New estimated data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows a 12% increase in spring 2025 undergraduate accounting enrollment compared to the prior year. The increase amounted to an additional 29,312 students.
Total undergraduate accounting enrollment for spring 2025 was 266,507 students. This marked the third consecutive semester of growth in accounting enrollment across undergraduate institutions of all types. It was the second consecutive semester of double-digit percentage increases.
Accounting enrollment increased at a higher rate than overall business enrollment.
“More bright minds are choosing accounting, where graduates find dynamic career opportunities that draw on a mix of skills and backgrounds,” said Susan Coffey, the CEO of public accounting for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). “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.”
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.
The National Student Clearinghouse data did not include graduate enrollment figures by instructional area, such as accounting. Overall graduate enrollment increased 1.5% from spring 2024.
Coffey said details within the enrollment data will help a host of programs and initiatives that stakeholders from across the profession are leading – from educators on college campuses to accountants volunteering to talk about accounting careers to high school students.
To learn more about the factors influencing student decisions, read the full article here.
