Institutional Effectiveness | Student Achievement
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Student Achievement
Six-year graduation rates
measure the percentage of first-time undergraduate students who complete their program within a six-year timeframe. The university closely monitors graduation rates because we want students who enroll to complete degrees in a timely manner. Additionally, TCU carefully monitors the 6-year graduation rate because we value Academic Achievement as stated in the University’s Mission, Vision and Values. TCU has selected the “IPEDS traditional overall graduation rate (150% standard time)” as the key completion indicator from which the baseline was established in August of 2018. We reported that our Overall IPEDS Graduation Rate was 77%. That was the rate from the entering first-year student cohort of 2010 who graduated by 2016. The rate for the 2011-2017 cohort rate was 83%, and the latest 2012-2018 cohort rate was 83%.
Fall Cohort
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
TCU
76%
76%
76%
77%
83%
83%
83%
82%
83%
84%
86%
Peers
81%
82%
82%
84%
84%
84%
84%
85%
85%
85%
85%
Aspirants
93%
94%
93%
93%
93%
94%
94%
94%
94%
94%
94%
Aspirant Institutions: Institutions that TCU seeks to be comparable within the type, size and offerings. Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, Rice University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis.
Peer Institutions: Institutions that are comparable to TCU in type, size and offerings. American  University, Baylor University, George Washington University, Pepperdine University Santa Clara University, Southern Methodist University, Syracuse University, Tulane University of Louisiana, Villanova University, Wake Forest University.
Our goal
is that 88% of first-time, full-time students will graduate in 6-years. This goal has been selected because we want to have a higher rate than our peers and a rate more in line with our aspirants.
Disaggregated
Six-year graduation rate data.
In order to maximize institutional effectiveness in the area of student achievement, TCU disaggregates graduation rate data by gender, race/ethnicity, and Pell Grant status. Disaggregated data of IPEDS traditional overall graduation rate (150% standard time)
Gender
6 year grad rates of 2017 cohort by gender
Men
82.6%
Women
87.7%
Source: National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS Data Center
Our goal
is that 87% of first-time, full-time male students will graduate in 6-years and that 89% of female students will graduate in 6-years. This goal has been selected because we want our rate for all students to be 88%. Disaggregated data of IPEDS traditional overall graduation rate (150% standard time)
Race/Ethnicity
6-year grad rates of 2017 cohort by Race/Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska Native
88.9%
Asian
90.2%
Black or African American
71.6%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
100.0%
Hispanic/Latino
84.6%
International
84.3%
Multi-Ethnic
100.0%
Race and ethnicity unknown
89.5%
White
86.4
Source: National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS Data Center
Our goal
is that 89% of first-time, full-time nonresident alien students will graduate in 6-years, 87% for Hispanic/Latino, 91% for American Indian or Alaska Native, 87% for Asian, 80% for Black or African American, 80% for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 88% for White, 70% for Two or more races and that 89% for Race and ethnicity unknown). This goal has been selected because we want our rate for all students to be 88%. Disaggregated data of IPEDS traditional overall graduation rate (150% standard time)
Pell Grant/Loan/None
6-year grad rates of 2017 cohort by Pell Grant/Loan/None
Recipients of a Pell Grant (within entering year)
79.8%
Recipients of a Direct Subsidized Loan (within entering year) that did not receive a Pell Grant
83.3%
Did not receive a Pell Grant or Direct Loan
86.9%
Source: National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS Data Center
Four-year graduation rates
measure the percentage of first-time undergraduate students who complete their program within a four-year timeframe. The university closely monitors graduation rates because we want students who enroll to complete degrees in a timely manner. Additionally, TCU carefully monitors the 4-year graduation rate because we value Academic Achievement as stated in the University’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Fall Cohort
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
TCU
59%
59%
59%
63%
69%
69%
71%
70%
71%
73%
Peers
72%
73%
74%
75%
76%
73%
77%
78%
77%
79%
Aspirants
84%
85%
84%
85%
84%
85%
85%
85%
86%
86%
Peer Institutions: Institutions that are comparable to TCU in type, size and offerings. American  University, Baylor University, George Washington University, Pepperdine University Santa Clara University, Southern Methodist University, Syracuse University, Tulane University of Louisiana, Villanova University, Wake Forest University.
Aspirant Institutions: Institutions that TCU seeks to be comparable within the type, size and offerings. Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, Rice University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis.
Our goal
is that 77% of first-time, full-time students will graduate in four years. Our aspirant institutional average is 84%, so getting to 77% would get us halfway to that average. This goal has been selected because we want to have a higher rate than our peers and a rate more in line with our aspirants.
Disaggregated
Four-year graduation rate data.
