Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Accountants And Auditors
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Tri-State Business Institute, Penn State, Drexel, and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Manor, Erie Business Center, Yorktowne Business Institute, and University of Pittsburgh-Titusville.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Cedar Crest, Carlow, Consolidated School of Business, and Cambria-Rowe Business College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Pace Institute, Keystone, and Carnegie Mellon.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology, Eastern University, Chestnut Hill, and Waynesburg University.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, Bucknell, and Villanova.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Commonwealth, Washington & Jefferson College, Grove City, and Franklin and Marshall.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, Bucknell, and Lehigh.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at UPenn, Bucknell, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and Lehigh.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Commonwealth, Franklin and Marshall, Bucknell, and Carnegie Mellon.
Spotlight Schools Search
Spotlight Pennsylvania Schools Related to This Career
- Locations: Center Valley, Feasterville-Trevose, King Of Prussia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Springfield, Warrendale
- Programs: 10 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma, Master, Post- Bachelor's Certificate
DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management
- Locations: King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Master, Post- Bachelor's Certificate
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
- Locations: Oakdale
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate
- Locations: Pittsburgh
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate
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Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career
- Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
- Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Master
- Programs: 9 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Doctorate, Master
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Master
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Villanova University • Villanova, PA
Studying Accounting (completion in 2008)
• 5/8/2011
"I loved Villanova and am very grateful for all the help they provided me in getting me my current job."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The teachers are fantastic and are extremely helpful. I always felt that they were willing to always go the extra mile to help out their students. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | As mentioned above Villanove business school is highly ranked. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Excellent teachers and business school has a 90% rate of graguating students with Job offers already. |
| Instruction | 7 | A few classes were not needed for the major but overal, i felt prepared to enter the workforce. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Villanova is a Top 15 business. The courses were challenging and effective to prepareing us. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most classes were lecture style, but there are a few with group projects that you work on through out the semester. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Classed were offered at night. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Villanova had several programs available for students who needed help. The library could use some updating but was suitable. |
| Social Life | 7 | Athletics were great. Villanova is not a party school so night life was average compared to bigger schools. |
| Placement Services | 9 | They brought recruiters onto campus and held career fairs for students. Very helpful. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not taken advantage of the alumni network. |
University Of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Accounting (completion in 2004)
• 10/3/2011
"I was somewhat satisfied with my school choice. I can say I have an Ivy League degree, with the student loans to prove it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It would depend on the person asking; if I thought they could handle the program, I would recommend it. I would also explain the costs. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | According to Business Week, Wharton is ranked number four in their undergraduate program for 2011, which is very good. |
| Program Quality | 5 | The degree program was worth it. However, the program was very expensive and didn't open as many doors as expected. |
| Instruction | 9 | Classes were taught at a graduate level. Much course preparation was necessary to succeed. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The program was taught at a graduate level. I had to put extra time into completing coursework. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I would say the program was more book learning, focusing on theory. However, there were a few courses, such as tax, that was more hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | The program I completed was an evening program. This program was terminated in 2005. The school currently only offers a full-time day program or an evening certificate program. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The school has several libraries and study areas. I only ranked this as average because I wasn't aware of any tutoring opportunities for my courses. |
| Social Life | 5 | My program was geared for working adult students. We were all considered non-traditional and did not participate in social activities. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I did not use the school's job placement services. They did give me a few pointers on my resume. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The school has a large alumni network. However, you need to be active within the network to benefit. |
LaSalle University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Accounting And Management (completion in 2007)
• 10/31/2011
"I felt very prepared to move on in life. I was lucky to have LaSalle's prior relationships help place me in a great job. I also made lifelong friends. It was the best 4 years of my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The reputation of LaSalle speaks for itself. The professors did a wonderful job of preparing me for my career. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | LaSalle is known regionally for having an excellent business school. This is demonstrated by the high job placement rate after each graduating class. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I felt very prepared entering the workplace. I had a good background of all of the different types of accounting: managerial, cost, tax, etc. |
| Instruction | 8 | The teachers were very knowledgeable in all types of accounting. Some used games and projects to help with the learning process. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The classes moved rapidly and covered a wealth of topics. Each professor required group projects, etc. throughout the semester. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most teachers would supplement the book with other material. Most of this material would be hands on cases that helped put what the book taught into practice. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Multiple classes are available. They offer classes at night and they also have satellite campuses. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | As a private university, some of the classrooms were in need of remodeling. The library and computer labs, however, were excellent assets. |
| Social Life | 6 | I commuted for a year and lived on campus following that. I was within an hour of home so I made friends but didn't stay on campus all that much. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I had over 5 interviews on campus. They do an excellent job of helping you tailor your resume and have an excellent relationship with both small and large firms. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Alumni meet-ups are held at least twice a year strictly for networking purposes. They also provide at least 6 other alumni events throughout the year. |
Drexel University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Accounting (completion in 1992)
• 12/9/2011
"I was very satisfied with the quality of my education. It helped me to become an expert in my field. The price per credit hour is a bit high though."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend Drexel because I can attest to the expertise of the professors, the reputation of the school, and the quality of campus resources. In addition, there are now many online options as well. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Drexel University has a great reputation overall. In terms of Accounting, because of the popularity of the school's co-op program, it is known that the program is rigorous and provides a solid background for its students. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Drexel's focus on providing practical experience via co-op work is a great advantage. Also, the quality of the teaching from the Accounting staff is excellent. |
| Instruction | 9 | I found the professors at Drexel to be very knowledgeable in their field. In addition to having academic knowledge, they all had years of practical experience. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program was very challenging, and the workload was extensive. Although I did well in the program, it required a great many hours in the campus library and computer lab. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I would classify my experience in the Accounting program as very book-oriented. I mentioned co-op earlier, but that did not apply to the graduate program. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I attended in the late 80's/early 90's, there was less flexibility than there is now. All of my classes had to be taken on campus, but there were summer and evening options. In fact, all of my classes were taken in the evening since I worked full time during the day. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I can attest to the quality of the library and computer labs. However, I am not sure about the availability of tutors and study group support, since I did not make use of those resources. I found the professors to be very accessible, both by phone and in person. |
| Social Life | 2 | I attended classes during the evening because I was working during the day. For this reason, I did not participate in social activities. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I did not use the school's job placement and career services since I was already employed when I began the program. What I have heard from others is that Drexel's career services is superior to that of many other schools. In addition, relationships gained from co-ops prove to be invaluable. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | I'm not very active in the alumni association, but there is constant communication from the association to all alumni. There are numerous events, business seminars, networking sessions, trips, mixers, and personal and career development opportunities offered. |
Temple University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Finance And Accounting (completion in 1995)
• 1/15/2012
"No student debt - it was very affordable. Great faculty and campus life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Outstanding school. Great reputation in the Northeast area. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | There are many accounting and finance graduates in the area. The school has a great reputation. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Temple University had an excellent business school. I got my first job through an internship arranged by Temple. |
| Instruction | 10 | I had excellent professors who had real world experience. I learned a lot from my classes. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The coursework, especially graduate school, was challenging. I spent many hours studying for my exams. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very hands on learning. Most professors work in their fields. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Many course offerings to choose from. Very flexible scheduling. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Computer labs have vastly improved. Technology has improved since I graduated. |
| Social Life | 5 | Temple is located in a poor area, North Philadelphia. Dorms and other parts of the campus have improved since I graduated. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Career placements and internships were great. Very helpful staff. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Alumni network is strong in the Philadelphia area. I made many contacts through LinkedIn as well. |
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