Student Achievement at KSU
An evaluation of KSU’s mission statement reveals that student success is a key element of the University’s mission. As stated in this mission statement, “the University strives continually to enhance student success, improve institutional quality, and respond to public demand for higher education.” Further evidence of the University’s focus on student success is Strategy One in KSU’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. Through this strategy, KSU will improve its “retention, progression, and graduation rates through initiatives targeted at the distinct challenges faced by students at each stage of their education.”
To that end, KSU has set criteria to be measured for undergraduate student achievement in key areas, such as retention rate, the number of bachelor's degrees conferred, graduation rate, and scores on licensure exams.
Criterion for Student Achievement: First-Year Undergraduate Retention Rate
The GOALS for the retention rate of first-time undergraduate students are 1) to exceed the average of KSU's SACSCOC peer institutions and 2) to exceed the institution's previous year's rate.
The University annually monitors first-year retention rate of undergraduate first-time, full-time degree-seeking students as a measure of the success of its undergraduate programs. The data below are for post-consolidated KSU.
Minimal Threshold for Achieving Student Success: 76%
For the Fall 2016 cohort, the range of first-year undergraduate retention rates for KSU's SACSCOC peer institutions was 69%-80%, and the average was 76.4%.
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Cohort SemesterRetention SemesterCohort SizePerformance
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Fall 2022Fall 2023
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Fall 2021Fall 20225,20778.3%
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Fall 2020Fall 20214,88780.1%
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Fall 2019Fall 2020
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Fal 2018Fall 2019
Source: KSU Office of Institutional Research
Criterion for Student Achievement: Number of Bachelor's Degrees Conferred
The GOAL for the number of bachelor's degrees conferred is to exceed the University's previous year's number.
The University annually monitors the number of bachelor's degrees conferred as a success of its undergraduate programs. The data below are for post-consolidated KSU.
Minimal Threshold for Achieving Student Success: 5,044
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Fiscal YearNumber of Bachelor's Degrees Conferred
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20185.044
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20174,770
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20164,687
Source: KSU Office of Institutional Research
Criterion for Student Achievement: Six-Year Baccalaureate Graduation Rate
The GOALS for the six-year baccalaureate graduate rates are 1) to exceed the average of KSU's SACSCOC peer institutions and 2) to exceed the institution's previous year's graduation rate.
The University annually monitors its six-year baccalaureate graduation rates of first-time full-time degree-seeking students as a measure of success of its undergraduate program. The data below are for pre- and post-consolidated KSU.
Minimal Threshold for Achieving Student Success: 47%
For the Fall 2011 cohort, the range for six-year baccalaureate graduation rates for KSU's SACSCOC peer institutions was 37%-59%, and the average was 47.3%.
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Cohort SemesterGraduation YearCohort SizePerformance
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Fall 20122017-183,833TBD
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Fall 20112016-173,45841.8%
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Fall 20102015-163,44241.8%
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Fall 20092014-153,20840.8%
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Fall 20082013-143,16541.8%
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Fall 20072012-132,82242.5%
Source: KSU Office of Institutional Research
Licensure Examination Success
Bagwell College of Education
Criterion for Student Achievement: Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Pass Rate
The GOAL for the GACE pass rate is 1) to exceed the specialized accrediting agency pass rate requirement and 2) to exceed the institutional threshold.
GACE is Georgia’s state-approved educator certification assessment program. These computer-delivered assessments have been developed by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and Educational Testing Service (ETS). The purpose of the GACE assessments is to help the GaPSC ensure that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job of an educator in Georgia’s public schools. The data below are for pre- and post-consolidated KSU.
Minimal Threshold for Achieving Student Success: 95% Pass Rate
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has an 80% or higher pass rate requirement. This minimum threshold is determined by the faculty in the Bagwell College of Education based on past institutional performance, accreditation requirements, effectiveness, measures, and state averages.
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YearAssessment AreaNumber TakingNumber PassingPass Rate (%)
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2016-17Curriculum & Instruction2323100
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Educational Leadership504896
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Instructional Technology20720398
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Teacher Leadership Portfolio26935
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2015-2016Curriculum & Instruction1010100
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Educational Leadershp4040100
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Instructional Technology18117898
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Teacher Leadership Portfolio600
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2014-15Educational Leadership211990
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Instructional Technology545398
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Teacher Leadership Portfolio6233
Source: KSU's CAEP Annual Reporting Measures
WellStar College of Health and Human Services
Criterion for Student Achievement: Nursing Undergraduate National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) Pass Rate
The GOAL for the NCLEX pass rate is 1) to exceed the national average and 2) to exceed the institutional threshold.
The NCLEX is administered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) with the intention of developing psychometrically sound and legally defensible nurse licensure and certification examinations consistent with current practice. The data below are for pre- and post-consolidated KSU.
Minimal Threshold for Achieving Student Success: 92% First-Time Pass Rate
The national average for the NCLEX is 80%. The Kennesaw State five-year average pass rate is 95.04%. This minimum threshold is determined by the faculty in the WellStar School of Nursing based on the Kennesaw State and national averages.
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YearNumber PassingPass Rate (%)
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201717796.72
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201617795.16
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201520894.23
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201421594.42
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201318794.65
