Explore Career Options with a Online Master's in Taxation Degrees
According to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, Americans spend billions of hours per year trying to make sense of federal tax code. Very often, they turn to tax professionals for help in doing so. The lucrative field of taxation is growing, with an increased demand for talented professionals who are able to make sense of complicated tax codes and laws.
While a bachelor's degree and some work experience are often enough to land you an entry-level job in taxation, the highest paid tax professionals must earn a graduate degree. Individuals with Master's in Taxation are eligible to receive Certified Public Accountant Designation, as well as explore administrative and executive roles that are often not available with only an undergraduate degree.
Featured Online Programs
Earning a master's degree in Taxation is highly beneficial, with the average tax accountant or collector earning well over $69,350 per year. These jobs are expected to grow significantly over the next few years, with an expected 10 percent boost in available jobs by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you're already working in taxation, you might not be sure how you will fit the rigors of a graduate program into your already packed schedule - particularly during tax season. Luckily, earning an online master's offers you the flexibility and support you need to earn a degree by working around your schedule and offering classes at the times that fit your needs.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Top 20 Online Master's in Taxation
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Northeastern University Global NetworkLocation
Boston, MA
Tuition$49497
Northeastern University's Master of Science in Taxation is taught by expert faculty in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business. Thirty total credits are required, all of which can be completed entirely online and completed in just 16 months of part-time study. Both theoretical and hands-on courses are delivered asynchronously and cover topics such as Estate and Gift Taxations, Partners and Partnerships, Corporations, and Federal Tax Issues. Two concentrations are available, allowing students to specialize their studies in either Taxation of Entities or Taxation of Individuals. The program requires no GRE or GMAT, making it an excellent choice for nontraditional learners.
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Florida Atlantic UniversityLocation
Boca Raton, FL
Tuition$4831
The curriculum of the Master of Taxation at Florida Atlantic University includes ten courses designed for specialists who are already working in a private or governmental setting. Students will take courses such as Federal Income Tax, Corporate Taxation, Partnership Taxation, and Tax Research. Students may study on either a full- or part-time basis, with all courses meeting the requirements for CPA licensure. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 24:1, this program offers a flexible, supportive learning environment to both full and part-time students. Courses are self-directed, meaning you don't move on in your coursework until you have mastered the content of prior work.
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University of CincinnatiLocation
Blue Ash, OH
Tuition$11000
The Master of Science in Taxation at the University of Cincinnati includes coursework in a number of engaging, industry-relevant fields. For example, students will take classes such as IRS Practice and Procedure, Federal Tax Research for individuals and businesses, and Corporations. Students will receive extensive practice in writing professional research papers on taxation and are also required to complete final capstone courses in which they demonstrate their career readiness. Class sizes are small, and because courses are accelerated, most students graduate in just around a year. The program is offered through the University of Cincinnati's accredited business school, which is regarded as one of the best business schools in the country by The Princeton Review.
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University of DenverLocation
Denver, CO
Tuition$48669
The Master of Taxation at the University of Denver is designed for individuals who want to improve their skills in the field of taxation. Thirty credit hours of study are required, with eight core courses that can be completed on either a full- or part-time basis. Students take a variety of classes, including those in topics like tax principles and estate planning. Classes are taught by talented instructors with extensive experience in the field, with tiny class sizes of fewer than 20 students apiece. This program is unique in that students engage in the same classes via live classroom presentations and discussions (which can also be accessed asynchronously) as their on-campus counterparts. Tuition is identical to the on-campus version of this program as well.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignLocation
Champaign, IL
Tuition$15074
This practice-oriented degree prepares students for success in all manners of accounting careers. It provides the prerequisites necessary for taking the Certified Public Accountant Exam and is designed for those already working in the accounting field. Offered in a flexible program format, it allows students to balance their studies with their existing obligations. Most students take around four semesters to complete their studies. This degree has consistently ranked in the top three in the U.S. News & World Report as well as the Public Accounting Report, a testament to the program's hands-on nature and profound academic rigor.
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University of Southern CaliforniaLocation
Los Angeles, CA
Tuition$54259
The 30 credit-hour program in Taxation at the University of Southern California is designed for accounting professionals who are already working in the field. It is offered both synchronously and asynchronously, with students required to meet online for an hour each week as a group. Courses contain a combination of live video feeds, individual activities, and guest speakers. The program can be completed in less than two years of part-time study. The program is relatively small, with a student-to-faculty ratio of just 9:1 and class sizes under 40 students apiece. An active alumni association helps to engage students in networking and career development opportunities upon graduation.
