Programs Ranked
27
Schools
24
Lowest Cost per Credit
$400
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 master's in forensic accounting teaches you to trace money, build a case from records and explain it clearly to a judge or a board. Most programs here run about 30 credits, and many are fully online. Several prepare you for the CPA exam or the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. Many sit in business schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Top Picks
Top Picks by What Matters Most
Each pick wins one measured category among the forensic accounting programs on this list.
- Highest Score100.0 out of 100Strongest CredentialsAACSB stated by the school; prepares for CFE
West Virginia University
Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination
West Virginia · M.S.
West Virginia University's M.S. Review - Lowest Price$400 per credit
Pfeiffer University
Master of Business Administration in Financial Fraud
North Carolina · MBA
Pfeiffer University's MBA Review - Highest Graduate Earnings$110,374 median earnings
University at Albany
Master of Science in Forensic Accounting
New York · M.S.
University at Albany's M.S. Review
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).
No programs on this list match all of those.
Rank #1
West Virginia University
Pitch a case to real Internal Revenue Service criminal investigators, then defend your findings in a moot court with real attorneys. Read our WVU M.S. Forensic and Fraud Examination review
- Credential 10
- Skills 9.3
- Reputation 8.3
Score 100.0
Rank #2
Murray State University
Public-sector careers are the focus here. Read our Murray State University MPA Forensic Accounting review
- Cost 10
- Credential 10
- Skills 7.9
Score 97.9
Rank #3
Murray State University
Murray State belongs to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Anti-Fraud Education Partnership, so students who sit for the CFE exam can use a low-cost student certification package. Read our Murray State University MBA Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Skills 8.2
- Completion 7.6
Score 97.0
Rank #4
Utica University
Forensic courses run throughout, with electives in fraud management and cybercrime investigation. Read our Utica University M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Pay 9.7
- Completion 9.3
- Credential 8
Score 96.8
Rank #5
Florida Atlantic University
Choose how you attend: recorded lectures any time, live-streamed Saturday sessions, optional Saturday classes on campus, or any mix at no extra cost. Read our Florida Atlantic University MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Skills 9
- Reputation 7.2
Score 96.7
Rank #6
Saint Xavier University
Learn to build a fraud response plan, run an investigation and present a case with expert testimony techniques, all inside an AACSB-accredited business master's degree. Read our Saint Xavier University MBA Fraud Examination review
- Credential 10
- Completion 8.7
- Skills 7.8
Score 90.8
Rank #7
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
New York State registers this online master's as meeting the 150-hour CPA education requirement, and a nine-credit concentration adds fraud examination, financial statement investigations and your choice of data analytics or forensic valuation. Read our SUNY Polytechnic Institute M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 9
- Cost 8.3
- Skills 8.3
Score 89.7
Rank #8
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Practitioner-taught case studies open the forensic focus, then you join a team investigation that draws on interviews and both accounting and non-accounting evidence, and it finishes with a courtroom-style presentation. Read our UMass Amherst M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Pay 10
- Reputation 9.4
- Completion 9.3
Score 87.9
Rank #9
Stevenson University
Six fraud-focused courses, from fraud accounting to white collar crime law, sit inside this 36-credit online master's, and a litigation course adds trial practice. Read our Stevenson University M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Reputation 9.1
- Skills 7.3
- Credential 7
Score 87.7
Rank #10
York College of Pennsylvania
Five required courses move from corporate fraud cases to evidence rules and chain of custody, and one studies schemes in healthcare, banking, insurance, government contracting and nonprofits. Read our York College MAcc Fraud and Forensics review
- Credential 8
- Casework 7.4
- Skills 6.8
Score 86.5
Rank #11
Rider University
This master's lines up with the CPA exam and the 150 credit-hour licensure requirement, then adds a forensic concentration covering fraud, courtroom procedures, money laundering and data mining. Read our Rider University MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Skills 9.4
- Credential 9
- Completion 8.3
Score 86.1
Rank #12
Carlow University
Courses reach into money laundering, white-collar crime and the psychology behind financial and cyber crime, all in a one-year, fully online cohort. Read our Carlow University M.S. Fraud and Forensics review
- Credential 8
- Focus 7.3
- Skills 7
Score 81.5
Rank #13
University at Albany
