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Grad Rate Formula:
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The graduation rate formula calculates the percentage of students who successfully complete their program within a specified timeframe. It's a key metric for evaluating educational program effectiveness and student success outcomes.
The calculator uses the graduation rate formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula provides a simple percentage that represents the proportion of students who graduated from the original cohort.
Details: Graduation rates are critical indicators of educational program success, used by institutions for accreditation, by policymakers for funding decisions, and by prospective students when choosing programs.
Tips: Enter the number of graduates and the total cohort size. Both values must be valid (non-negative integers, graduates cannot exceed cohort size).
Q1: What time period does this calculation cover?
A: This calculation typically covers a standard completion timeframe, often 4 years for undergraduate programs or the normal duration for other programs.
Q2: How are transfer students handled in this calculation?
A: Standard graduation rate calculations typically exclude transfer students and focus only on the original cohort of first-time, full-time students.
Q3: What is considered a good graduation rate?
A: This varies by institution type and program, but generally rates above 60% are considered good for four-year institutions, with elite universities often exceeding 90%.
Q4: Are there different methods for calculating graduation rates?
A: Yes, some calculations include extended timeframes (6-year rates for 4-year programs) or different cohort definitions depending on the reporting requirements.
Q5: How often should graduation rates be calculated?
A: Most institutions calculate graduation rates annually, often following the completion of each academic year.