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Graduation Rate Formula:
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Graduation rate is a key educational metric that measures the percentage of students who successfully complete their program of study within a specified cohort. It provides important insights into educational effectiveness and student success outcomes.
The calculator uses the graduation rate formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the percentage of students from a specific cohort who graduated, providing a clear measure of educational program success.
Details: Accurate graduation rate calculation is crucial for educational institutions to assess program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders including students, parents, and accrediting bodies.
Tips: Enter the number of graduates and the total cohort size. Both values must be valid (graduates ≥ 0, cohort > 0, and graduates cannot exceed cohort size).
Q1: What is considered a good graduation rate?
A: This varies by institution type and program, but generally rates above 70% are considered good, while rates above 85% are excellent for most educational programs.
Q2: How does graduation rate differ from retention rate?
A: Graduation rate measures completion of the program, while retention rate measures continued enrollment from one term to the next without necessarily completing the program.
Q3: What time period should be used for cohort measurement?
A: Typically, cohorts are defined by entry term (e.g., Fall 2020 cohort) and tracked over the standard completion timeframe for the program.
Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This basic calculation doesn't account for transfer students, extended timeframes, or different completion standards across institutions.
Q5: How often should graduation rates be calculated?
A: Most institutions calculate graduation rates annually, often following standardized reporting periods set by accrediting bodies or government agencies.