Accounting Schools in California
8 California schools offer Accounting. Average graduate earnings run 11% below the national average — something worth factoring in alongside tuition, location, and program fit.
Accounting Training in California: What You Need to Know
Local program supply
California has 8 schools offering Accounting programs, concentrated in 5 cities including {'city': 'Sacramento', 'city_slug': 'sacramento', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 41351.0}, {'city': 'Ventura', 'city_slug': 'ventura', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 37356.0}, {'city': 'Modesto', 'city_slug': 'modesto', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 35186.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.
Earnings vs. national
Accounting graduates in California earn approximately $31,973/year on average, which is -11% below the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
California-specific licensing
Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify California-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.
How California compares
Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting programs in California is 62/100. Cost of living, wage levels, and program supply all vary by state — see the school list below ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score, which combines earnings, debt, and job-market demand.
Accounting Programs in California
All 8 California schools offering Accounting, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CA |
87 |
| 2 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA |
75 |
| 3 | Asher College Sacramento, CA |
65 |
| 4 | Ventura Adult and Continuing Education Ventura, CA |
62 |
| 5 | Stellar Career College Modesto, CA |
61 |
| 6 | Summit College San Bernardino, CA |
51 |
| 7 | CET-San Jose San Jose, CA |
49 |
| 8 | CET-El Centro El Centro, CA |
49 |
Where Accounting Programs Cluster in California
Cities with the most Accounting programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.
| City | Schools | Avg Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | 1 | $41,351/yr |
| Ventura, CA | 1 | $37,356/yr |
| Modesto, CA | 1 | $35,186/yr |
| San Bernardino, CA | 1 | $20,055/yr |
| San Jose, CA | 1 | $14,972/yr |
Compare Accounting in Other States
Considering a nearby state? Here's how California compares to others with strong Accounting offerings.