What is a

Graduation Rate

A graduation rate is a measure of how many students who began in the same cohort will graduate in six years for four-year programs or three years for two-year programs. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees in a timely manner upon enrolling. It can also help prospective students measure the quality of a school, since higher graduation rates may indicate that students’ resources, time and investment in a program at a particular school will likely be worth it.

A graduation rate refers to a student’s ability to complete their degree or diploma program within a certain time frame. A strong graduation rate typically highlights students’ hard work, teachers’ commitment to education and multiple support systems. Many schools with high graduation rates have selective, elite standards for prospective students because schools want to maintain a strong reputation in academia.