Calvin ranks sixth nationally for CPA exam pass rate

Calvin College students are among the national leaders in pass rates on the
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam. In 2012, nearly 75 percent of Calvin
graduates passed the exam on their first attempt, ranking the college sixth
nationally among medium-sized programs.

Calvin College's first-time pass rate on the CPA exam remains consistently
above average, both compared to the state of Michigan and national benchmarks.
In 2010, 73 percent of Calvin grads passed on their first try: 20 percent
higher than the national average. In 2011, Calvin’s pass rate was 17 percent
above average; and, in 2012, again, 20 percent above average.

"It's impressive for two reasons. First of all, it's impressive because we're
ranked number six in the nation, and there are a lot of accounting programs in
this category," said Leonard Van Drunen, chair of Calvin's business department.
"But, what's more impressive, when you look at the schools right around us,
they have really selective programs."

Van Drunen points out that Calvin has a different philosophy than the other
schools at the top of the list, like Cornell, Vanderbilt and the University of
Chicago.

"Those schools are only admitting students who have high GPAs and SAT scores.
We are taking students that are more typical kids ... and then we are helping
them achieve these high pass rates," said Van Drunen. "You have to ask, how
much value are we adding to young people here at Calvin College? If you could
measure that, I would have to believe we'd be number one in the nation ... We
are helping young people develop a lot in four years."

Overall, in 2012 Calvin ranks 38th nationally among 781 institutions, second
in the state only to the University of Michigan.

The exam, which is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants is required in order for someone to receive state certification to
practice accounting.

For more information, contact Van Drunen at 616-780-4313 or associate
professor of business Julie Voskuil at 616-526-6189.

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Received on Tue Feb 19 12:32:01 2013