Fraud examination sits beside a hands-on data analytics course in spotting unusual transaction patterns and a digital forensics course on protecting evidence and its chain of custody. Read our University at Albany M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Pay 10
- Reputation 9.8
- Credential 9
Score 80.6
Rank #14
SUNY Old Westbury
Real casework is at the center of this program. Read our SUNY Old Westbury M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Skills 7.5
- Focus 7.2
Score 80.6
Rank #15
Neumann University
Forensic accounting and cybercrime share one fully online degree, so tax fraud, financial statement fraud, fraud interviewing, digital forensics and cybercrime investigations are all required. Read our Neumann University M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Completion 9.8
- Credential 7
- Skills 6.4
Score 80.5
Rank #16
Colorado State University Global
Add four fraud courses to a master's in business administration, data analytics, finance or management and cover the whole case: prevention and detection, the legal system and the expert witness, investigative tools for white-collar crime, and data analysis with Benford's Law and bank records. Read our CSU Global Fraud and Financial Crimes Specialization review
- Skills 7
- Credential 7
- Cost 6.1
Score 70.8
Rank #17
Purdue University Northwest
Fraud Investigation sits in the accounting core, and then you choose electives in fraud data analysis, criminology and legal issues, or advanced fraud investigation. Read our Purdue University Northwest MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 9
- Cost 7.3
- Skills 5
Score 70.0
Rank #18
Seton Hill University
Eight-week courses and six admission points a year let you finish in one year or stretch it to two. Read our Seton Hill University MBA Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 8
- Skills 7.3
- Completion 6.5
Score 68.5
Rank #19
Roosevelt University
Five required forensic courses cover fraud examination, financial statement fraud, anti-money laundering, computer forensics and business forensics, including Benford's law. Read our Roosevelt University M.S. Accounting Forensics review
- Credential 8
- Pay 6.8
- Skills 6.4
Score 67.7
Rank #20
Colorado State University Global
Choose the fraud investigations and forensic accounting emphasis and you study how fraud is prevented, detected, litigated and recovered, then move into advanced investigations and fraud data analysis. Read our CSU Global MPAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 8
- Cost 6.1
- Skills 5.7
Score 67.3
Rank #21
Tiffin University
Four concentration courses follow the subject areas of the Certified Fraud Examiner exam and use the exam's own study material, so your coursework doubles as review. Read our Tiffin University MBA Fraud Examination review
- Credential 8
- Skills 5
- Cost 4.7
Score 65.6
Rank #22
Pfeiffer University
A business degree with a fraud specialty, finished online in 15 months with no live virtual meetings. Read our Pfeiffer University MBA Financial Fraud review
- Cost 10
- Credential 7
- Skills 6.4
Score 64.7
Rank #23
University of New Haven
Forensic students choose a fourth course from legal and investigative options, including white-collar crime analytics and cybercrime investigations offered by the university's criminal justice and forensic sciences college. Read our University of New Haven M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 9
- Skills 8.7
- Reputation 8.7
Score 61.4
Rank #24
Roosevelt University
Pair a business-leadership core with a fraud specialty. Read our Roosevelt University MBA Accounting Forensics review
- Credential 7
- Pay 6.8
- Skills 6.4
Score 61.2
Rank #25
University of Scranton
Financial Reporting Fraud and Occupational Fraud and Abuse are the two dedicated forensic courses and an applied research capstone. Read our University of Scranton MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Reputation 8
- Pay 4.9
Score 56.4
Rank #26
Strayer University
Three concentration courses cover forensic accounting, emerging audit technology and fraud prevention and detection, and a capstone then applies forensic and auditing ideas to real business cases. Read our Strayer University M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Cost 9
- Credential 7
- Casework 3.4
Score 50.3
Rank #27
Florida Institute of Technology
Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting anchor a six-course core that also includes advanced internal auditing and information systems auditing, and electives reach into forensic data mining and analysis. Read our Florida Tech M.S. Accounting and Financial Forensics review
- Reputation 6.9
- Skills 3.1
- Pay 3
Score 42.1
The Ranking
Forensic Accounting Master's Degrees Ranked for 2027
#1 Master's
West Virginia University
Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination
- Fully Online
- West Virginia
- Public
- AACSB Accredited
- CFE Exam Prep
100.0 / 100
Highest score among master's programs
What Stands Out
Pitch a case to real Internal Revenue Service criminal investigators, then defend your findings in a moot court with real attorneys. This master's degree is built on the national curriculum developed for the National Institute of Justice, adds seven forensic courses and a nine-credit emphasis in cybersecurity, data analytics or management, and includes exam prep for the CFE and Certified Valuation Analyst credentials.
