Best CPA review courses compared for 2026
Which of the best CPA review courses is right for you depends mostly on who is paying, how long you need access, and whether you want a guarantee. We have not tested these courses, and prices below are list or reported prices that change often.
Ownership note: UWorld acquired Surgent on April 30, 2026, and also owns Roger CPA Review. Surgent’s own CPA page now directs candidates to UWorld CPA Review, so Surgent CPA Review is no longer offered as a separate course and is not compared here. See our Surgent page for what it was and what UWorld offers its customers. Ownership does not change a score or a ranking position. We last checked provider pages in October 2026, and several sources behind this page are published by UWorld or other providers.
The best CPA review courses at a glance
Prices are the entry prices shown in providers’ own listings or in reported third-party roundups. Gleim’s (gleim.com), UWorld’s (accounting.uworld.com) and NINJA’s come from their own pages, and Becker’s Premium price and guarantee terms from Becker’s own page, with its other tiers from third-party roundups; Kesler’s is as reported, since the copy of its own site we could see was old. Promotions change what you pay.
| Course | Entry price | Access | Guarantee | Editorial rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Becker | $2,499 (Advantage list); higher tiers to $6,349 | 24 months on Advantage; unlimited on higher tiers | Pass Guarantee of up to $1,000 on Pro and Pro+, with conditions | 4.6 |
| UWorld Roger | $1,999 (Premier); Elite tiers $2,299 and $2,899 | 18 months on Premier; until you pass on Elite tiers | $250 per section, up to $1,000, on Elite-Unlimited+ | 4.5 |
| Gleim | $2,499 (Traditional); Premium $2,999; Premium Pro $3,499 | 18 months on Traditional; Access Until You Pass on Premium tiers | Access to updated materials until you pass; Premium Pro adds a conditional refund | 4.1 |
| NINJA | $67 to $87 a month | Monthly | None reported | 4.0 |
| Kesler | $97 a month, as reported | Monthly; an unlimited option reported | 30-day refund reported; no pass guarantee | 3.9 |
The editorial ratings were published in earlier editions and have not been recalculated against the corrected prices and features on this page, so read them as our opinion, not as measured results.
Read each review
Widely described as the benchmark and the most expensive of the main options.
→Lower entry price than Becker, with reviewers praising its explanations. Also where Surgent's CPA candidates are now sent.
→Lists the largest question bank, with an access guarantee on its Premium tiers.
→Month-to-month pricing with live group tutoring on its Full Course, as reported.
→A monthly subscription with video-led lessons, as reported.
→No longer sold as a separate CPA course; see what Surgent says now.
→Head-to-head comparisons
Rebuilt in October 2026 with the prices above: Becker vs UWorld Roger, Becker vs Gleim, UWorld Roger vs Gleim, Becker vs NINJA and Gleim vs Kesler. Our older Surgent comparisons are no longer meaningful, because Surgent CPA Review is now part of UWorld.
How to choose
Check what your employer's policy covers, since some reimburse specific providers or tiers. Becker's higher tiers and others are priced for this case.
CPA cost guideCompare current entry prices and promotions, and think about how many months you need. A monthly subscription can cost more or less than a lump sum depending on your timeline.
Cheapest CPA prepTerms differ: Becker and UWorld list per-section refunds with conditions, and Gleim guarantees access to updated materials. Read each provider's terms before relying on one.
How we rank coursesAsk your accounting department whether it already holds a license or offers student pricing before you buy.
Student pricing explainedCommon questions
Do I need a review course to pass the CPA?
Not required to sit the exam. Many candidates use a course for structure and practice questions, and which one suits you depends on your budget and learning style.
Why is Surgent no longer ranked?
Surgent’s own CPA page now says Surgent is part of UWorld and directs candidates to UWorld CPA Review. We could not find a way to buy Surgent CPA Review as a separate course, so it is no longer compared here.
Should I wait for a discount?
Providers run promotions, such as a reported August 2026 Pass Guarantee sale at Becker. Check each provider’s site and confirm the price at checkout.
Is CPA prep tax deductible?
We do not give tax advice. Whether education costs are deductible depends on your circumstances, so ask a tax professional.
How we ranked these CPA review courses
We have not tested these courses. Prices and features come from providers’ own pages and third-party roundups, some of which are published by the providers themselves. Ratings are our editorial opinion, are not independent measurements and have not been recalculated since earlier editions. Confirm everything at checkout.