Indiana vs Fordham for accounting: which is better for accounting majors?

For accounting specifically, Indiana usually has the edge if you want the more established undergraduate pipeline into public accounting, especially through the Kelley School of Business. Kelley is very well known among employers, accounting is one of its signature areas, and the recruiting structure for internships and full-time roles is deep and organized. Fordham can still work well, especially if you want to build your career in New York City, but its accounting reputation is not typically viewed at the same level as Indiana’s in the undergraduate business world.

Indiana makes the most sense for a student who wants a classic business school environment with a large peer group, lots of accounting-focused recruiting, and a broad alumni network across major firms and corporate employers. If you are aiming at Big Four or other large accounting firms and want a campus where that path is highly visible and heavily supported, Indiana is hard to beat. Kelley also tends to offer more scale in student organizations, employer events, and business-specific resources, which matters a lot in accounting because recruiting starts early.

Fordham fits a different kind of student. It is appealing for someone who wants to be in or near New York during college, values access to the city’s internships and professional networks, and prefers a somewhat more urban experience. For accounting, that location can be genuinely useful, especially if you are proactive and want to work part-time or intern during the school year. The advantage is less about the accounting program itself being stronger than Indiana’s and more about proximity to employers.

One practical way to think about it is this: Indiana is usually the safer bet for structured accounting preparation and national recruiting reach, while Fordham is more attractive if New York access is central to your goals and you are comfortable creating opportunities for yourself. If cost is similar, I would lean Indiana for accounting. If Fordham is meaningfully cheaper or you are strongly committed to starting your career in NYC, Fordham becomes more compelling.