- Per Credit
- $1,063
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $31,890
- Graduate Pay
- $98,517
All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#2 Master's
Murray State University
Master of Public Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting
- Fully Online
- Kentucky
- Public
- AACSB Accredited
- CFE Exam Prep
97.9 / 100
One of the lowest prices among master's programs
What Stands Out
Public-sector careers are the focus here. The public administration core covers budgeting, policy analysis and public organizations, while the forensic concentration adds fraud analytics, business valuation and the legal environment of fraud. A capstone research project tackles a real public-sector problem. At $471.50 per credit with fees included and as few as 12 months, it also prepares you to sit for the CFE exam.
- Per Credit
- $472
- Credits
- 36
- Est. Tuition
- $16,974
- Length
- 12 months
All 7 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#3 Master's
Murray State University
Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting
- Fully Online
- Kentucky
- Public
- AACSB Accredited
- CFE Exam Prep
97.0 / 100
One of the lowest prices among master's programs
What Stands Out
Murray State belongs to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Anti-Fraud Education Partnership, so students who sit for the CFE exam can use a low-cost student certification package. Coursework puts data analysis software such as Caseware to work alongside four concentration courses in fraud examination, fraud analytics, business valuation and the legal environment of fraud. Seven-week courses and $606 per credit with fees included keep it flexible.
- Per Credit
- $606
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $18,180
- Length
- 12 to 18 months
All 7 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#4 Master's
Utica University
Master of Science in Forensic Accounting
- Fully Online
- New York
- Private nonprofit
- CFE Exam Prep
96.8 / 100
Top 3 for completion among master's programs
What Stands Out
Forensic courses run throughout, with electives in fraud management and cybercrime investigation. The curriculum was built to meet New York State requirements for CPA licensure, and coursework helps prepare you for the Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist credentials. A partnership with the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists brings a free student membership for up to two years, and no work experience is needed.
- Per Credit
- $775
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $23,250
- Graduate Pay
- $108,561
All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#5 Master's
Florida Atlantic University
Executive Master of Accounting, Forensic Accounting Concentration
- Fully Online
- Florida
- Public
- AACSB Accredited
96.7 / 100
Top 3 for investigative skill coverage among master's programs
What Stands Out
Choose how you attend: recorded lectures any time, live-streamed Saturday sessions, optional Saturday classes on campus, or any mix at no extra cost. Offered since 2003, this executive master's pairs two fraud examination courses with forensic law, tax fraud, business valuation and digital forensics, and you can add a data analytics concentration. Faculty publish textbooks and testify as expert witnesses, and students with no accounting background are welcome.
