Following a Cohort of Students
Persistence, Retention, and Graduation rates are based on a cohort definition established by the U.S. Department of Education and reported annually to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as part of the The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data are collected on the number of undergraduate students entering the institution in a Fall semester as first-time, full-time, certificate/degree-seeking.
Persistence
Measures the number of students in the cohort who start in a Fall semester and continue the following Spring semester.
Retention Rates
Measures the number of students in the cohort who start in a Fall semester and continue the following Fall semester (one year later).
Graduation
Measures the number of students in the cohort completing their program within 150 percent of normal time to completion (3 years for an associate’s degree; and the various scheduled times for certificate programs).