In order to maximize institutional effectiveness in the area of student achievement, TCU disaggregates graduation rate data by gender, race/ethnicity, and Pell Grant status. Disaggregated data of four-year graduation rate (100% standard time)
Gender
4 year grad rates of 2019 cohort by gender
Men
71.3%
Women
78.0%
Source: National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS Data Center
Our goal
is that 67% of first-time, full-time male students will graduate in 6-years and that 79% of female students will graduate in 4-years. These goals have been selected because we want our rate for all students to be 77%. The 4-year rate currently is 69.2%. Disaggregated data of four-year graduation rate (100% standard time)
Race/Ethnicity
4-year grad rates of 2019 cohort by Race/Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
68.5%
Black or African American
69.3%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Hispanic/Latino
72.0%
International
73.1%
Multi-Ethnic
71.0%
Race and ethnicity unknown
77.4%
White
77.2%
*Values not shown if fewer than 5 students were in the cohort
Source: National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS Data Center
Our goal
is that 75% of first-time, full-time nonresident alien students will graduate in 4-years, 69% for Hispanic/Latino, 75% for American Indian or Alaska Native, 75% for Asian, 65% for Black or African American, 80% for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 78% for White, 70% for Two or more races and that 89% for Race and ethnicity unknown). This goal has been selected because we want our rate for all students to be 77%. Disaggregated data of four-year graduation rate (100% standard time)
Pell Grant/Loan/None
4-year grad rates of 2019 cohort by Pell Grant/Loan/None
Recipients of a Pell Grant (within entering year)
65.2%
Recipients of a Direct Subsidized Loan (within entering year) that did not receive a Pell Grant
73.0%
Did not receive a Pell Grant or Direct Loan
77.5%
Source: National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS Data Center
Our goal
is that 70% of first-time, full-time recipients of a Pell Grant (within entering year) students will graduate in 4-years.
Retention rates measure the percentage of first-time undergraduate students who return to the same institution to continue their studies the following fall. The university closely monitors retention rates because students who enroll in and complete courses are more likely to complete degrees in a timely manner. Additionally, TCU carefully monitors retention rates because we value Academic Achievement as stated in the University’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Fall Cohort
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
TCU
90%
90%
90%
91%
91%
92%
91%
92%
91%
92%
94%
93%
Peers
91%
92%
92%
92%
92%
92%
92%
90%
92%
91%
91%
91%
Aspirants
97%
97%
97%
97%
97%
97%
97%
94%
97%
97%
97%
97%
Aspirant Institutions: Institutions that TCU seeks to be comparable with in type, size and offerings. Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, Rice University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis.
Peer Institutions: Institutions that are comparable to TCU in type, size and offerings. American  University, Baylor University, George Washington University, Pepperdine University Santa Clara University, Southern Methodist University, Syracuse University, Tulane University of Louisiana, Villanova University, Wake Forest University.
Our goal
is that 95% of first-time, full-time students will return for their second year. Our aspirant institutional average is 97%, so 95% would put us within range of our aspirants. This goal has been selected because we want to have a higher rate than our peers and a rate more in line with our aspirants.
Disaggregated
retention rate data
In order to maximize institutional effectiveness in the area of student achievement, TCU disaggregates retention rate data by gender and ethnicity/race and Pell grant recipients. TCU maintains internal reports to track these rates. Disaggregated data of retention rate (First year to following year)
Gender
Retention rates of 2022 cohort by gender
Men
94.7%
Women
94.0%
Source: Internal Report
Our goal
is that 94% of first-time, full-time male students, and that 96% of female students re-enroll for a second year. These goals have been selected because we want our retention rate for all students to be 95%. Disaggregated data of retention rate (First year to following year)
Race/Ethnicity
Retention rates of 2022 cohort by Race/Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska Native
100.0%
Asian
98.3%
Black or African American
94.2%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Hispanic/Latino
94.2%
International
97.3%
Two or more races
94.1%
Race and ethnicity unknown
95.1%
White
93.9%
*Values not shown if fewer than 5 students were in the cohort
Source: Internal Report
Our goal
is that 92% of first-time, full-time nonresident alien students will re-enroll for a second years, 93% for Hispanic/Latino, 92% for American Indian or Alaska Native, 96% for Asian, 95% for Black or African American, keep 100% for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 95% for White, keep 100% for Two or more races and that keep 100% for Race and ethnicity unknown). This goal has been selected because we want our rate for all students to be 95%. Disaggregated data of retention rate (First year to following year)
Pell Grant/Loan/None
Retention rates of 2022 cohort by Pell Grant/Loan/None
Recipients of a Pell Grant (within entering year)
93.2%
Non-Pell Recipients
94.5%
Source: Internal Report
Our goal
is that 93% of first-time, full-time recipients of a Pell Grant (within entering year) students are retained into their second fall semester.
