Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] (Accounting)
Field of Study:
$16,704 /Yr
California State University Master of Business Administration Accounting is a graduate, on-campus full-time Main Track in Los Angeles. The programme requires 36 units, and the university publishes no fixed duration for completing them. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree and GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (approximately 55% to 60%, or CGPA 5.5 to 6.0 on 10). Spring 2027 tuition is unpublished; Fall 2026 tuition was US$47,796.16 (INR 46.15 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.
The Accounting option keeps the MBA core broad while directing the elective block toward accounting, so it suits applicants seeking management breadth with an accounting-focused career. Core study covers accounting information, leadership, marketing, finance, operations, global business, information systems and strategy before a consulting, research or field-study project. Applicants wanting a more accounting-specialist route should compare this option with the separate MS Accounting, which offers taxation, financial accounting and information systems options.
- BUS 5021 covers financial statement analysis, internal control, accounting ethics and corporate governance.
- BUS 5027 links integrated business processes with data analytics and business intelligence.
- MBA students can use graduate advisement, career development and graduate writing support while planning the 36-unit sequence.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 31 August 2026.
The international window is open for applicants who need an F-1 visa, and supporting documents are due by 18 September 2026. Files are reviewed only when complete, so arrange transcript evaluation and English scores before submission.
Also Check: Cal State LA MBA admission details
Cal State LA MBA Accounting Fees and Living Costs 2027
Spring 2027 tuition is unpublished after checking the current MBA page and student-fee information. The Fall 2026 figures below are a labelled prior-cycle reference for the same 36-unit Main Track, not a confirmed Spring charge.
Prior-cycle fee context: The four-term illustration uses the international graduate base charge, non-resident tuition and MBA professional programme fee shown below.
| Charge | Prior-cycle amount (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate base and mandatory fees per full-time term | US$4,821.04 | INR 4.65 Lakhs |
| Non-resident tuition per unit | US$471 | INR 45,477 |
| MBA professional programme fee per unit | US$321 | INR 30,994 |
| Four-term 36-unit academic charge | US$47,796.16 | INR 46.15 Lakhs |
| Graduate application fee | US$70 | INR 6,759 |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 96.5537 as of 12 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: Cal State LA official student-fee schedule and Fall 2026 MBA fee calculation.
The four-term illustration uses 4 x US$4,821.04 (INR 4.65 Lakhs) plus 36 x US$471 (INR 45,477). It adds 36 x US$321 (INR 30,994) and totals US$47,796.16 (INR 46.15 Lakhs).
The target fee remains unpublished after the current checks. Verify the target fee on the official fee page before using any fee in a loan application.
- Retain the full prior-cycle amount when checking loan eligibility because Spring 2027 tuition has not been released.
- Reconfirm the US$70 application fee (INR 6,759) before submitting because it is a prior-cycle reference.
- Keep the academic charge separate from living costs, visa charges, health insurance and travel.
Cost of Living in Los Angeles for MBA Accounting Students
The university’s official 2026-27 cost-of-attendance estimate is a combined student budget rather than a rent-only quote. The source does not provide a verified housing, food or transport split for this page.
Living-cost context: The monthly figure below is a calculation from the official annual estimate, while the annual figure is the published amount.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | Annual (USD) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official combined student cost estimate | US$2,593.50 | INR 2.50 Lakhs | US$31,122 | INR 30.05 Lakhs |
The official annual estimate is separate from a residence-price range and from any Student visa maintenance evidence. Use it as the university’s combined planning input, not as a guaranteed monthly bill.
A prior-cycle planning illustration uses US$47,796.16 (INR 46.15 Lakhs) for four terms plus two years of US$31,122 (INR 30.05 Lakhs) annual living. That arithmetic equals US$110,040.16 (INR 1.06 Crore), before visa, insurance, travel and any fee change.
