAcc, SUNY Old Westbury's M.S., CSU Global's MPAcc, Roosevelt University's MBA, Florida Tech's M.S., Franklin University's B.S., Loyola University Maryland's BBA, John Jay College's B.S., Rider University's BSBA, NYIT's B.S., Lakeland University's B.A., Marywood's BBA, Franklin Pierce's Bachelor's Plus MBA
- IPEDS Data Center
- CFE credential eligibility
Sources retrieved to .