Graduation and Transfer
Graduation rates are calculated for a group of students, called a cohort, whose progress is tracked over a period of time. Some students transfer before graduating, so the tables show both graduation and transfer rates for a complete view of outcomes.
The cohort includes first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students who start in the fall. Their progress is monitored for 1.5 times the program length. For example, a 2-year degree-seeking student is tracked for three years where a 1-year certificate seeking student is tracked for 1.5 years. As a result, the graduation rate includes both degree and certificate completers.
Fall 2020 Cohort Note: This cohort began their college journey during the initial fall term of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various factors, including shifts in instructional formats, individual student circumstances, and disparities in access to resources, among others, may have impacted student outcomes during this time.
| Fall Cohort | 2016 by 2019 | 2017 by 2020 | 2018 by 2021 | 2019 by 2022 | 2020 by 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation (150% time) | 21.8% | 20.1% | 17.8% | 17.8% | 17.7% |
| Transfer (no degree) | 19.8% | 19.0% | 17.1% | 20.6% | 27.1% |
| Combined Graduation and Transfer | 41.6% | 39.1% | 34.9% | 38.4% | 44.7% |
- The graduation rate for the fall 2020 student cohort at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year mirrors that of the two prior cohorts.
- However, the percentage of students who transferred before completing their PCC credential is higher for the 2020 cohort compared to previous cohorts.
- The elevated transfer rate for the 2020 cohort led to a combined graduation and transfer rate that is also higher than those of previous cohorts.
Equity Gaps by Sex
Equity gap refers to disparities in a metric such at graduation rates or term-to-term persistence across various demographic categories. These disparities prompt the college to ask “What processes, policies or practices are in place that create or contribute to these disparities? ” rather than “What is the student doing wrong?”
| 2020 Cohort by Sex | Range (low to high) | Equity Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation | 16.7% to 18.8% (female to male) | 2.1% points |
| Transfer | 26.0% to 28.0% (male to female) | 2.0% points |
| Combined Grad and Transfer | 44.8% to 44.7% (female to male) | no difference |
- The combined graduation and transfer rates for female students are comparable to those for male students.
- Although a slightly higher percentage of male students graduated, a slightly higher percentage of female students transferred.
*Equity Gaps by Race/Ethnicity
| 2020 Cohort by Race/Ethnicity | Range (low to high) | Equity Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation | 13.1% to 22.1% (Hispanic/Latino to Asian ) | 9.0% points |
| Transfer | 19.9% to 30.6% (Hispanic/Latino to White) | 10.7% points |
| Combined Grad and Transfer | 33.0% to 51.4% (Hispanic/Latino to Asian) | 17.3% points |
| *Equity gaps are based on groups with more than 20 members | ||
- Equity gaps persist across racial and ethnic groups in both graduation and transfer rates.
- The combined graduation and transfer rates for Asian, White, Black/African American, and multi-racial groups were higher for the 2020 cohort compared to the 2019 and 2018 cohorts.
| Race/Ethnicity Group | Combined Graduation Transfer Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Cohort | 2019 Cohort | 2020 Cohort | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native (n=12) | 30.8% | 29.4% | 25.0% |
| Asian (n=181) | 46.9% | 47.4% | 51.4% |
| Black or African American (n=115) | 27.7% | 30.1% | 47.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino (n=594) | 28.0% | 30.4% | 30.4% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n=19) | 16.7% | 31.8% | 5.3% |
| Two or more races (n=167) | 31.7% | 40.6% | 42.5% |
| Not Reported (n=94) | 33.5% | 32.5% | 44.7% |
| White (n=1,245) | 37.2% | 43.1% | 50.2% |
Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Data System, Graduation Rates