UT Tyler Celebrates Performance Excellence on CPA Exam

January 15, 2026 | Hannah Buchanan

The University of Texas at Tyler was once again recognized by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as one of the top 10 universities to conclude 2025 with the highest pass rates on the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. With a pass rate of 61.33%, UT Tyler ranked third among Texas public universities and sixth overall among all state universities. The current national average is 50%.

At each bi-annual swearing-in ceremony held in December, TSBPA honors the 10 institutions whose CPA candidates achieve the highest overall pass rates, demonstrating excellence in academic preparation and professional readiness. UT Tyler has been recognized at each of the past five ceremonies.

“This distinction reflects the dedication and talent of our accounting students as well as the strength of our accounting programs,” said Dr. Krist Swimberghe, dean of the UT Tyler Soules College of Business. “We could not be prouder of our outstanding graduates who work hard to obtain their CPA license.”

The accounting programs at UT Tyler emphasize technical proficiency, ethical decision-making and real-world application. Through a combination of expert faculty instruction, rigorous curriculum and CPA Exam preparation, the university continues to position its graduates for success in public accounting, industry, government and nonprofit sectors.

The Uniform CPA Exam consists of three core sections — financial accounting and reporting, regulation, and auditing and attestation. Examinees then select from one of three discipline sections –– business analysis and reporting, information systems and controls, and tax compliance and planning. Candidates for CPA licensure must pass all four sections of the exam and complete 150 hours of college credit.

The board’s mission is to protect the public by ensuring that persons issued certificates as CPAs possess competency and integrity in the practice of public accountancy. Visit tsbpa.texas.gov/ to learn more.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.