Which undergraduate accounting program is stronger: University of Maryland or Notre Dame?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Notre Dame’s more national, relationship-driven accounting recruiting network versus Maryland’s strong value and access to the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore business market. Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business has a particularly established reputation with major public accounting firms, corporate finance employers, and a highly engaged alumni base. Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business offers solid accounting preparation and can be especially attractive for students seeking regional internships, federal-adjacent employers, or a substantially lower in-state cost.

At Notre Dame, accounting students benefit from a smaller private-school environment, close faculty access, and recruiting that extends well beyond one region. It is a compelling platform for Big Four public accounting, advisory, and accounting-related roles at large national companies. The Notre Dame name and alumni network can also be meaningful advantages when pursuing opportunities in major cities after graduation.

Smith is well regarded by employers in the Mid-Atlantic, and its location makes internships during the academic year more accessible in D.C., Northern Virginia, Baltimore, and nearby corporate centers. For a Maryland resident, avoiding a large cost premium can matter more than a modest difference in recruiting reach, particularly because accounting careers depend heavily on internships, strong grades, leadership, and eventually CPA eligibility.

For pure undergraduate accounting prestige and national recruiting, Notre Dame has the edge. Maryland can be the smarter decision when it is meaningfully more affordable or when you want to build a career in the D.C./Maryland region; graduating with less debt is a real advantage in public accounting’s early-career salary structure.