Getting a degree in taxation can open the door to a variety of career opportunities, from tax auditing, to consulting, and advising.
Tax professionals typically work with individuals or businesses to prepare, file, and process taxes. They may also offer advice on the best strategies for managing tax structures.
To work in taxation, you usually need a college degree in accounting, finance, or taxation. A master's degree can help you pursue management opportunities. Some roles may require a certified public accountant (CPA) license depending on the position.
Discover more about taxation degrees and careers on this page, so you can find the right graduate degree for you.
The Top Online Taxation MBAs of 2023
We've created a list of the top three online MBAs in taxation in 2023. Click on the link below to learn more about how we rank these programs, or scroll down to explore the best online degrees in the field.
The Best Online MBA Programs in Taxation: At a Glance
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Rank
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School
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Admissions Insights
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Outcomes by the Numbers
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1.
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Pennsylvania State University World Campus | University Park, PA
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- Online Enrollment: 13,979
- Tuition: $59,328
- Average GMAT Score: 650-760
- Average Starting Salary: $85,000
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2.
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St. John's University | Queens, NY
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- Online Enrollment: 70
- Tuition: $1,280/credit
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3.
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University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH
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- Minimum Undergrad GPA: 3.0
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
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- Online Enrollment: 90
- Tuition: $1,000/credit (resident) or $1,015/credit (non-resident)
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#1 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs in Taxation
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
- University Park, PA
- 4 years
- Campus
Opened in 1998, Pennsylvania State University World Campus continues the accessible educational tradition that Penn State started in 1855. The campus now offers 175 degree and certificate programs in areas such as business, education, and technology.
Master of Business Administration
Penn State World Campus' master of business administration equips students with the knowledge and skills to solve complex business challenges. The 48-credit program features 25 distinct concentrations, including taxation. Enrollees take 39 core credits and nine concentration credits. Course options include taxation, international taxation, and survey of tax topics.
Each learner participates in an on-campus or virtual residency. Internationally engaged students can also complete an optional global immersion experience for 1-3 credits. Previous experiences have taken place in Johannesburg, South Africa; Shanghai, China; Prague, Czech Republic; and Santiago, Chile.
Upon graduation, students can join a 90,000-member business school alumni network with global connections.
Penn State World Campus' Affordability
Penn State World Campus charges $1,236 per credit for students taking 11 credits or less or a flat fee of $14,832 per semester for students enrolled in 12-plus credits. The school offers merit-based scholarships, employer reimbursement, and tuition deferments for qualifying students.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: MSCHE, AACSB
- Tuition: $1,236/credit
- Required Credits: 48
- Program Length: 2-3 years
- Delivery Format: 100% online (asynchronous) or hybrid
- Admissions
- Process: Each applicant must send a resume, two references, and an essay to the admissions department. You may be contacted for an interview.
- Standardized Tests: None
- Cost: $65
Out-of-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs in Taxation
St. John's University-New York
- Queens, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
This private Roman Catholic university maintains six campuses in four countries and serves more than 19,600 students. The university's Red Storm fields 17 NCAA Division I teams.
MBA – Taxation
St. John's offers its online MBA in taxation through the Peter J. Tobin College of Business. Students complete eight core courses, three concentration courses, and a capstone project. Course options include managing for global success; decisions in marketing management; and law, ethics and the principled path in business.
As part of the program, enrollees engage with case studies, real-world projects, and global perspectives. New students attend Tobin Graduate Intensive Foundations, a required three-day workshop designed to standardize fundamental and quantitative analytical skills in business. Once enrolled in the online courses, students can complete the program entirely online.
St. John's Affordability
St. John's MBA in taxation costs $1,280 per credit. Students may be able to access employer tuition reimbursements or veterans benefits to help cover costs. Learners with high academic achievements may also qualify for merit-based scholarships.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Private
- Accreditation: MSCHE, AACSB
- Tuition: $1,280/credit
- Required Credits: 36
- Program Length: 3 years (part time) or 3 semesters (full time)
- Delivery Format: 100% online (asynchronous)
- Admissions
- Process: Each candidate submits transcripts, a statement of professional goals, a resume, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants with GPAs lower than 3.25 should also send GRE or GMAT scores
- Standardized Tests: GMAT of 550 or GRE of 310 with less than a 3.25 GPA
- Cost: $70
Percent Online Enrollment
70%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs in Taxation
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Situated in the heart of Cincinnati and serving 48,000 students, the University of Cincinnati (UC) offers 426 academic programs. The school's Bearcat athletics teams play in the NCAA Division I and the American Athletic Conference.
Master of Business Administration
The online MBA program at UC blends coursework in strategic thinking with courses in core business skills. Each enrollee can also choose a 12-credit certificate or concentration in areas such as individual taxation and corporate taxation. Courses may include partnership taxation, taxation of subchapter S corporations, state and local taxation, and estate and gift tax.
Students may complete their degrees in as little as one year, taking classes entirely online or at the university's Uptown campus. After graduation, alumni can pursue jobs as corporate tax managers, financial advisors, and forensic accountants. The school accepts applications for the fall, summer, and spring terms.
UC's Affordability
Ohio residents pay $1,000, and non-residents pay $1,015 per credit. Students may access scholarships, employer reimbursement, or military benefits to help with tuition. Ohio's relatively low cost of living may also help in-state students save money.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: HLC and AACSB
- Tuition: $1,000/credit (resident) or $1,015/credit (non-resident)
- Required Credits: 35-48
- Program Length: 1 year
- Delivery Format: 100% online
- Admissions
- Process: Each candidate submits their transcripts, a resume, a goal statement, and letters of recommendation. Standardized test scores are optional.
