For aspiring CPAs, passing the Uniform CPA Examination represents the ultimate professional milestone—a rigorous test of competency that opens doors to the most prestigious positions in accounting. With national average pass rates hovering around 50%, choosing a program with proven CPA exam success can make the difference between a smooth path to licensure and years of repeated attempts.
The five-year accelerated programs featured here combine a bachelor’s degree entry point that stacks on the additional 30 credits of graduate-level business, audit, and accounting courses to hit the 150-credit hour total required for CPA eligibility. Rolled together in one accelerated program, the total package most often results in both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years.
Often billed as 3+2 or 4+1 programs to reflect the fact that they include three or four years of undergrad courses followed by a year or two of graduate work, these are unique programs designed for accounting undergrads who are already reaching for the CPA, and looking for the most efficient way to get there.
Why AACSB Accounting Accreditation Matters in an Accelerated CPA Track Program
This exclusive list highlights AACSB-accredited business schools that have gone even further to build premier accounting bachelor’s and master’s accounting degrees worthy of supplemental programmatic AACSB Accounting Accreditation. And with that, these programs have turned out CPA exam candidates who have demonstrated exceptional performance.
16,000 business programs worldwide
195 business schools have programs with AACSB Accounting Accreditation
Among those, only 41 offer accelerated 5-year CPA track bachelor’s options
And only 5 of those reported CPA exam pass rates above 80%
The exclusivity of AACSB Accounting Accreditation by itself underscores a significant commitment to maintaining exacting standards. To offer accelerated CPA track options that produce graduates capable of such stellar outcomes sets the bar higher than most business schools would even attempt to reach.
These institutions have cracked the code on CPA preparation, combining accelerated degree pathways with a serious exam prep component to produce graduates who beat the national average pass rate by 30% or more.
What’s Really Behind AACSB Supplemental Accounting Program Accreditation?
AACSB Accounting Accreditation represents a mark of excellence in accounting education that goes beyond standard business accreditation. This specialized accreditation ensures that accounting programs meet the specific educational needs of the accounting profession, from entry-level preparation through advanced professional development.
The Rigorous Path to Accreditation:
- Prerequisite: Institutions must first earn and maintain AACSB Business Accreditation
- Strategic Focus: Programs must demonstrate a clear mission aligned with the accounting profession’s needs
- Faculty Excellence: Sufficient qualified faculty with appropriate blend of academic credentials and professional experience
- Learning Outcomes: Evidence of student achievement in accounting competencies
- Continuous Improvement: Ongoing assessment and enhancement of program quality
The Seven Standards for Excellence:
AACSB Accounting Accreditation evaluates programs across seven rigorous standards:
- Strategic management and innovation in accounting education
- Accounting faculty sufficiency and deployment
- Faculty qualifications and engagement
- Curriculum content and evaluation
- Quality of entering accounting students
- Career development of accounting graduates
- Professional accounting engagement and societal impact
Maintaining the Gold Standard:
Accredited programs undergo continuous quality improvement reviews every five years, submit annual reports demonstrating sustained excellence, and must show evidence of innovation in accounting education. This ongoing process ensures programs remain current with evolving professional standards, technology advances, and employer expectations.
AACSB-Accredited 5-Year CPA Track Programs with the Best Exam Pass Rates in the Business
The programs featured here represent the gold standard in CPA exam preparation, with documented pass rates ranging from 85% to over 95%. Each offers either a 3+2 or 4+1 BS/Master’s program or an innovative five-year bachelor’s degree designed to meet the 150-hour requirement while maximizing exam readiness. These schools have proven that with the right curriculum, support systems, and culture of excellence, CPA exam success can be the expected outcome rather than the exception.
Auburn University – Harbert College of Business
Accelerated BS/MAcc Program
87% CPA Pass Rate
Specialization Tracks:
- Public Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Information Systems Auditing
Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business has achieved remarkable distinction with its accelerated program combining a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Accountancy and Master of Accountancy. The program boasts an exceptional 87% CPA exam pass rate within one year of graduation, significantly exceeding the national average of approximately 50%. This accelerated pathway allows students to begin taking graduate-level courses during their fourth year while maintaining an intensive focus on CPA exam preparation. The integrated curriculum ensures comprehensive coverage of all four CPA exam sections—Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). Auburn’s systematic approach includes built-in review sessions, practice exams, and strategic test-taking guidance that has proven remarkably effective in producing first-time exam success.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Gies College of Business
5-Year BS/MS in Accountancy
95%+ CPA Pass Rate
Specialization Tracks:
- Audit and Assurance
- Taxation
- Management Accounting
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business stands at the pinnacle of CPA exam preparation with its five-year program combining a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Science in Accountancy. Illinois consistently achieves pass rates exceeding 95%, making it the national leader in CPA exam performance. This elite five-year integrated program allows students to begin graduate coursework during their senior year while following a curriculum specifically designed to master CPA exam content. The program’s success stems from rigorous coursework that mirrors exam topics, integrated review components throughout all five years, and a culture of excellence that has made Illinois synonymous with CPA success. Faculty expertise in exam preparation, combined with structured peer study groups and comprehensive support systems, creates an environment where passing the CPA exam is not just hoped for but expected.
