WGU grad conflicted about master’s program choice – does school prestige actually matter for getting into public accounting?

Title: Navigating the Path from Bachelor’s to Master’s in Accounting: Should You Prioritize Prestige?

As I approach graduation with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western Governors University (WGU), I’m grappling with an important decision on how to fulfill my 150 credit hours required for CPA eligibility. After absorbing various perspectives in online forums, I’ve come across a recurring theme: many assert that the prestige of your school loses significance once you’ve earned your CPA. However, I find myself questioning this notion.

Currently, I’m weighing two distinct paths:

1. Continue my education at WGU for my master’s degree: This option is not only cost-effective but also allows me to stay within an environment I’m familiar with.
2. Transfer to a traditional state university or local college program: This route opens the door to potentially greater recognition in the job market.

My primary concern centers around the ongoing perception of online education, particularly regarding competency-based programs like WGU that utilize a pass/fail grading system and automatically confer a 3.0 GPA. I can’t shake the worry that this might negatively impact my prospects of securing a position with public Accounting firms or snagging a desirable entry-level role.

I’m reaching out to those who have navigated the job market—both as candidates and as hiring professionals—to gather insights on the following:

• Do recruiters truly overlook a candidate’s school name once they’ve achieved their CPA?
• Has anyone with a WGU degree successfully entered Big 4 firms or other mid-tier firms?
• Is the investment of time and resources into a more traditional master’s program genuinely justified?

While the prevailing advice suggests that obtaining your CPA outweighs the school’s reputation, I’m left pondering whether opting for graduate studies at WGU might restrict my future choices. If you’ve faced similar dilemmas or have relevant experiences to share, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts!

Thank you in advance for your valuable insights!