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Golden Gate University-San FranciscoLocation
San Francisco, CA
Tuition$16095
The program in Taxation at Golden Gate University - San Francisco prepares students to work in high-level taxation careers. It can be completed in two years of full-time study, with all online courses delivered asynchronously. Students will take classes in a variety of topics, such as Individual Tax, Estate and Gift Tax, International Tax, and Retirement Plans. Graduates are successful upon leaving Golden Gate, with many candidates highly sought-after by Big Four accounting firms like Ernst and Young. The curriculum is delivered in a self-paced, asynchronous format, so you can study when it fits your schedule. The program also offers a flexible enrollment process that allows students to begin their studies at any point throughout the year.
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Bentley UniversityLocation
Waltham, MA
Tuition$48000
The Master of Taxation at Bentley University has graduated thousands of successful tax professionals. The degree requires ten courses, dividing students' studies equally in core coursework and electives. Electives include unique, career-focused options like Pass-Through Entities and Intellectual Properties. Final internships or practicum experiences are also required to give students more hands-on experience. The degree is tailored to working professionals and offers live stream courses as well as asynchronous material. This degree is ranked as one of the Best Online Graduate Programs in Business by U.S. News & World Report, as well as one of the best overall in PayScale's College Salary Report. With a 95 percent domestic placement rate, this taxation program is one of the best of its kind.
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San Jose State UniversityLocation
San Jose, CA
Tuition$7721
The Master of Science in Taxation at San Jose State University gives students experience in topics like tax research and the complexity of taxation law. Classes are highly flexible and work around the stressful requirements of the busy tax season. Each course lasts roughly eight weeks, with admission available at three start points throughout the year. Courses are affordable, with tuition starting at just $645 per unit. Five accounting courses are required to help students broaden their understanding of the diverse world of taxation. Financial aid, GRE waivers, and multiple scholarship opportunities are available to help make a college degree more accessible and affordable for students of all backgrounds and financial standpoints.
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St John's UniversityLocation
Queens, NY
Tuition$40520
The Master of Science in Taxation at St. John's University has become increasingly popular, with the program granting students access to a top-notch education. The program explores topics such as estates, gifts, and trusts, tax issues related to financial products or employee compensation, and much more. All courses are taught by working professionals and give students access to key technological tools like major tax services. The faculty of this program is led by experienced certified public accountants, as well as individuals holding J.D. and L.L.M. degrees in taxation. This level of expertise contributes to St. John's distinguished industry reputation, along with its ranking as one of the Best Online Graduate Programs in Business by U.S. News & World Report.
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University of AkronLocation
Akron, OH
Tuition$10270
The curriculum of this program includes a core set of foundational courses, many of which can be waived for individuals who have already received training or are practicing CPAs. The program is available in an accelerated format, allowing students to earn an undergraduate degree in Accounting along with a Master of Taxation in just 150 semester credit hours. Otherwise, this stand-alone program can be completed in as little as 15 months, with 24 credits of required taxation courses. Key coursework includes studies in topics like Tax Policy and Ethics, State and Local Taxation, and Taxation of Partnerships.
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DePaul UniversityLocation
Chicago, IL
Tuition$39010
The Master of Science in Taxation at DePaul University is designed for working tax professionals seeking to bolster their comprehension of tax regulations, court cases, tax law, and the Internal Revenue Code. Requiring 45 credit-hours of study, this program is entirely asynchronous. Each week, candidates are required to meet with their professors via a live webcast, allowing them to interact on a personal level and to ask pressing questions. This program was one of the first master's programs in taxation in the United States and is highly respected by industry professionals. It is ranked third in Tax Talent's Top in Tax survey of employers of 2017, a testament to the program's academic rigor and reputation.
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University of HartfordLocation
West Hartford, CT
Tuition$38910
The University of Hartford's degree in Taxation is offered through the Barney School of Business, an internationally accredited business school. The school is led by high-quality faculty and offers a curriculum that is both challenging and industry-relevant. Each course is roughly seven weeks in length and allows students to complete just one course at a time. Core courses include topics like Taxation of Business Organizations and Research in Taxation. A rigorous elective curriculum is also available, allowing students to take 15 credits of topics that interest them most. The program offers open enrollment, allowing students to complete their degrees quickly and seamlessly.
