Are The Michigan State University Accounting Degree Programs Overrated?

We take a look at Michigan State University accounting degree programs to see what this massive historical learning institution offers. Is it just another big Midwestern university? Or one that stands out from the crowd? 

Michigan State University: Facts and Figures

Founded in 1855, Michigan State was the nation’s first land grant university, and served as a model for this type of institution. Under the scheme, federal land was granted to the states for them to sell and establish colleges.

Although Michigan State was the first institution of higher learning to teach scientific agriculture, the university has diversified into a range of disciplines, and expanded to become the ninth largest in the country with an enrolment of nearly 50,000 students.

Situated in the college town of East Lansing, near the Michigan capital of Lansing, the university occupies sprawling yet picturesque grounds, with numerous historic buildings, and acres of green space and farmland.

The university is considered to be one of the Public Ivies, which recognizes its position as one of the top public research institutions in the US. So rest assured, Michigan State offers much more than just farm animals!

Eli Broad School of Business

The business college at Michigan State is the Eli Broad (rhymes with road) School of business, named after a significant benefactor and alumnus. Broad offers a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, including a “Weekend MBA”, which not surprisingly, allows executives to complete their MBA by attending weekend courses.

The school also has a School of Hospitality Business, with courses providing specialist skills in hospitality and food service business management.

Enough about food. Let’s talk about what Broad offers in the accounting space.

Broad Accounting Undergraduate Program

Ranked at number 13 by the US News and World Report, the undergraduate accounting course boasts a pedigree that’s not to be sneezed at.

Students undertaking the undergraduate program do so under the guise of a Bachelor’s of Arts degree, which offers the choice of seven majors, including accounting.

Broad Accounting Master’s Program

The Master’s accounting program is equally highly ranked, coming in at number 14 in the Public Accounting Report survey.

We’re impressed with the options offered to participants of the Master of Science program at Broad, with the school enabling a speciality in one of four tracks: Taxation, Information Systems, Financial Reporting and Assurance, and Management Accounting. Many other comparable programs only offer a choice of two tracks.

Completion of Master’s program provides graduates with the education requirement to sit for the CPA exam.

Broad Accounting PhD Program

The Mays PhD accounting program is one of the most popular in the US, ranking third in the number of accounting doctorates granted. There seems to be just as much emphasis on quality as well as quantity, with a recent study by Brigham University highlighting the success of Michigan State PhD students at publishing quality articles at the highest levels.

Michigan State University Accounting Degree Programs: Summary

If there is such thing as a “typical” college experience, then Michigan State might be it. It’s a huge, beautiful campus situated in a college town where nearly two-thirds of the population are between 18 and 24. Many of these participate in Greek life, with the college home to one of the largest communities in the country.

Oh, and then there’s the standard of education. Which is top rate, according to both current and past students and various media outlet surveys. It is a Public Ivy, after all.

It’s the balance between academic and social, or in other words, business and pleasure that make Michigan State such an attractive proposition, and why the Michigan State University accounting degree programs are so highly recommended.