Student achievement data
SCAD identifies, evaluates, and publishes goals and outcomes for student achievement appropriate to the university's mission, the nature of the students the institution serves, and the kinds of programs offered. SCAD utilizes data from these evaluations for long-range planning purposes and to document progress toward goals of the institution's strategic plan, SCADnext. Each SCAD student achievement outcome is aligned with the SCAD mission and corresponds directly with SCADnext goals, which drive decision-making at all levels. SCAD continuously seeks to measure and improve every facet of the university experience and holds student achievement paramount.
SCAD's Carnegie Classification is "Special Focus: Arts, Music, and Design." SCAD enrolls a diverse student body with students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
SCAD evaluates progress toward these outcomes annually, using relevant measurable criteria. SCAD's choice of criteria reflects accepted institutional metrics and data, as well as data annually collected by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), such as retention and graduation rates. University leadership reviews the results and updates these thresholds and targets annually. Each fall, the SCAD institutional effectiveness department works with leaders across all locations and learning modalities to review the most recently available student achievement data, document achievements, and determine action steps as needed.
Six-year graduation rate
Source: IPEDS
Threshold
|
Goal
|
2025 results
|
Threshold met? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
64% |
70% |
70% |
Yes |
Retention
Source: IPEDS
Threshold
|
Goal
|
2025 results
|
Threshold met? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
68% |
80% |
87% |
Yes |
Career outcomes rate
Source: NACE and SCAD internal surveys
Threshold
|
Goal
|
2025 results
|
Threshold met? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
85% |
95% |
99% |
Yes |
Degree conferral
Source: IPEDS and internal trend data
Threshold
|
Goal
|
2025 results
|
Threshold met? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2,397 bachelor's degrees |
2,775 bachelor's degrees |
2,878 bachelor's degrees |
Yes |
Six-year Graduation Rate
Consistent with SCAD’s mission to prepare talented students for creative professions, the university selected graduation rate as a student achievement metric. Graduation rate is also identified as the SACSCOC Key Student Completion Indicator (KSCI).
Goal: 70%
For first-time students in the Fall 2017 cohort (the year most recently published on IPEDS), the SCAD six-year graduation rate is 70%. As the observed rate meets the established goal of 70% and remains above the minimum threshold of 64%, the performance criterion is met.
Retention Rate
To remain aligned with SCAD’s creative student body and its leading-edge academic programs, student retention serves as a critical indicator of whether the institution is delivering adequate and effective student support.
Goal: 80%
For first-time students in Fall 2022, institutional records supplemented by IPEDS indicate a retention rate of 87%. As the observed rate exceeds the established goal of 80% and remains far above the minimum threshold of 68%, the performance criterion is met.
Career Outcomes Rate
Consistent with its mission to prepare talented students for creative professions, SCAD uses career outcomes as a key evaluative criterion.
Goal: 95%
For the last 8 years, 99% of combined undergraduate and graduate alumni reported being employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD met and exceeded both its threshold of acceptability and goal.
Degree Conferral
SCAD offers a large and diverse portfolio of degree programs, including those in emerging and innovative fields of study. Degree conferral functions as a core outcome metric for assessing academic program effectiveness.
Goal: The highest annual degree conferral observed in the prior six years
SCAD’s lowest degree conferral totals over the past six years were 2,397 bachelor’s degrees and 833 master’s degrees. Using these figures as minimum thresholds, the university has met and substantially exceeded its benchmarks in the most recent reporting year, conferring 2,878 bachelor’s degrees and 1,024 master’s degrees. Moreover, these outcomes surpass SCAD’s aspirational targets based on the six-year high of 2,775 bachelor’s degrees and 982 master’s degrees.
Contact
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