- Per Credit
- $928
- Graduate Pay
- $99,288
- Length
- 12 to 32 months
All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#6 Master's
Saint Xavier University
Master of Business Administration, Fraud Examination and Management
- Fully Online
- Illinois
- Private nonprofit
- AACSB Accredited
- CFE Exam Prep
90.8 / 100
Top 3 for hands-on casework among master's programs
What Stands Out
Learn to build a fraud response plan, run an investigation and present a case with expert testimony techniques, all inside an AACSB-accredited business master's degree. Three fraud courses cover identity theft, fraud examination and investigative accounting, and the curriculum follows the four CFE exam sections. Faculty include CPAs, CFEs and licensed attorneys, and every class can be taken online in eight-week sessions.
- Per Credit
- $799
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $23,970
- Length
- 12 to 20 months
All 7 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#7 Master's
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting and Valuation Concentration
- Fully Online
- New York
- Public
- AACSB Accredited
89.7 / 100
One of the lowest prices among master's programs
What Stands Out
New York State registers this online master's as meeting the 150-hour CPA education requirement, and a nine-credit concentration adds fraud examination, financial statement investigations and your choice of data analytics or forensic valuation. State-university pricing starts at $471 per credit for New York residents, with an admissions-test waiver reviewed for every applicant and resident rates for military families. Full-time students can finish within 18 months.
- Per Credit
- $565
- Credits
- 33
- Est. Tuition
- $18,645
- Graduate Pay
- $92,584
All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#8 Master's
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting Focus
- Fully Online
- Massachusetts
- Public
- AACSB Accredited
87.9 / 100
Top 3 for program reputation among master's programs
What Stands Out
Practitioner-taught case studies open the forensic focus, then you join a team investigation that draws on interviews and both accounting and non-accounting evidence, and it finishes with a courtroom-style presentation. The 30-credit degree is asynchronous and full-time students can finish in under a year. A career coach supports the job search, and the school reports 98% of 2025 graduates hired within 6 months.
- Per Credit
- $850
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $25,500
- Graduate Pay
- $109,628
All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#9 Master's
Stevenson University
Master of Science in Forensic Accounting
- Fully Online
- Maryland
- Private nonprofit
87.7 / 100
Top 3 for program reputation among master's programs
What Stands Out
Six fraud-focused courses, from fraud accounting to white collar crime law, sit inside this 36-credit online master's, and a litigation course adds trial practice. Auditing students study Securities and Exchange Commission releases on misleading financial statements, while the tax course tackles fraud by individuals and businesses. Eight-week courses, up to 15 transferable credits and a finish in two years or less suit working accountants.
- Per Credit
- $719
- Credits
- 36
- Est. Tuition
- $25,884
- Graduate Pay
- $86,344
All 8 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
#10 Master's
York College of Pennsylvania
Master of Accounting in Fraud and Forensics
- Fully Online
- Pennsylvania
- Private nonprofit
- CFE Exam Prep
86.5 / 100
Top 3 for hands-on casework among master's programs
What Stands Out
Five required courses move from corporate fraud cases to evidence rules and chain of custody, and one studies schemes in healthcare, banking, insurance, government contracting and nonprofits. A partnership with the fraud examiners' association brings real case studies into the classes. It's fully online in seven-week sessions, full-time students can finish in a year, and the degree prepares you for the CPA and CFE.