- GPA: 3.0
- Standardized Tests: GRE/GMAT optional
- Cost: $65
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
What is an MBA in Taxation?
An MBA is a graduate-level management and business degree with a concentration in taxation. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, the MBA is one of the most versatile business degrees you can earn. MBA programs can focus on general business or offer various concentrations like taxation or marketing.
All master's in taxation are not the same thing. Consider these different degrees:
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A master's in taxation emphasizes tax procedures and accounting.
It may help students pursue careers as certified internal auditors, enrolled agents, accredited tax advisors, or certified financial services auditors.
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A master of laws in taxation is an interdisciplinary degree for lawyers.
This program helps legal professionals learn to direct their clients through the complexities of tax law.
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A master of accountancy in taxation emphasizes auditing skills with added tax knowledge.
This degree prepares accounting generalists with specialized tax skills.
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An MBA with a concentration in taxation emphasizes business and management principles with coursework in taxation.
It prepares corporate leaders planning to focus their careers on tax accounting or management.
Is an MBA in Taxation Worth It?
Taxes are complicated. Professionals who can navigate the complex web of local, state, federal, and international taxation may pursue high-paying career opportunities.
According to a 2021 survey by the Graduate Management Admissions Council, the median starting salary for recent MBA graduates was $115,000. Executive MBA graduates, alumni from top business schools, and graduates with extensive experience may earn much more.
An MBA in taxation distinguishes itself from a regular MBA by incorporating a core of tax-related courses. These could include international taxation, state and local taxation, and corporate taxation and financial reporting.
Graduates understand both management problems and societal economic structures. Specifically, they can help evaluate business decisions in light of their tax consequences. Graduates can work for international accounting firms, corporate tax departments, mid-tier accounting offices, or even the Internal Revenue Service.
What the Best Online Taxation MBAs Have in Common
Many online MBAs in taxation feature similar educational and professional benefits. Consider the following five common features of the best online taxation MBAs:
Academic and Professional Resources
The best online MBA programs offer students easy access to the library, online job boards, and other campus resources. Although not studying on campus, students in these online programs can develop valuable professional relationships with professors, advisors, and other learners. The best MBA programs also help connect online students with business school alumni.
Uniform CPA Exam
CPAs earn an average annual salary of $73,420 as of April 2023, according to Payscale. Many MBA programs in taxation help students meet requirements to sit for the CPA exam. If you're interested in becoming a CPA, research the program's curriculum and whether it meets your state board's CPA requirements.
Real-world Learning Experiences
Many MBA students work on case studies, which are hypothetical or real-life business scenarios to learn the material. But, some of the best online MBA programs take it a bit further and require more hands-on experience. Students may provide consulting services to international companies, participate in a field experience course, or conduct actionable research for corporations. Some schools also offer gamified parallels to real-world experiences in their coursework.
Short Completion Times
An accelerated online MBA can take students from enrollment to graduation in 12 months or less. While some reputable programs may require more time than that, students should be able to finish their education quickly. Applicants may need several years of experience to qualify for an accelerated program.
One-on-one Technical Support
A high-quality online master’s degree in taxation will offer live 24/7 technical support via phone, email, or chat. These programs may also furnish personalized on-boarding advice and orientation to support their technology. If an MBA program has synchronous courses, you should also have access to video teleconferencing and support tools.
What Jobs Can an MBA in Taxation Get You?
An MBA in taxation helps prepare graduates to work in upper-level management roles. This degree combines broad-based leadership and business skills with the technical and theoretical foundations of tax management.
Students generally take tax-specific courses such as corporate taxation, individual tax planning, and tax research and writing. Some schools also require students to complete research projects in taxation. Graduates may qualify to take the Uniform CPA Examination.
For many professionals, an MBA is a pathway to becoming a CPA, starting a new career, or advancing in their current field. This master's program provides the academic instruction, networking opportunities , and hands-on experience to help make the transition.
Earning an MBA in taxation can lead to a career as a tax specialist, finance manager, or even a chief financial officer. These positions frequently offer high salaries. Payscale reported that the professionals with an MBA in taxation earned an average salary of $102,000 as of April 2023.
Comparison of MBA in Taxation Career Salaries
Source: BLS
Financing Your Online MBA
There are various ways to finance your MBA program or reduce the total cost, whether it's online or in person. The first step is to submit the FAFSA and other financial aid applications to see if you're eligible for student aid, such as federal loans and grants. Other options include scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, and private student loans.
Common Questions About Online MBA Programs in Taxation
Is a master’s in taxation better than a master’s in accounting?
While a master's in taxation vs. accounting overlap in content, they prepare students for slightly different roles. A master's in taxation equips graduates to work with individuals and businesses on filing taxes and understanding tax laws. A master's in accounting helps graduates pursue work in auditing, accounting, and consulting.
Is an MBA in taxation good?
An MBA in taxation can help you pursue high paying, in-demand roles in business, accounting, and finance. A 2022 report by the Graduate Management Admission Council indicated that 86% of MBA graduates were employed when they graduated. The median compensation for full-time MBA graduates increased by 50%.
Which degree is best for taxation?
An MBA with a concentration in taxation can equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand and apply tax laws in a variety of business settings. Alternatively, some students may choose to pursue a master of science in taxation or a master of laws in taxation. Either of these can provide deeper knowledge and expertise in the field.