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Nova Southeastern UniversityLocation
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tuition$29930
The Master of Science in Taxation at Nova Southeastern University takes most students just 21 months to complete. With a set of seven core courses and five elective courses, students can tailor their studies to the topics that interest them most. Available elective courses include topics like Real Estate Taxation, Fiduciary Income Taxation, and State and Local Taxation. This program is both practical and hands-on, allowing students to explore tax issues in real-world situations. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 17:1, Nova Southeastern offers students a program that is relevant and can be started at one of three convenient start times throughout the year.
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Liberty UniversityLocation
Lynchburg, VA
Tuition$21310
The entirely online program in Taxation at Liberty University can be completed in eight-week segments. It allows students to transfer in up to 50 percent of their required credits from another university, making this a flexible option for career- or degree- changers. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs, giving degrees added value. The degree is taught by experts in auditing and taxation and is developed around a profound Christianity-centered curriculum. The university is ranked in the top five of over 2,100 online colleges and universities for its academic quality and affordability. Tuition at this university has not increased in over three years in this degree, which allows students to network with experts in taxation from around the country.
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Portland State UniversityLocation
Portland, OR
Tuition$8783
The Master of Science in Taxation at Portland State University includes an innovative curriculum that was developed through close collaboration with tax professionals. Therefore, it is one of the most relevant and most reflective of the modern accounting industry. All coursework is offered entirely online, but students are required to attend campus sessions once per quarter to connect with peers, industry professionals, and instructors. All online students receive the same exceptional support services that they would when studying on-campus, including career development services and one-on-one advising. It meets all requirements to take the Certified Public Accountant examination and is taught by faculty with extensive experience in the practice and instruction of taxation procedures.
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University of MinnesotaLocation
Crookston, MN
Tuition$14417
The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota offers a degree in Business Taxation that is regarded as one of the top graduate tax programs in the nation. Students are taught by world-class faculty with a wealth of industry experience and are given the ability to interact with a robust and thriving business community. All courses can be taken online in this program that is regarded as the first in the ranking of the Top 40 Values in Master of Taxation Degree Programs by Online Accounting Degrees. Students in this program enjoy a network of over 1,000 alumni and professional connections to employers around the country.
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University of New HavenLocation
West Haven, CT
Tuition$38170
The Master of Science in Taxation at the University of New Haven prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination. It is designed for current professionals, with graduates of the program among the most successful in obtaining employment in high-level executive positions. Faculty are leaders in the field, bringing to the classroom extensive professional experience and teaching abilities. Each student has access to the university's nationally-acclaimed Career Development Center, regarded as one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review. In this degree, students may pursue a concentration in Taxation or receive an additional Taxation certificate.
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Southern New Hampshire UniversityLocation
Manchester, NH
Tuition$31136
The Master of Science in Accounting at Southern New Hampshire University offers a concentration in Taxation that can be completed in just 15 months. Each student is required to take two courses per ten-week term, with each course delivered in an entirely asynchronous format. The curriculum is designed with the guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in mind. It is taught by talented industry professionals who share their experiences and knowledge of taxation trends and practices. The program requires no GMAT or GRE for admission, making it ideal for career-changers or for working professionals.
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California State University-NorthridgeLocation
Northridge, CA
Tuition$23160
The David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University is designed for students who want to take classes in person or online. Requiring only 19 months of study, this program is ranked as one of the best by BestAccountingSchools.com. Ninety percent of all courses are taught by leading tax practitioners, many of whom are practicing CPAs or hold additional law degrees. Students receive the opportunity to participate in professional development opportunities, like publishing the in the student-run Tax Development Journal or the Tax Challenge Project. The program is taught in a cohort format and meets requirements for CPA licensure.
Methodology: Here's How We Rank Schools
Metric | Data Used | Percentage |
Academic Quality | Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates | 25% |
Affordability | Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid | 35% |
Reputation | Admission and enrollment rates | 15% |
Program Offerings | Number of program options | 10% |
Online Enrollment Score | Portion of learners taking at least one online course | 15% |
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Selection Criteria
We know you're busy crunching numbers and examining important financial records - you don't have time to pore through the thousands of schools that offer online degrees in Taxation. Therefore, we've done it for you. We looked at the most important features a college degree should have, and compiled a list of the Best Online Masters in Taxation. In order to make the final cut, a school could be either private or public but needed to have an online degree that was actively enrolling students.
Ranking Factors
After making a list of online Master's in Taxation, we narrowed down our list to schools that were the best of their kind. We looked closely at the following characteristics when creating our final list:
- Academic Rigor
- Accessibility
- Accreditation
- Cost and Affordability
- Accolades and Program Recognitions
These weren't the only factors we examined, however, as our decision-making process was intensive. If you're interested in learning more about how we made the final cut, take a look at our methodology page.
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