Hillsdale College Accounting Students Rank First in the State, Eighth in the Nation
Hillsdale had one of the highest pass rates for first-time test takers on the Certified Public Accountant Exam.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College accounting students ranked first in the state and eighth in the nation among first-time test takers on the Certified Public Accountant Exam, according to data from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. Students must pass the 16-hour, four-part test to become certified public accountants.
“Hillsdale has a CPA exam pass rate among the highest in the nation,” said Robert Atra, chairman of economics, business, and accounting. “This is a testament to the diligence of our students, the dedication of our faculty, and the power of a liberal-arts education to prepare students for every area of life.”
“This is a testament to the diligence of our students, the dedication of our faculty, and the power of a liberal-arts education to prepare students for every area of life.”
The first-time pass rate among Hillsdale College students was about 83%, compared to a national average of about 54%, putting Hillsdale in eighth place out of 793 schools in the nation.
Hillsdale had a pass rate of about 69% among all test takers, including those with lower scores who were retaking the test. The national average was about 48%.
“These are not rankings most people would expect from a liberal-arts college, but they show that students don’t need to go to a large business school to get a topflight education in business and accounting,” Atra said. “At Hillsdale, students can wrestle with great texts and fundamental questions while participating in an accounting program that ranks among the best and adheres to the rigorous standards of the profession.”