Continuing with our series on CPA exam stats, let's once again crack open the old 2011 NASBA candidate performance book to see how MA candidates did in 2010. I'll try my best not to hurt anyone's feelings this time (no promises).
This should come as no surprise to any Massachusetts fans out there, Bentley College sent the highest number of CPA exam candidates at 372. Shockingly (or not), Bentley candidates sat for 1,026 exams. By comparison, the next highest number of exams were taken by Northeastern University candidates at 681 (250 candidates). Think about that for a moment. Bentley kids are pretty bad ass for that.
Anyway, here are the top 5 MA schools (for all testing events, both first-time and repeat):
1. Boston College 68.4%
2. Boston University 60.7%
3. Stonehill College 60.5%
4. College of the Holy Cross 59.7%
5. University of Massachusetts – Lowell 59.2%
Are you guys surprised by those numbers? Babson came in top 10 at 56.9% while Suffolk shuffled in 42.8%. Salem State had the worst performance; 43 candidates took 107 exams for a pass rate of an even 28%.
Since commenters asked, UMass Boston came in at 47.1%. UMass Amherst sent way more candidates than Boston (247 vs. 92) for a pass rate of 48.2%.
Boston College grads had the highest average score at 77.7. College of the Holy Cross came in a close second at an even 77. Four Massachusetts schools averaged over 75; Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, Boston University and Stonehill College. By comparison, only one California college (where they have several more schools) averaged over 75 (Point Loma Nazarene University).
Overall, Masschusetts CPA exam candidates came in 12th on first-time testing events with a pass rate of 58.6%
