2024 CPA Exam Pass Rates by Jurisdiction
2024 CPA Exam Pass Rates by State/Jurisduiction
Are you wondering which state has the highest CPA exam pass rate in 2024? The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has released the latest statistics, and the results reveal significant variances across jurisdictions.
Understanding the 2024 CPA Exam pass rates is crucial for candidates gauging the difficulty of the exam environment, though it is important to remember that the exam is uniform across all 55 jurisdictions. The difference in pass rates often reflects the educational background and preparedness of the candidate pool in that specific state, rather than the difficulty of the exam itself.
Below, we have organized the full data set from highest to lowest, allowing you to easily compare performance across the country. Nebraska currently leads the nation, while several other states are showing strong pass rates above the national average.
| # | Jurisdiction | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | 61.9% |
| 2 | Utah | 58.6% |
| 3 | Montana | 57.4% |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 57.4% |
| 5 | Iowa | 57.0% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 55.6% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 54.7% |
| 8 | Washington | 54.3% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 53.8% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 53.6% |
| 11 | Colorado | 53.0% |
| 12 | Florida | 52.8% |
| 13 | Vermont | 52.7% |
| 14 | Illinois | 51.8% |
| 15 | Maine | 51.5% |
| 16 | Texas | 51.3% |
| 17 | Kansas | 50.6% |
| 18 | District of Columbia | 50.4% |
| 19 | Alaska | 50.3% |
| 19 | Oregon | 50.3% |
| 21 | North Carolina | 50.1% |
| 22 | Missouri | 49.8% |
| 23 | Alabama | 49.7% |
| 24 | Indiana | 49.5% |
| 24 | Massachusetts | 49.5% |
| 26 | Arkansas | 49.3% |
| 27 | Guam | 48.9% |
| 28 | Hawaii | 48.6% |
| 29 | California | 48.0% |
| 30 | Tennessee | 47.8% |
| 31 | Idaho | 47.7% |
| 32 | Arizona | 47.6% |
| 33 | Ohio | 47.4% |
| 34 | New York | 47.3% |
| 35 | Michigan | 47.2% |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | 47.0% |
| 37 | Virginia | 46.9% |
| 38 | Georgia | 46.8% |
| 38 | Kentucky | 46.8% |
| 40 | Oklahoma | 45.4% |
| 41 | Nevada | 45.0% |
| 42 | North Dakota | 44.2% |
| 43 | Mississippi | 43.7% |
| 43 | New Mexico | 43.7% |
| 45 | Louisiana | 43.6% |
| 46 | Maryland | 43.2% |
| 47 | Delaware | 43.0% |
| 48 | Connecticut | 42.8% |
| 48 | New Hampshire | 42.8% |
| 50 | West Virginia | 42.7% |
| 51 | New Jersey | 41.8% |
| 52 | Rhode Island | 41.6% |
| 53 | Puerto Rico | 37.3% |
⚠️ Important Disclaimer: The Uniform CPA Exam
Please note: Jurisdiction and Score are NOT related.
The data below is organized by pass rate for statistical comparison only. It does not imply that taking the exam in a highly-ranked jurisdiction gives you a statistical advantage.
The CPA Exam is a Uniform examination. Every candidate, regardless of location, faces the same standard of difficulty. A high pass rate in a specific state reflects the preparedness of those specific candidates, not an easier grading curve. Do not choose your jurisdiction based on these numbers.
Whether you sit for the exam in Nebraska (61.9% pass rate) or a jurisdiction with a lower average, you are taking the exact same exam. The content, the difficulty, the scoring algorithms, and the passing standard (75) are identical across all 55 jurisdictions and exam centers worldwide. There is no “easier” state board.
Why do pass rates differ if the exam is the same? The variance in pass rates shown in the table above is driven entirely by the candidate pool, not the difficulty of the jurisdiction.
- Educational Background: Some states have high concentrations of universities with rigorous accounting programs that specifically tailor their curriculum to the CPA exam.
- Candidate Demographics: Certain jurisdictions attract a higher volume of international candidates who may be taking the exam in a second language, or working professionals who have less time to study compared to full-time students.
The Bottom Line: Please view the list above strictly as a way to organize data, not as a probability chart. Your probability of passing is determined by your preparation, your study materials, and your grasp of the concepts—not the location of your Prometric center.
As shown in the table above, the top-performing jurisdictions like Nebraska, Utah, and Montana consistently show pass rates significantly higher than the national average. Conversely, larger states with higher volumes of candidates, such as California and New York, tend to hover closer to the 47-48% range.
How to Improve Your Odds Regardless of which jurisdiction you sit for, the CPA exam requires rigorous preparation. The “Average Pass Rate” is just a statistic; your personal pass rate depends entirely on your study strategy.
If you are looking to boost your score and join the ranks of passing candidates, comprehensive study resources are essential. At Farhat Lectures, we provide the in-depth material you need to understand the concepts, not just memorize them.
Ready to start studying? View our full course library at FarhatLectures.com.
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