Ten Goals for Student Achievement

The College’s institutional goals for student achievement are determined relative to multiple sources of comparative data and to institutional aspirations, as stated in the College’s strategic plan. Because performance indicators for graduates’ achievements are specified in South Carolina law, the College of Charleston relies primarily on comparisons to other universities also assigned by the state to its “four-year colleges and universities” category.

Further, because the College has been characterized by stable undergraduate enrollments and SAT/ACT scores for incoming undergraduate students, the College’s past performance is heavily weighted in determining appropriate criteria and thresholds of acceptability for undergraduate student achievement.

Ten Goals for Measuring Student Achievement

The College evaluates the success of students using six performance indicators for graduates’ achievements, as designated in state law. In addition to these performance indicators, the College has evaluated the success of continuing students using four common metrics: retention rates, degrees awarded, time to degree completion, and course completion rates. These 10 goals and corresponding achievement metrics are appropriate for the College of Charleston given the institutional mission and strategic initiatives of the institution explicitly stated in the College’s Strategic Plan.
  • Goal 1: Four-Year and Six-Year Graduation Rates (S.C. Performance Indicator)

    Institutional Goal: For students enrolling as degree­seeking undergraduates, the College’s strategic plan goal for the four-year graduation rate is 62% and the strategic goal for the College’s six­year graduation rate is 73%. These goals are intended to increase the four- and six-year graduation rates thereby improving student success outcomes and positioning the College among the very best institutions in the state, region, and nation.

    Minimum Threshold: According to the state of South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a public university in the state’s “four­year college and university” category. The College of Charleston is one of only two universities in this category with a history of exceeding the College’s minimum four­-year graduation rate threshold (50%) and the College’s minimum six­=year graduation rate threshold (60%). The current threshold for undergraduate student achievement at the College of Charleston was selected because it is consistent with or exceeds the historic performance for students at universities in our state­designated peer group. The minimum threshold also is consistent with the national average for Public Master’s I institutions, as reported by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

    Outcome:

  • Goal 7: Undergraduate Retention Rates (College of Charleston Indicator)

    Institutional Goal: As established in the College’s strategic plan, for students enrolling as degree-seeking undergraduates, the College’s first-to-second year retention of first-time, full-time freshmen will reach 87% by 2026.

    Minimum Threshold: A review of institutional retention data over the last decade shows a relatively flat line with first-to-second year retention hovering around the 79% to 80% rate. In order for the College of Charleston to achieve its institutional goal of 87% by 2026, the institution should see a minimum of 1% increase in retention each year. Retention of first-time, first-year students is directly related to degree attainment and student achievement. The College is committed to continuous improvement in this area.

    Outcome: