Shepherd University Accounting Students Post Highest Average CPA Exam Scores in West Virginia for 2025

ISSUED: 13 November 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Shepherd University Accounting students exceeded national and state averages on the CPA exam in 2025, with a 54.3% overall pass rate and an average score of 73.3.

The overall pass rate for all test takers nationwide was 52.5%, with an average exam score was 71.7. Shepherd students taking the exam for the first time earned an average score of 74.1, above the national average of 73.30.

In West Virginia, the overall pass rate was 48.1%. The state's average exam score was 69.2 for all test takers and 70.2 for first-time takers. Shepherd exceeded the state averages in each measure. Only one other college in West Virginia had a higher overall average pass rate at 75.8.

The American Institute of CPAs administers the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. It includes three core sections: auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, and taxation and regulation. The candidate can choose the fourth section: business analysis and reporting, information systems and controls, and tax compliance and planning.

"It brings me great joy to see our students succeed," said Dr. Cindy Vance, associate professor and head of Shepherd's accounting program. "I attribute students' success to the quality of the accounting curriculum and faculty at Shepherd."

Vance also credits her students' success to the comprehensive Accounting major that includes 48 credit hours of accounting courses beyond introductory classes.

"Not only am I proud to be a faculty member at Shepherd, but I am also proud to be an alumna," said Vance.

To learn more about Shepherd's Accounting program, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/accounting.

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