Graduation rate performance

<p><strong>USN&WR Graduation rate performance:</strong> A comparison between the actual six-year graduation rate for students entering in fall of year X and the predicted graduation rate for the proportion who graduated six years later in fall year X+6. The predicted graduation rate is based upon characteristics of the entering class, as well as characteristics of the institution.</p>

<p>If the actual graduation rate is higher than the predicted rate, the college is enhancing achievement or is overperforming. If its actual graduation rate is lower than the predicted rate, then it's underperforming. U.S. News divided the actual rate by the predicted rate. The higher the ratio, the better the score.</p>

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<p>This indicator of added value shows the effect of the college's programs and policies on the six-year graduation rate of students after controlling for spending per student, the proportion of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, standardized test scores and high school class standing of the entering classes, and for the first time, the proportion of undergraduates who are first-generation. Also, the proportion of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, degrees out of the total degrees granted was a variable used to calculate the predicted graduation rate for each school in the National Universities ranking category only.</p>

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<p>To determine whether an awarded degree was considered STEM, U.S. News used the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program list. The list includes a diverse array of degrees in general STEM areas such as biology and engineering, as well as specific STEM degree tracks in nontraditional STEM fields, such as business statistics and digital communication and media.</p>

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