Student Achievement
Both as part of and in between routine accreditation reaffirmations, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) requires institutions to publish goals for student achievement and disclose information on student success in achieving those goals. The following disclosures are intended to meet these requirements in between scheduled reaffirmations. This information is updated during the fall term of each academic year.
Retention Rates
The University monitors first-year and average undergraduate retention rates as a measure of the success of its undergraduate program. Since 2000, the University has maintained a first-year retention rate of 96 percent or greater. In addition, the University establishes thresholds and targets for average undergraduate retention. For 2022-23, institutional performance was as follows:
- Threshold: 95.0%
- Target: 97.0%
- Actual: 97.3%
Graduation Rates
The University monitors undergraduate graduation rates as a measure of the success of its undergraduate program. Since 2000, the University has maintained a four-year graduation rate of greater than 82 percent and a six-year graduation rate of greater than 91 percent. In addition, the University establishes thresholds and targets for graduation rates by financial aid status. For students entering in 2016 and 2017, institutional performance is set forth below.
First-Time First-Year Students Entering Fall 2017
Category |
Threshold |
Target |
Actual |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Four-Year Graduation Rate: Pell Grants With Federal Need |
73.80% |
87.00% |
86.6% |
|
Four-Year Graduation Rate: Has Federal Need Not Pell Recipient |
80.00% |
87.00% |
88.8% |
|
Four-Year Graduation Rate: No Federal Need |
84.80% |
87.00% |
92.2% |
|
Six-Year Graduation Rate: Pell Recipient With Federal Need |
82.50% |
94.00% |
91.5% |
|
Six-Year Graduation Rate: Has Federal Need Not Pell Recipient |
86.50% |
94.00% |
93.9% |
|
Six-Year Graduation Rate: No Federal Need |
91.00% |
94.00% |
96.3% |
First-Time First-Year Students Entering Fall 2018
Category |
Threshold |
Target |
Actual |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Four-Year Graduation Rate: Pell Grants With Federal Need |
73.80% |
87.00% |
86.8% |
|
Four-Year Graduation Rate: Has Federal Need Not Pell Recipient |
80.00% |
87.00% |
92.0% |
|
Four-Year Graduation Rate: No Federal Need |
84.80% |
87.00% |
93.5% |
|
Six-Year Graduation Rate: Pell Recipient With Federal Need |
82.50% |
94.00% |
92.3% |
|
Six-Year Graduation Rate: Has Federal Need Not Pell Recipient |
86.50% |
94.00% |
95.2% |
|
Six-Year Graduation Rate: No Federal Need |
91.00% |
94.00% |
96.5% |
Licensing and Certification Examinations
Professional schools and programs track scores and pass rates on licensure and certification examinations, where applicable, as a measure of success of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
McIntire School of Commerce - CPA Exam (2014)
Threshold: 80%
Actual: 84.6%
School of Education - Praxis II Exams (2015)
Threshold: State minimum average scores
Actual: Average scores on subject components ranged from 10% to 28% above state minimums
School of Engineering and Applied Science - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (2014)
Threshold: 85%
Actual: 85%
School of Law - Virginia Bar Exam and New York Bar Exam (2013)
Threshold: 80.0%
Actual-VA: 93.6%
Actual-NY: 93.1%
School of Medicine - U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (2015)
Threshold: 90%
Actual: 98%
School of Nursing - National Council on Licensure Exam-NCLEX (2014)
Threshold: 80% (Virginia Board of Nursing)
Threshold: 95% (UVA)
Actual-Baccalaureate: 92.9%
Actual-Master's: 100%
Prospective students may find SCHEV’s information resources of use in planning for college and careers. SCHEV has created an institutional profile for each Virginia public college and university, and for each independent college and university participating in the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program. The University’s profile may be viewed on the SCHEV website. (The University cautions that the wage data provided by SCHEV only includes those alumni employed or attending graduate school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.)