Measures of Student Achievement

UNCP considers retention rates to be important indicators of student success and of the factors that contribute to student success, including instruction, advisement, student services and campus life. The university recognizes the value and benefit of increased retention rates to current and future students in light of its mission of providing personalized teaching to a body of students who will serve the regional and global community. One of the university's goals is to increase the fall-to-fall retention rate for all students, but especially for first-time, full-time students. Information on retention goals and outcomes is presented below.

Undergraduate Retention 2013-2024

The university regards graduation rates as a criterion of student success. A goal of the university Strategic Plan is to maximize student success. The mission of the university is to prepare students for rewarding careers, postgraduate education, leadership roles and fulfilling lives, and a Core Value of the university is to prepare graduate and undergraduate students to succeed in an ever-changing and increasingly technological, global environment. Information on four-year graduation goals and outcomes is presented below.

UNCP Four-Year Graduation Rates and Baseline, Threshold and Stretch Goals

The specific target for five-year graduate rates arising from the strategic plan is that by 2022 (2017 cohort), UNCP will improve its five-year graduation rate of students graduating from UNCP to 40.5%. Information on the outcomes for this goal is provided below.

UNCP Five-Year Graduation Rates for Students Graduating from UNCP

The university has established 44.7% as its goal for six-year graduation rates for students graduating from UNCP. Information on the outcomes for this goal is presented below.

Six Year Graduation Rates for Students Graduating From UNCP

In accordance with SACOC requirements and in response to U.S. Department of Education directives regarding student success, UNCP has identified the Six-Year National Student Clearinghouse (NCS) Total Completion Rate as a criterion for student success. The university has chosen 55.0% as the desired goal for this indicator. Information on six-year graduation rates for UNCP students graduating nationwide is provided below.

UNCP Six-Year Graduation Rates for Students Graduating Nationwide National Student Clearinghouse Data

The university tracks the number of undergraduate and graduate degrees conferred. The university views the number of degrees conferred as a criterion of institutional success. Based on historical trends, the university considers the awarding of 2,033 degrees per year as its goal for degree completion. Outcomes for this goal are shown in the table below.

Degrees Awarded at UNCP 2015-2024

UNCP participated in the UNC System Evaluation of university Programs. Return on Investment was examined from the perspective of three different stakeholder groups: each institution in the UNC System, UNC System students and the State of North Carolina.

The study found that the median lifetime earnings for UNCP graduates with a college degree was $1,019,386 as opposed to median lifetime earnings of $645,743 for others without a college degree. The calculated incremental lifetime earnings were $373,643. When calculated student investment of $54,450 was subtracted from the calculated lifetime earnings of $345,743, the calculated lifetime return on investment was $319,353.

The university considers a lifetime return on investment to be the threshold of acceptability which determines the university's success on this criterion. The goal for this metric is that median lifetime earnings and incremental lifetime earnings for UNCP graduates would be equal to or greater than the performance documented in the UNC System Evaluation of university Programs.