<p>If you want to be an accountant and (hopefully) a CPA in the future, which path would you choose: majoring in Accounting at a CSU or majoring in Economics and minoring in Accounting at a UC? Or more generally, would you choose to go to the better school which doesn't offer the major you need, or the lower school which offer this major? Which path would provide more job opportunities in the future?</p>
<p>The State Board which approves certification cares that you have a degree with a minimum number of accounting related classes. Not necessarily an accounting degree. (Call it for the exact requirements). Anyway if you can make up the required classes as electives then I’d recommend the UC reputation. To pass the CPA test you will need these advanced classes along with the lower level ones: GL</p>
<p>1)Advanced Accounting
2)Accounting Theory
3)Auditing
4Cost Accounting
5)Business Law</p>
<p>It really doesn’t matter where you go as far as CPA requirements. I’m planning on going to UCSB for their econ and accounting major which is heavily recruited by the big 4 and i think will be, overall, a better college experience for me compared to a CSU.</p>
<p>Where you go won’t matter too much because the Big 4 recruit from most UCs and a lot of CSUs. What’ll matter the most is your GPA and being ready to sit for the CPA exam. I’m only relaying what my bus. teacher told me but he was recruited out of Sac State. I know that now there is the ‘150’ rule. But all things equal I would choose UC over CSU. Like andrew said, UCSB has a great econ + accounting program. As well as UCLA and Berkeley where you would minor in accounting I believe… Davis is a little more tricky. I was told if I wanted to meet the 150 rule I would have to take extra classes at Sac State but the Big 4 definitely recruit there.</p>
<p>Pick the school where you think you’ll have a better college experience, be it UC or CSU. You’re going to be a CPA when you’re done in either case, and I think a little time spent contacting the career centers will show that recruiting activity is strong in both places. But college is about more than just stamping your ticket, or at least I think it ought to be. Its a unique place in many people’s lives. I’m not saying go have fun and forget about the future. I’m saying given then either road leads to the same future, the supposed difference in prestige between the 2 systems is not worth worrying about since it largely disappears when you talk about training for a specific field where you take the same courses and sit for the same exam. Visit the schools you are considering, talk to students, apply to the ones that are a fit for you. My advice would be different if you were talking about a general liberal-arts degree and thinking about Berkeley or some CSU, but that isn’t the case here.</p>
<p>I agree with Mikemac, especially since accounting will be generally be the same across campuses due to GAAP.</p>