Brigham Young University – Marriott School of Business
3+2 BS/MAcc with Dual Enrollment
91% CPA Pass Rate
Specialization Tracks:
- Audit
- Tax
- Financial Management
- Information Systems
Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business has built a national reputation for CPA exam excellence through its innovative 3+2 program featuring unique dual enrollment during the senior year. Students earn both a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Accountancy while achieving a remarkable 91% CPA pass rate. BYU’s distinctive approach allows students to simultaneously enroll in both undergraduate and graduate programs during their fourth year, maximizing efficiency while intensifying CPA exam preparation. The program integrates exam-focused content throughout all five years, provides access to premier review materials including Becker CPA Review, and fosters a collaborative study environment supported by the university’s honor code culture. This comprehensive approach, combined with dedicated faculty mentorship, has established BYU as one of the most reliable producers of CPA-ready graduates in the nation.
Texas A&M University – Mays Business School
4+1 BBA/MS in Accounting
89% CPA Pass Rate
Specialization Tracks:
- Audit and Assurance
- Taxation
- Managerial Accounting
- Financial Analysis
Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School has established itself as a CPA exam powerhouse through its nationally ranked 4+1 program combining a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with a Master of Science in Accounting. With an 89% overall CPA pass rate, Aggies consistently exceed national averages by nearly 40 percentage points. The five-year integrated curriculum is meticulously aligned with CPA exam blueprints, incorporating regular practice testing, performance analytics, and strategic exam preparation from the first accounting course through graduation. Students benefit from dedicated CPA preparation resources including integrated review sessions, comprehensive mock examinations, and access to multiple premium study platforms. The program’s strong peer study culture, combined with faculty who are CPAs themselves, creates an environment where high pass rates have become an expected tradition passed down through generations of successful Aggie accountants.
University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business
4+1 BBA/MPA Program
93% CPA Pass Rate
Specialization Tracks:
- Audit and Assurance
- Taxation
- Financial Reporting
- Management Accounting and Control
- Generalist
The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business sets the gold standard for CPA exam preparation through its elite 4+1 program combining a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with the renowned Master of Professional Accounting degree. With a remarkable 93% CPA pass rate, McCombs consistently ranks #1 or #2 nationally for accounting education excellence. This five-year integrated program allows students to begin MPA coursework during their senior year while following a curriculum specifically engineered for CPA exam mastery. The MPA program’s reputation attracts the nation’s top accounting students, creating a competitive yet collaborative environment where exam success is the norm. Students benefit from world-class faculty expertise, exclusive access to the most advanced CPA review resources, and a proven methodology that has produced more Big Four firm leaders than almost any other program. The combination of academic rigor, comprehensive support, and peer excellence makes UT Austin the destination of choice for students seeking virtually guaranteed CPA exam success.
The Methodology Used to Compile This List of 5-Year CPA Programs
Programs were selected for this elite list based on the following criteria:
1. Documented CPA Pass Rate Performance
- Schools must have publicly available or institutionally reported CPA exam pass rates
- Pass rates must be higher than 80%
- Preference given to schools with first-time pass rate data or specific timeframe measurements
2. AACSB Accreditation with Accounting Supplementation
- All schools must maintain AACSB accreditation for their business programs
- Schools must have achieved supplemental AACSB accounting accreditation
- This dual accreditation ensures the highest standards of business and accounting education
3. Five-Year Integrated Program Structure
- Schools must offer either a 3+2 or 4+1 BS/Master’s program or five-year bachelor’s degree
- Programs must be specifically designed to meet 150-hour CPA requirements
- Integrated structure must include CPA exam preparation components
4. Comprehensive Exam Support Systems
- Evidence of dedicated CPA exam preparation resources
- Integration of exam content throughout curriculum
- Access to professional review materials and support services
Pass Rate Verification Note: CPA exam pass rates cited are based on the most recent data available from institutional reports, NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) reports where applicable, and program disclosures. Some schools report overall pass rates while others specify first-time or within-one-year rates. Prospective students should verify current pass rates directly with institutions as these figures can vary by year and reporting methodology.
The schools on this list have demonstrated sustained excellence in CPA exam preparation, making them the top choices for students who prioritize exam success in their educational investment. Their proven track records offer prospective students confidence that their five-year educational journey will culminate in CPA certification and career success.
Remember that these pass rates reflect not just excellent instruction, but also highly motivated student bodies. Your success will depend on your commitment to the rigorous preparation these programs provide. For more information about CPA exam requirements and accounting degree options, explore our comprehensive guides.