TCU monitors course completion as a component of student success, persistence, and achievement. Students who successfully complete coursework, in which they enroll, tend to enroll in subsequent semesters and make progress toward a timely completion of their degree. Additionally, students who receive failing grades, incompletions or withdraw are sometimes at risk of losing financial aid or scholarships. TCU tracks course completion of all students enrolled on the 12th day of class. Additionally, TCU carefully monitors course completion rates because we value Academic Achievement as stated in the University’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Year
# of Courses
# of Students
Average Completion
Successful Completion Rate (C or better)
2023
2,554
56,727
96.1%
97.4%
2022
2,481
54,839
95.8%
97.1%
2021
2,458
52,639
95.2%
96.4%
2020
2,330
50,876
96.1%
96.2%
2019
2,281
48,572
95.0%
96.1%
2018
2,257
47,904
94.9%
96.0%
2017
2,188
45,792
94.6%
95.9%
2016
2,097
44,668
94.7%
95.8%
2015
2,047
44,352
95.2%
95.7%
2014
1,966
40,591
96.2%
93.7%
Our goal
is to show continued improvement in a three year rolling average. The rolling average for “Average Completion” for 2017, 2018, and 2019 that is 94.6%. Likewise, the “Successful Completion Rate (C or better) three year rolling average is 96.1%. We would like to see the three year rolling average to trend upwards with the understanding that 100% is not achievable due to  things that we cannot control like illness, family issues or other unforeseen circumstances. We would like to keep both rates in the high 90 percentile.
TCU’s commitment to student success and achievement is reflected in its goal of timely graduation and receipt of a degree. The second goal of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is to focus on completion. “By 2030, at least 550,000 students in that year will complete a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s from an institution of higher education in Texas”. The purpose of the goal is to increase education among the population and to provide a skilled workforce. This aligns with Goal 4 of TCU’s strategic plan to “Strengthen the Workforce (both employees and graduates)”.
Bachelor’s
Graduate (Master’s)
Graduate (Doctorate)
2023-2024
2718
487
196
2022-2023
2663
492
200
2021-2022
2531
496
120
2020-2021
2394
493
132
2019-2020
2340
465
105
2018-2019
2447
479
123
2017-2018
2217
466
106
2016-2017
2262
496
124
2015-2016
2199
460
96
2014-2015
2232
447
89
Our goal:
Because we have set the goal of 88% 6-year graduation rate, the number of Bachelor degrees should rise and remain above 2,200 per year.
Accounting – Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination
Licensure and certification passage rates are another key indicator of student success and achievement. TCU uses licensure and certification exam passage rates to determine how prepared our students are to enter the workforce. The TCU strategic plan specifically states as our fourth goal to “Strengthen the workforce (both employees and graduates)” (strategic plan goal 4).
Academic Year
TCU Pass Rate
2022-2023
73.14%
2021-2022
67.42%
2020-2021
74.19%
2019-2020
71.97%
2018-2019
72.05%
2017-2018
70.00%
2019-2020 CPA test Data
School
AUD
BEC
FAR
REG
Overall
Rank
TCU
69.44%
77.42%
71.43%
69.57%
71.97%
UT
65.28%
90.54%
63.41%
86.05%
76.43%
TAMU
61.02%
73.53%
49.09%
70.59%
64.43%
UTA
48.33%
61.82%
50.00%
48.00%
51.91%
UTD
53.19%
62.89%
39.29%
54.90%
51.79%
SMU
61.54%
55.56%
72.50%
65.28%
66.84%
Baylor
71.26%
87.10%
68.60%
70.73%
73.50%
UNT
37.04%
45.95%
47.46%
54.84%
45.30%
ACU
64.86%
80.00%
46.43%
66.67%
63.30%
2020-2021 CPA Exam Data
School
AUD
BEC
FAR
REG
Overall
Rank
TCU
66.67%
87.10%
64.84%
62.69%
74.19%
UT
85.60%
94.63%
84.85%
85.57%
91.15%
TAMU
77.43%
91.84%
73.11%
71.69%
76.67%
UTA
53.21%
62.22%
54.46%
53.27%
62.07%
UTD
46.76%
65.34%
42.13%
57.52%
58.75%
SMU
57.61%
73.49%
75.90%
70.13%
76.62%
Baylor
76.47%
80.00%
63.10%
64.66%
72.06%
UNT
44.20%
55.05%
37.66%
46.67%
52.05%
ACU
60.87%
75.76%
47.92%
48.39%
55.93%
2021-2022 CPA Exam Data
School
AUD
BEC
FAR
REG
Overall
Rank
TCU
59.46%
80.95%
51.92%
61.70%
67.42%
UT
76.42%
95.18%
84.66%
74.60%
80.27%
TAMU
68.33%
89.09%
69.83%
70.75%
66.95%
UTA
51.95%
56.45%
44.90%
59.09%
55.15%
UTD
49.56%
68.04%
48.99%
60.71%
55.14%
SMU
62.86%
73.68%
50.70%
68.25%
58.14%
Baylor
61.36%
88.89%
65.35%
81.63%
74.50%
UNT
46.67%
46.77%
44.57%
60.00%
52.94%
ACU
47.62%
56.00%
53.85%
70.97%
63.27%
2022-2023 CPA Exam Data
School
AUD
BEC
FAR
REG
Overall
Rank
TCU
64.91%
81.54%
62.71%
81.97%
73.14%
UT
76.33%
93.45%
75.00%
82.78%
81.82%
TAMU
67.77%
89.81%
68.69%
68.54%
72.74%
UTA
46.15%
57.32%
32.14%
58.02%
48.22%
UTD
47.06%
54.59%
47.42%
54.75%
50.93%
SMU
51.52%
67.82%
57.69%
61.54%
59.36%
Baylor
64.46%
87.88%
64.60%
70.00%
71.11%
UNT
36.67%
53.98%
39.83%
49.09%
44.69%
ACU
39.29%
78.95%
34.48%
60.00%
50.00%
Our goal
is to achieve a 75% pass rate. Additionally, TCU wants to remain among the top four institutions in the state of Texas for pass rates of the Uniform CPA Exam.