- Per Credit
- $710
- Credits
- 30
- Est. Tuition
- $21,300
- Length
- 12 to 24 months
All 7 Scores
Forensic Training
Value and Outcomes
Rank #11
Rider University
This master's lines up with the CPA exam and the 150 credit-hour licensure requirement, then adds a forensic concentration covering fraud, courtroom procedures, money laundering and data mining. Read our Rider University MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Skills 9.4
- Credential 9
- Completion 8.3
Score 86.1
Rank #12
Carlow University
Courses reach into money laundering, white-collar crime and the psychology behind financial and cyber crime, all in a one-year, fully online cohort. Read our Carlow University M.S. Fraud and Forensics review
- Credential 8
- Focus 7.3
- Skills 7
Score 81.5
Rank #13
University at Albany
Fraud examination sits beside a hands-on data analytics course in spotting unusual transaction patterns and a digital forensics course on protecting evidence and its chain of custody. Read our University at Albany M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Pay 10
- Reputation 9.8
- Credential 9
Score 80.6
Rank #14
SUNY Old Westbury
Real casework is at the center of this program. Read our SUNY Old Westbury M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Skills 7.5
- Focus 7.2
Score 80.6
Rank #15
Neumann University
Forensic accounting and cybercrime share one fully online degree, so tax fraud, financial statement fraud, fraud interviewing, digital forensics and cybercrime investigations are all required. Read our Neumann University M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Completion 9.8
- Credential 7
- Skills 6.4
Score 80.5
Rank #16
Colorado State University Global
Add four fraud courses to a master's in business administration, data analytics, finance or management and cover the whole case: prevention and detection, the legal system and the expert witness, investigative tools for white-collar crime, and data analysis with Benford's Law and bank records. Read our CSU Global Fraud and Financial Crimes Specialization review
- Skills 7
- Credential 7
- Cost 6.1
Score 70.8
Rank #17
Purdue University Northwest
Fraud Investigation sits in the accounting core, and then you choose electives in fraud data analysis, criminology and legal issues, or advanced fraud investigation. Read our Purdue University Northwest MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 9
- Cost 7.3
- Skills 5
Score 70.0
Rank #18
Seton Hill University
Eight-week courses and six admission points a year let you finish in one year or stretch it to two. Read our Seton Hill University MBA Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 8
- Skills 7.3
- Completion 6.5
Score 68.5
Rank #19
Roosevelt University
Five required forensic courses cover fraud examination, financial statement fraud, anti-money laundering, computer forensics and business forensics, including Benford's law. Read our Roosevelt University M.S. Accounting Forensics review
- Credential 8
- Pay 6.8
- Skills 6.4
Score 67.7
Rank #20
Colorado State University Global
Choose the fraud investigations and forensic accounting emphasis and you study how fraud is prevented, detected, litigated and recovered, then move into advanced investigations and fraud data analysis. Read our CSU Global MPAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 8
- Cost 6.1
- Skills 5.7
Score 67.3
Rank #21
Tiffin University
Four concentration courses follow the subject areas of the Certified Fraud Examiner exam and use the exam's own study material, so your coursework doubles as review. Read our Tiffin University MBA Fraud Examination review
- Credential 8
- Skills 5
- Cost 4.7
Score 65.6
Rank #22
Pfeiffer University
A business degree with a fraud specialty, finished online in 15 months with no live virtual meetings. Read our Pfeiffer University MBA Financial Fraud review
- Cost 10
- Credential 7
- Skills 6.4
Score 64.7
Rank #23
University of New Haven
Forensic students choose a fourth course from legal and investigative options, including white-collar crime analytics and cybercrime investigations offered by the university's criminal justice and forensic sciences college. Read our University of New Haven M.S. Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 9
- Skills 8.7
- Reputation 8.7
Score 61.4
Rank #24
Roosevelt University
Pair a business-leadership core with a fraud specialty. Read our Roosevelt University MBA Accounting Forensics review
- Credential 7
- Pay 6.8
- Skills 6.4
Score 61.2
Rank #25
University of Scranton
Financial Reporting Fraud and Occupational Fraud and Abuse are the two dedicated forensic courses and an applied research capstone. Read our University of Scranton MAcc Forensic Accounting review
- Credential 10
- Reputation 8
- Pay 4.9
Score 56.4
| Rank | School and Program | Score | Cost per Credit | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Strayer University M.S. Master of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting | 50.3 | 54 | Fully Online | |
| 27 | Florida Institute of Technology M.S. Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Forensics | 42.1 | 30 | On Campus |
Side by Side
Compare Every Master's in Forensic Accounting Side by Side
All 27 forensic accounting programs on this list in one table. Sort any column; the order you see first is the ranking.
