Student Achievement

RPCC identifies, evaluates, and publishes goals and outcomes for student achievement appropriate to the College mission, students, and educational programs. RPCC identifies student achievement goals (target levels of performance) and thresholds (minimum acceptable performance), publishes outcomes (actual results), and evaluates the extent to which goals are achieved. RPCC uses multiple measures to document student success.

Graduation Rate

A key indicator of student achievement is the student completion of declared programs of study as analyzed by the College graduation rate. For this measure, RPCC utilizes graduation rate data for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates within 150% of normal time to program completion from the IPEDS Data Feedback Report [Key Student Completion Indicator].

Goal: Achieve 34% graduation rate (by 2026 IPEDS Feedback Data Report)

Notes: The goal rate is to achieve the average IPEDS peer performance graduation rate across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports. The minimum performance level is 15% (average institutional graduation rate across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports)

Credential Completion

A key indicator of student achievement is the completion of exit points offered by the college, including certificates, diplomas and degrees. For this measure, RPCC utilizes the data on the number of sub-baccalaureate degrees and certificates awarded annually, by level, as identified on the IPEDS Feedback report.

Goal: Award 265 associate degrees annually (by 2026 IPEDS Report)

Notes: The goal is to achieve the average IPEDS peer performance associate degrees awarded level across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports. The minimum performance level is 198 annual awards (calculated as remaining within 25% of the average peer associate degrees awarded level from the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports)

Goal: Award 327 certificates and diplomas of at least one year annually (by 2026 IPEDS Report)

Notes: The goal was calculated as a 15% increase from the baseline performance level (average awards across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports). The minimum performance level is 56 annual awards (calculated as remaining within 25% of the median peer certificates awarded level from 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports)

Goal: Award 105 certificates of less than 1 year annually (by 2026 IPEDS Report)

Notes: The goal is to achieve the average IPEDS peer performance certificates awarded level across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports. The minimum performance level is 55 annual awards (calculated as remaining within 25% of the median peer certificates awarded level from 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports)

Retention Rate

In addition to program completion rates, RPCC recognizes the importance of evaluating student persistence towards completion. For this measure, RPCC utilizes fall-to-fall retention rate data of first-time, full-time degree/certificate seeking students as identified on the IPEDS Feedback report.

Goal: Achieve 60% fall to fall retention rate (by 2026 IPEDS Report)

Notes: The goal is to achieve the average IPEDS peer performance retention rate level across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports. The minimum performance level is a 45% retention rate (calculated as remaining within 25% of the median peer transfer rate from 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports)

Transfer Rate

Considering that many students attend RPCC with a goal to transfer to other institutions towards the fulfillment of advanced degrees and programs, the rate at which students successfully make the transition to other educational institutions is important to consider. For this measure, RPCC utilizes transfer-out rate data for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates within 150% of normal time to program completion from the IPEDS Feedback report.

Goal: Maintain a transfer rate between 15-20% (for the 2021-2026 IPEDS Reports)

Notes: The goal rate is to maintain a transfer rate between 15-20%/ The IPEDS peer performance transfer rate has varied from 16 – 19% across the 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports. The minimum performance level is a 12% transfer rate (calculated as remaining within 25% of the median peer transfer rate from 2017-2020 IPEDS Data Feedback Reports)

Course Completion Ratio

Another key indicator of student achievement is the rate at which students successfully complete individual courses in their first academic year. As higher first-year credit completion ratios are linked with higher credential completion rates, this metric can help identify student populations needing early intervention. A student’s individual credit completion ration (CCR) is derived by taking the total number of credits a student has earned in his/her first year and dividing the total number of credits attempted in the first year. RPCC utilizes the Credit Completion Ratio Benchmarking tool within the National Student Clearinghouse Postsecondary Data Partnership platform to calculate this measure

Goal: Achieve 71% CCR (by 2026 PDP Report)

Notes: The goal is to achieve the average national community peer performance CCR across the previous 6-year period. The minimum performance level is a 53% CCR (calculated as remaining within 25% of the peer CCR from previous 6-year period)