Fee verification note
Because Spring 2027 tuition is unpublished, use the Fall 2026 calculation only as a planning illustration and verify the new fee schedule before accepting an offer.
Key insight: The prior-cycle academic charge and official living estimate already create a substantial planning base, so verify Spring 2027 fees before committing to funding.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting Admission 2027
The MBA Accounting option accepts a bachelor’s degree from any major, but the published academic floor is GPA 2.5 on 4.0 or equivalent last study period. Indian applicants should treat the university’s conversion as final, while the range below is approximate.
The Spring 2027 instructions require a résumé, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters, unofficial transcripts and English proficiency for international students. The GMAT and GRE are not required for MBA applicants, so the application must show readiness through its academic and professional evidence.
The GMAT means Graduate Management Admission Test, while GRE means Graduate Record Examination. These are standardised admissions tests, and the current MBA instructions remove both from the required file.
Academic Requirements for MBA Accounting
The table separates the published minimum from the documents that Indian applicants must prepare. A complete file matters because the university says incomplete applications are not processed.
| Requirement | Current MBA requirement | Indian-applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | Degree from any major is accepted. | Upload academic records for every institution attended. |
| Academic threshold | GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, approximately 55% to 60%, or CGPA 5.5 to 6.0 on 10. | Show the overall record and the last qualifying study period. |
| Application materials | Professional résumé, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters and unofficial transcripts. | Prepare one consistent career narrative across all four items. |
| Foundational preparation | BUS 5000 must be completed with a B or higher before MBA courses unless a waiver applies. | Ask the department whether your prior business study supports a waiver. |
| GMAT and GRE | Spring 2027 instructions state that neither test is required for MBA applicants. | Use the saved preparation time to strengthen the statement and supporting records. |
The current MBA requirement list does not state a minimum work-experience duration. Your résumé should therefore document responsibility, analysis and decision-making without presenting experience as a hidden threshold.
A programme-specific ranking position was not published in the checked official sources, so broader university or business rankings are not treated as an MBA Accounting ranking here.
English Language Proficiency for MBA Accounting 2027
English-language proficiency (ELP) is an international admission requirement when the university requests an accepted test score. ELP means the university checks a published test threshold, so an English-medium background should not be treated as an automatic waiver.
The main routes are Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and Duolingo English Test (DET). TOEFL iBT means the internet-based test, and its current policy must be matched to the examination date.
| Test | Published minimum | Indian-applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80 iBT or higher before 21 January 2026; 4.0 iBT or higher on or after 21 January 2026. | Use the scale matching the test date. |
| IELTS | 6.0 or higher | Submit the official score report with the application file. |
| PTE Academic | 53 or higher | Check score-reporting timing before the deadline. |
| DET | 105 or higher | Confirm that the score can be sent before document review. |
The current requirement set does not record an English-medium waiver for this MBA. Ask admissions to confirm any waiver before omitting an accepted score from the Spring 2027 file.
- Select a test whose score-reporting timeline fits the 31 August 2026 international deadline.
- Match every TOEFL score to the test-date policy because the published 80 and 4.0 scales are not interchangeable.
- Use the absence of a GMAT or GRE requirement to improve the résumé, statement, recommendations and transcript record.
Check Out: Cal State LA university profile
Tip for Indian students: The 2.5 GPA floor is accessible across degree backgrounds, but complete records and the correct English-test scale remain essential for a Spring 2027 file.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting Application 2027
Spring 2027 is the current target because the MBA international deadline is 31 August 2026. The application window runs from 1 July to 31 August 2026, and supporting documents are due by 18 September 2026.
Fall 2027 is the announced backup intake, with preview access from 1 August 2026, submission from 1 October 2026 and an international deadline of 15 February 2027. Both dates are published for international applicants who require an F-1 visa, while no Summer MBA deadline appears in the checked graduate tables.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting Deadlines
The schedule below separates the two published MBA intakes and shows the supporting-document checkpoint for Indian applicants. The university does not publish decision dates or time-of-day cutoffs for these MBA entries.