Athletic Training – Board Certification and Employment Rates
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
3 year aggregate
# students graduating
11
23
# students graduating who took BOC exam
11
23
# students who passed on first attempt
18
Percentage Passed (regardless of the number of attempts)
83%
83%
82%
83%
Employment Rate as Athletic Trainer:
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
# students employed as AT
11
# students not employed as AT
% of students employed as AT
100%
83%
100%
Our goal
is that the TCU Athletic Training Program maintains a 100% first-time pass rate on the BOC exam.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) CERTIFICATION RATES (first-time takers)
Year
Certification Benchmark (Lowest acceptable threshold)
Annual Pass Rate
Goal
Number of students passing the certification exam the first time taking the exam
2023
80%
100%
100%
3/3
2022
80%
50%
100%
2/4 (the other two passed on 2nd attempt)
2021
80%
100%
100%
1/1
2020
80%
100%
100%
2/2
2019
80%
100%
100%
2/2
2018
80%
100%
100%
1/1
2017
80%
100%
100%
4/4
2016
80%
none
100%
0/0
2015
80%
100%
100%
4/4
Our goal
is that 100% of our students pass the exam on their first-time.
Nurse Anesthesia National Certification Exam (NCE)
2009-2021 Certification Exam Rates:
Year
# Taking Test from TCU
Lowest acceptable threshold
TCU Pass Rate (First-time)
Goal
National Pass Rate
2023
69
80%
90%
100%
84%
2022
67
80%
96%
100%
83.4%
2021
68
80%
90%
100%
84.1%
2020
61
80%
95%
100%
85.2%
2019
58
80%
95%
100%
84%
2018
50
80%
98%
100%
84%
2017
48
80%
88%
100%
83%
2016
57
80%
95%
100%
85%
2015
51
80%
92%
100%
85%
2014
52
80%
100%
100%
88%
2013
51
80%
98%
100%
88%
2012
59
80%
97%
100%
89%
2011
62
80%
97%
100%
89%
2010
64
80%
98.4%
100%
90.3%
2009
52
80%
94%
100%
84%
Our goal
is that 100% of our students pass the NCE exam on their first-time.
More statistics about the DNPA program can be
here
Texas Education Certification Exams
Year
Number Taking Test (TCU)
TCU Pass Rate
Texas Pass Rate
2023-2024
131
97%
76%
2022-2023
118
95%
86%
2021-2022
120
94%
87%
2020-2021
91
97%
2019-2020
89
96%
2018-2019
106
100%
88%
2017-2018
115
97%
78%
2016-2017
106
98%
95%
2015-2016
110
100%
96%
2014-2015
101
98%
94%
2013-2014
112
98%
92%
2012-2013
116
98%
92%
2011-2012
120
99%
92%
2010-2011
120
99%
92%
2009-2010
120
100%
98%
2008-2009
141
98%
98%
2007-2008
142
98%
97%
2006-2007
186
99%
80.6%
2005-2006
184
97%
81.4%
2004-2005
176
98%
82.2%
2003-2004
158
99%
80.1%
2002-2003
183
94%
78.6%
*Data no longer published Title II.
Source: Title II Reported Pass Rate
**
testers for this year are still testing and Title II will update as graduates in this year complete required testing
Our goal
is to have 100% of our student pass the Texas Educator Certification Examination. While we have hit it a couple of times in the past decade, it has not consistently been at 100%.