[JayG]

Hi. I have passed three of the four exams, and am waiting on the results of the fourth (REG). However, I need to know something regarding undergraduate accounting programs.

How do Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Florida International University (FIU), and the University of Central Florida (UCF) stack up against one another, as far as their ranking goes in terms of undergraduate accounting programs goes? Which of these three schools’ is the best ranked, and which is ranked the worst?

Many thanks,

Jay

[fuzyfro89]

See if you can get your hands on some career center materials and if the employers you would be interested in working for recruit actively or are involved in other ways at those programs.

At the end of the day, rankings are irrelevant unless employers value that experience in the same way (assuming your goal is to get a job after getting your degree… 🙂 ).

I can't offer specific advice on those schools, but my guess is they are all a step below UF business school. Not sure how they compare to one another.

[thechapman]

This isn't exactly what you asked for, but in the 2013 Public Accounting Report on schools there is a list of the top 25 masters program rankings for schools with 22+ full time faculty members. Florida Atlantic shows up at #22 on the list. That is the only list that FAU shows up on as ranked, and the other two you mentioned don't show up anywhere. Here's the link if you're interested.

https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/news/documents/PARSurvey2013-BaruchRankings.pdf

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

I'm in the NE and I've never even heard of the first two. Doesn't mean they aren't decent schools, but the most important thing criteria in a buyers (employer=buyer in these circumstances) decision making process is brand recall. That's Marketing 101.

Just my two cents.

[Uhartsoccer21]

I was considering FAU's master in forensic accounting and from research seemed like they had a pretty solid accounting program. Idk about the other two but if there priced well would all be good options. Do some research on the professors and board. (ratemyprofessor has everyone)

A - 89 10/23/2014
R - 90 2/27/2014
F - 75 5/25/2014
B - 83 8/28/2014

[JayG]

I see. The reason why I am wondering is that FAU's master's program is ranked, but nothing has been mentioned about its undergrad program. It also apparently has the highest CPA pass rate.

[Anonymous]

All three are solid schools. I'm not sure their ranking. All else being equal ucf has th e best athletic teams. I'm in California and I've heard of them all and I know fau is known for their acct programs.

[JayG]

Interesting. Just checked pass rates by school. For the 2012 results that were released, FAU actually had the second lowest passing rate in the entire state, yet people do cite FAU as a good accounting school. Anyone else have any idea of the perception, ranking-wise, of FAU vs FIU vs UCF?

[QuesoDip]

It depends on your goals. I personally don't think rankings matter much for undergraduate accounting unless you're trying to break into some crazy job market that only takes Harvard alumni. I know for a fact that the big 4 as well as the regional firms (BDO, Crowe, McGladrey, MBAF, etc) recruit HEAVILY from all three schools mentioned.

REG - 88 - 8 Weeks (Becker, Ninja Audio/Flashcards, Wiley TB)
FAR - 87 - 10 Weeks (Becker, Ninja Audio)
AUD - 98 - 6 Weeks (Becker, Ninja Audio, Ninja MCQ)
BEC - 87 - 2 Weeks (Becker & Ninja Audio)

[OnTheWayToCPA2015]

I guess this post is a little late but I hope it helps someone else in the future making the same decision I had to make two years ago. I was deciding between a couple of schools in South Florida after I got my associates degree from a community college. I almost ended up at FIU (which also has an excellent accounting program) but I missed the deadline and sent my application to FAU. I applied to FAU and St. Thomas and wanted to go to St. Thomas because of the smaller classes. After they told me what their tuition was I almost fainted and started doing research, when I first began attending FAU they were #1 in Florida and #7 in the United States for general accounting. They also have the highest CPA exam pass rates in Florida and the accounting program is very thorough. Also FAU is heavily recruited by accounting firms and all but 1 of the Big 4 recruit here, so many job opportunities!

[Author]

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