College Completion Rates on the Rise: A Positive Trend

The percentage of students who began college in the fall of 2018 and earned a credential within six years is higher than any class of students of the 12 cohort years tracked, according to a new report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. According to the Yearly Progress and Completion report, the six-year college completion rate this year grew (+0.5 pp) to 61.1% ─ a promising development after several years of stalled progress.

“Higher completion rates are welcome news for colleges and universities still struggling to regain enrollment levels from before the pandemic,” said Doug Shapiro, Executive Director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. “Even as fewer students are starting college this fall, more of those who started back in 2018 have stayed enrolled through to the finish.”

The rise in completion rates can be explained by a combination of factors. First, there has been a reduction in student dropout rates (-0.4 pp; 30.2%). Second, public two-year colleges have seen an increase in the number of students earning degrees (+1.2 pp; 43.4%).

This is the first report in a new annual series, Yearly Progress and Completion. It builds on previous reports and utilizes enhanced data and methods to more accurately track and evaluate first-time college students. View the complete report here.

“Higher completion rates are welcome news for colleges and universities still struggling to regain enrollment levels from before the pandemic. Even as fewer students are starting college this fall, more of those who started back in 2018 have stayed enrolled through to the finish.”

Doug Shapiro
Executive Director, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center

Additional Resources:

• Read the Yearly Progress and Completion report
• Visit the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center