| Rank | School and Program | Score | Cost per Credit | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University M.S. Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination | 100.0 | $1,063 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 2 | Murray State University MPA Master of Public Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting | 97.9 | $471.50 | 36 | Fully Online |
| 3 | Murray State University MBA Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting | 97.0 | $606 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 4 | Utica University M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting | 96.8 | $775 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 5 | Florida Atlantic University M.Acc. Executive Master of Accounting, Forensic Accounting Concentration | 96.7 | Fully Online | ||
| 6 | Saint Xavier University MBA Master of Business Administration, Fraud Examination and Management | 90.8 | $799 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 7 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute M.S. Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting and Valuation Concentration | 89.7 | $565 | 33 | Fully Online |
| 8 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst M.S. Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting Focus | 87.9 | $850 | 30 | Fully Online, asynchronous |
| 9 | Stevenson University M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting | 87.7 | $719 | 36 | Fully Online |
| 10 | York College of Pennsylvania M.Acc. Master of Accounting in Fraud and Forensics | 86.5 | $710 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 11 | Rider University MAcc Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Concentration | 86.1 | $1,130 | Fully Online | |
| 12 | Carlow University M.S. Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics | 81.5 | $800 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 13 | University at Albany M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting | 80.6 | 30 | On Campus | |
| 14 | SUNY Old Westbury M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting | 80.6 | $1,072 | 30 | On Campus |
| 15 | Neumann University M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting and Cybercrime | 80.5 | $775 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 16 | Colorado State University Global Graduate Specialization Master's Degree With a Fraud and Financial Crimes Specialization | 70.8 | 12 | Fully Online | |
| 17 | Purdue University Northwest MAcc Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Data Analysis Concentration | 70.0 | On Campus | ||
| 18 | Seton Hill University M.B.A. Master of Business Administration, Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Specialization | 68.5 | $1,015 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 19 | Roosevelt University M.S. Master of Science in Accounting Forensics | 67.7 | 30 | Fully Online | |
| 20 | Colorado State University Global M.P.Acc. Master of Professional Accountancy, Fraud Investigations and Forensic Accounting Emphasis | 67.3 | $675 | 30 | Fully Online, asynchronous |
| 21 | Tiffin University MBA Master of Business Administration, Forensics and Fraud Examination | 65.6 | $755 | Fully Online | |
| 22 | Pfeiffer University MBA Master of Business Administration in Financial Fraud | 64.7 | $400 | 33 | Fully Online |
| 23 | University of New Haven M.S. Master of Science in Accounting, Forensic Accounting Concentration | 61.4 | $1,185 | On Campus | |
| 24 | Roosevelt University M.B.A. Master of Business Administration, Accounting Forensics Concentration | 61.2 | 33 | Hybrid | |
| 25 | University of Scranton M.Acc. Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Specialization | 56.4 | $895 | 30 | Fully Online |
| 26 | Strayer University M.S. Master of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting | 50.3 | 54 | Fully Online | |
| 27 | Florida Institute of Technology M.S. Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Forensics | 42.1 | 30 | On Campus |
Pick the Degree Label That Fits Your Goal
A master's in forensic accounting shows up under several degree names, and each one adds something different. A Master of Science, like those at Utica University and Stevenson University, keeps the whole curriculum close to forensic work. Utica runs forensic content through all 30 credits.
An MBA adds management training. Saint Xavier, Seton Hill, Tiffin, Pfeiffer and Murray State each pair business core courses with fraud or forensic electives, so you leave with leadership skills as well as investigative ones.
York College of Pennsylvania, Rider and Scranton offer a Master of Accountancy, which adds the advanced accounting and auditing that CPA candidates need. If your goal is public-sector work, Murray State also offers a Master of Public Administration with a forensic accounting concentration.