Application timing context: Spring 2027 is open for international submission, while Fall 2027 is announced but not yet open for submission.
| Stage | Official timing | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 international application | 1 July to 31 August 2026; time not published | Submit the MBA Accounting application through Cal State Apply. |
| Spring 2027 supporting documents | 18 September 2026; time not published | Send transcripts, evaluation report, recommendations, statement, résumé and English score. |
| Spring 2027 classes begin | 25 January 2027 | Use the start date when planning visa processing and arrival. |
| Fall 2027 application preview | 1 August 2026 | Review the future application before submission opens. |
| Fall 2027 submission opening | 1 October 2026 | Submit through Cal State Apply if using the later intake. |
| Fall 2027 international deadline | 15 February 2027; time not published | Use this date as the backup intake cutoff. |
| Fall 2027 classes begin | 23 August 2027 | Align the visa appointment and housing plan with the start date. |
The Spring 2027 target is open, so Indian applicants with ready records should submit the university application and documents as one coordinated file. Applicants who cannot finish evaluation or ELP evidence for Spring can use Fall 2027, but the later date is not a deferral because Cal State LA does not defer admission.
How to Build the MBA Accounting Application
Cal State Apply is the required university application route, followed by official document submission and department review. The current instructions say the full process can take 8 to 12 weeks, so document readiness affects the practical timeline.
The Accounting option needs a specific academic story because the MBA combines management breadth with accounting analysis. Connect your past study or work with financial decisions, controls, reporting, systems or the management problems you want to solve.
- Use the statement to connect prior study or work with accounting decisions, management breadth and the intended option.
- Ask recommenders to address analytical judgment, communication and readiness for the BUS 5000 sequence.
- Upload unofficial transcripts for department review and arrange official records after submission.
- Complete the foreign credential evaluation early because international records are part of the Spring document file.
Read More: USA application timeline guide
Application tip: The Spring 2027 deadline is open, but the document checkpoint follows quickly, so Indian applicants should start evaluation before finalising Cal State Apply.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting Scholarships 2027
No target-cycle tuition award for an incoming Spring 2027 MBA Accounting student is published in the checked funding material. The available routes combine a later tuition waiver, reimbursement schemes and department appointments.
These routes have different eligibility and payment mechanics, so none should be deducted from unpublished Spring tuition. The waiver is remission rather than cash, while other routes depend on approved expenses or separate appointments.
Funding Routes for MBA Accounting Students
The table identifies the award basis, cycle and practical route for an Indian international applicant. A published percentage or fixed award is not converted into a target-cycle tuition reduction.
Funding context: The waiver is linked to the following Fall cycle, while the reimbursement and appointment routes require later eligibility.
| Funding route | Value | INR equivalent | Eligibility or route | Cycle or deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Student Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Program | In-state tuition and fees; fixed value not published | No fixed INR amount | Limited non-resident and international students through the College Associate Dean’s Office | 5 March 2027 for 2027-28 and the following Fall term |
| Travel Support Program | Up to US$750 reimbursement | Up to INR 72,415 | Eligible domestic conference travel for graduate students | Current published 2026-27 route |
| Culminating Project Fund | Reimbursement for approved project supplies, equipment and services | Amount not published | Approved culminating-project expenses | Current route; deadline not published |
| Graduate Assistant and Teaching Associate positions | Department appointment; compensation follows the posting | Compensation follows the posting | Department-specific openings for eligible admitted or enrolled students | Opening-specific |
The tuition waiver deadline is 5 March 2027 for the 2027-28 cycle, so it does not confirm funding for the Spring 2027 start. Ask the College Associate Dean’s Office whether an admitted student can use the route for the following Fall term.
Travel Support can reimburse eligible domestic conference costs during 2026-27, but it is not an entry scholarship. The project fund and assistant appointments also require separate approval, so the gross fee model remains the safer funding baseline.
