What’s So Hot About The Indiana University Bloomington Accounting Degree Program?


The Indiana University Bloomington Accounting Degree Program is highly esteemed, as evidenced by its number eight spot in the US News and World Report college rankings, and many students are drawn to its stunning campus. But is the beauty of this university more than just skin deep? 

Indiana University Bloomington: Facts and Figures

Active, young, friendly, relaxed, safe. These are some of the words used to describe Bloomington, a thriving college town of about 80,000 people, 50 miles from Indianapolis and home to the flagship campus of Indiana University. 

Thomas Gaines, in his book The Campus as a Work of Art, rated IU Bloomington’s campus as one of the five most beautiful in the country, and it’s easy to see why, with abundant greenery and historic limestone buildings that date back to the university’s reconstruction in the late 19th century. 

The city is home to a lively cultural scene, including music and arts festivals and a diverse range of cuisines, as well as the annual Little 500, the nation’s largest collegiate bicycle race. 

With a total enrolment of around 110,000 students, including 40,000 at the Bloomington campus, IU has been referred to as one of the “Public Ivies”, a reference to the fact that the quality of education is considered comparable with the private Ivy League institutions.  

Kelley School of Business

The Indiana University Bloomington accounting degree program is part of the Kelley School of Business.

Kelley has consistently been ranked as one of the top business schools in the country, and its entrepreneurship program was recently ranked in first place by BusinessWeek. It counts multiple notable business leaders in its alumni, and a number of Fortune 500 companies visit the campus to meet and directly recruit students from both Kelley undergraduate and MBA programs.

Don’t worry though if you’re prone to over-indulging in the infamous Bloomington social scene; they won’t show up unannounced!

Kelley Accounting Undergraduate Program

Kelley offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting as its undergraduate program, and boasts an impressive 90% success rate for graduate job placement and a starting salary slightly above the average rate. Not that you would expect anything less for a school whose undergraduate program was ranked 11th in the nation in the US News and World Report rankings.

Kelley Accounting Master’s Program

There are three options on offer for those interested in a Master’s accounting degree from IU:

  1. 3/2 MBA Program: This involves completing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA in Accounting in five years. This option is best for students wishing to progress their career in either a professional services firm or in commerce.

  2. Master of Science in Accounting: This one year course is ideal for those looking to specialise in tax or audit in a professional services firm.

  3. Master of Business Administration: The traditional MBA route can be completed with a minor in accounting. A key feature of the Kelley MBA is that students get to choose one of six Academies in addition to their major, enabling them to focus very sharply on their chosen area of expertise.

Only completing one of the first two options will qualify you to sit the CPA exams.

Kelley Accounting PhD Program

Kelley’s PhD program is equal in stature and reputation to its Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, with past graduates holding positions in the nation’s pre-eminent business schools. Two paths of study are offered: a capital markets stream and an experimental/behavioural stream.

Indiana University Bloomington Accounting Degree Program: Summary

There’s no doubt that the IU accountancy program is a highly regarded, reputable program that has consistently received high rankings in news outlet surveys.

The breathtaking Bloomington campus is a highlight; even though student feedback reveals some of the buildings are starting to show their age.

It seems one of the major problems with Bloomington though, may be, well…Bloomington. Being a small town with large chunk of its population comprising college students, a number of students complain that there is little ability to socialise outside the college scene, which in itself is heavily dominated by the fraternities and sororities.

If you consider yourself to have some party animal tendencies, then the Indiana University Bloomington Accounting Degree Program could be for you! But if you’re more hermitic, you may be well advised to take your shell and look for somewhere quieter.