Match the Format to Your Week
West Virginia teaches in eight-week courses. It has no required meeting times outside two virtual residencies, where you work through live investigation exercises. Florida Atlantic records its lectures so you can watch any hour, and it adds optional live-streamed or Saturday classes at no extra cost.
Carlow moves a cohort through together in one year, so you have the same classmates and a dedicated faculty adviser from start to finish. If you work days, Purdue University Northwest holds all its classes in the evening.
Albany and Old Westbury are built for time on campus. Old Westbury's classes start at 5:30 in the evening. They end at 10:30, and the program runs over three semesters in a calendar year. Its students work real fraud cases for victims under the guidance of Certified Fraud Examiner mentors. Florida Institute of Technology gives you the Space Coast campus and internship ties to firms and agencies.
Plan Around the CPA and the CFE
People most often pair these two credentials with this degree, and they ask for different things. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that states require 150 semester hours of college coursework for a CPA license, which is 30 more than a typical bachelor's degree. A 30-credit master's is the usual way to close that gap, so look for programs that say they meet your state's rules.
You don't need a master's for the CFE. The ACFE counts a bachelor's degree from an accredited school as the 40 points that let you sit the exam. Full certification comes at 50 points, once you're an ACFE Associate Member with two years of fraud-related work behind you. The CFE exam prep list walks through the details.
A master's in forensic accounting also adds the coursework the exam covers: fraud schemes, investigation and legal issues, and prevention. Murray State, York and Carlow have ties to the ACFE through its Anti-Fraud Education Partnership. Murray State offers a low-cost student certification package.
Look at the Whole Price and the Admission Steps
Published rates for a master's in forensic accounting run from $400 to $1,185 per credit, and the median for the field is $775. To get your real total, multiply the rate by the credit count. Pfeiffer's 33 credits at $400 come to $13,200.
Colorado State University Global lists $675 per credit with no fees. Murray State's MBA lists $606 per credit with fees included.
Public schools can carry a different rate for residents. SUNY Polytechnic lists $471 per credit for New York residents and $565 for non-residents.
Admission is friendlier than many people expect. Florida Atlantic has no accounting prerequisites. New Haven needs no accounting degree and can waive its two prerequisite courses. Murray State builds a free accounting prerequisite into the program, and New Haven also lists scholarships and assistantships reaching 50 percent off tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Accounting Master's Programs
What Are the Best Master's in Forensic Accounting in 2027?
What Is a Master's in Forensic Accounting?
Do I Need an Accounting Degree to Apply?
Can I Finish a Forensic Accounting Master's Online?
How Long Does a Forensic Accounting Master's Take?
Will a Master's Help Me Become a CPA?
Do I Need the GRE or GMAT?
Do I Need a Master's to Earn the CFE?
Sources
- ACFE: CFE Credential EligibilityACFE: About the CFE Exam
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Accountants and Auditors
- West Virginia University: Forensic and Fraud Examination, M.S.
- Carlow University: Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics
WVU's M.S., Murray State's MPA, Murray State's MBA, Utica University's M.S., FAU's MAcc, Saint Xavier University's MBA, SUNY Polytechnic Institute's M.S., UMass Amherst's M.S., Stevenson University's M.S., York College's MAcc, Rider University's MAcc, Carlow University's M.S., University at Albany's M.S., SUNY Old Westbury's M.S., Neumann University's M.S., CSU Global's Fraud and Financial Crimes Specialization, Purdue Northwest's MAcc, Seton Hill University's MBA, Roosevelt University's M.S., CSU Global's MPAcc, Tiffin University's MBA, Pfeiffer University's MBA, New Haven's M.S., Roosevelt University's MBA, University of Scranton's MAcc, Strayer University's M.S., Florida Tech's M.S.
- IPEDS Data Center
- CFE credential eligibility
Sources retrieved to .