- Keep the full Spring 2027 fee model intact because no target-cycle tuition remission is confirmed.
- Ask about the waiver after admission because eligibility is limited and the route is not a cash scholarship.
- Search department postings for assistant roles because MBA admission does not promise an appointment.
- Use Travel Support only as later reimbursement and not as evidence that tuition or living costs are funded.
Check Out: USA scholarship options guide
Funding note
The later tuition-waiver route is not confirmed Spring funding, so secure the full fee and living-cost plan before relying on an appointment.
Scholarship reality: The published routes may reduce later costs, but Spring 2027 applicants should arrange funding without assuming a tuition award.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting Salary 2027
Cal State LA does not publish a current MBA Accounting cohort report with salary, offer rate or sector mix. That absence means no course-specific placement probability or graduate salary can be stated.
The MBA curriculum includes accounting information, finance, systems and a final project, which can support several accounting and management directions. However, curriculum content is not an employment outcome, so the market figures below are context only.
The ROI decision is evidence-limited because the prior-cycle cost is known, but course outcomes and a target-cycle tuition are not published. Use the verified inputs to test funding and work-window risk rather than calculate a guaranteed payback.
External Accounting Salary Benchmarks
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports annual wages for the wider U.S. occupation, not Cal State LA graduates. Its May 2024 figures can frame accounting-related roles, but they do not predict an MBA Accounting outcome.
External benchmark context: The amounts below are gross annual wages, and the occupation median is separate from sector-specific figures.
| Evidence scope | Benchmark | Gross annual wage (USD) | INR equivalent | Decision use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External U.S. market benchmark | Accountants and auditors median, May 2024 | US$81,680 | INR 78.87 Lakhs | Broad accounting occupation reference |
| External sector benchmark | Finance and insurance, May 2024 | US$87,980 | INR 84.95 Lakhs | Sector context for finance-related roles |
| External sector benchmark | Management of companies and enterprises, May 2024 | US$86,010 | INR 83.05 Lakhs | Sector context for corporate accounting roles |
| External sector benchmark | Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services, May 2024 | US$80,510 | INR 77.74 Lakhs | Sector context for public-practice roles |
| External sector benchmark | Government excluding state and local education and hospitals, May 2024 | US$81,120 | INR 78.32 Lakhs | Sector context for public-sector accounting roles |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics accountants and auditors profile, May 2024 wage data.
These figures are external job-market benchmarks, not course-cohort outcomes or placement rates. Gross salary is not take-home pay because tax and payroll deductions vary, so use the IRS tax withholding estimator after receiving a verified offer.
ROI for Indian Applicants
For Indian applicants, the ROI test should start with the prior-cycle cost and the absence of course outcomes. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the standard post-study work route, while a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) extension is conditional for eligible degrees.
The Accounting MBA’s STEM status is not confirmed in the checked programme material. This makes the standard 12-month work window the safer planning assumption until international advising confirms eligibility.
- The prior-cycle four-term academic charge is US$47,796.16 (INR 46.15 Lakhs), so verify Spring 2027 tuition before signing a loan.
- Two years of official US$31,122 (INR 30.05 Lakhs) living costs create a US$110,040.16 (INR 1.06 Crore) prior-cycle illustration before visa costs, so test funding.
- The external US$81,680 (INR 78.87 Lakhs) accountant median is not a graduate outcome, so use it only to test whether your target role can support the cost.
- The 5 March 2027 waiver deadline covers the following Fall cycle, so secure funding without treating it as Spring tuition remission.
- Standard OPT lasts 12 months, while STEM eligibility is unconfirmed for this MBA, so build an American job-search and India-return decision within that window.
ROI evidence boundary
The salary evidence is occupational rather than course-specific, so request recent destination data from the department and model both U.S. employment and India-return outcomes.
ROI reality: The MBA combines a high prior-cycle planning cost with no published course salary outcome, so Indian applicants should test employment and India-return scenarios separately.
United States Visa for Cal State LA MBA Accounting Students 2027
International students in the United States need an F-1 student visa and Form I-20 for this full-time MBA. The visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,862), and the I-901 SEVIS fee is US$350 (INR 33,794). SEVIS means Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which records international student status. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the standard post-study work route linked to the degree.
- Standard OPT allows up to 12 months, while a 24-month science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) extension requires an eligible degree and is not confirmed for this MBA.
- The H-1B planning reference is US$60,000 (INR 57.93 Lakhs), but selection is lottery-based and wage compliance uses the higher actual or prevailing wage.
- Employment-based second-preference (EB-2) or third-preference (EB-3) residence routes have variable priority dates, so no fixed settlement timeline can be promised.
- F-2 dependents may accompany the student, but F-2 spouses face employment restrictions.
Check current fee and visa instructions on the official U.S. student visa page before payment. Visa processing is separate from admission and does not change the MBA’s academic deadline.
Check Out: USA student visa guide
Visa reality: The reliable baseline is F-1 study plus 12-month OPT, while STEM extension, H-1B selection and permanent residence require separate eligibility decisions.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting fits applicants who want accounting depth inside a broad management degree rather than a specialist accounting qualification. The 36-unit Main Track links accounting information, finance, systems, global business and an applied project. The material tradeoff is financial because Spring 2027 tuition and course salary outcomes remain unpublished, while post-study work beyond 12 months is not confirmed. The next action is to complete records and submit the Spring 2027 application by 31 August 2026, with documents due by 18 September 2026.
Cal State LA MBA Accounting FAQs
Ques. Is the MBA Accounting option suitable for an applicant without a business degree?
Ans. Yes. The MBA accepts bachelor’s degrees from all majors, but applicants without foundational business knowledge may need BUS 5000 before progressing through MBA courses.
Ques. Does the Accounting option lead to the same preparation as the separate Master of Science in Accounting?
Ans. No. The MBA Accounting option combines a 24-unit management core with accounting-focused electives. The separate Master of Science in Accounting offers specialist options in taxation, financial accounting and information systems.
Ques. How should Indian applicants budget when Spring 2027 tuition is unpublished?
Ans. Use the Fall 2026 prior-cycle academic charge of US$47,796.16 (INR 46.15 Lakhs) plus the annual living estimate of US$31,122 (INR 30.05 Lakhs). Treat the resulting US$110,040.16 (INR 1.06 Crore) two-year illustration as planning context, not a target fee.
Ques. Which 2027 intake should an international MBA Accounting applicant choose?
Ans. Spring 2027 is open until 31 August 2026, with supporting documents due by 18 September 2026. Fall 2027 is the backup intake with submission from 1 October 2026 and a 15 February 2027 international deadline.
Ques. What career and post-study work evidence is available for this MBA?
Ans. The university does not publish a course-cohort salary report. The external accountant median is US$81,680 (INR 78.87 Lakhs), while standard OPT is 12 months and STEM extension eligibility is unconfirmed for this MBA.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $16704 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Housing & Meals | $19696 |
| Transportation | $2288 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $16244 |
| 2023 | $16296 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
Scores Required
- A GMAT score of 550 or higher/ GRE 300 is required
- Students must have maintained a GPA of at least 2.5
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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 20,000/Yr$20,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$ 10,000/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,000/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
Similar Programs
| Program | Important Date | Total Fees | Median Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
-- | USD 10,252 /Yr |
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-- | USD 47,850 /Yr |
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-- | USD 28,134 /Yr |
| ||
Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2027 Intake (30th Nov 2026) | USD 21,582 /Yr |
| ||
Application Deadline For Fall 2027 Intake (1st Oct 2026) Application Deadline For Summer 2027 Intake (1st Nov 2026) | USD 9,934 /Yr |
|
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