Results (R)

1R4 Comparing Results

National and state comparative data in sections 1R1 and 1R2 indicate that Western graduates perform at about the average of other institutions in regard to major content knowledge, above average on licensing examinations, and slightly below average in terms of general education. Education and nursing graduates out-performed more selective four-year institutions in Missouri.

DHE expects four-year open access institutions to achieve a 55 percent freshman success rate (2.0 GPA after 24 credit hours). The goals for highly selective, moderately selective, and selective institutions are 90, 80, and 70 percent respectively. Data show the success rate for Western has increased from 41 percent in 1992 to 52 percent in 2002. The national retention rate into the sophomore year for “less selective” institutions of Western’s size is about 69 percent for full-time students. Western’s first-to-second year student success rates (24 credits and 2.0 GPA) exceed the average for other Missouri open access institutions (Figure 1.19).

DHE has set Missouri graduation goals for open enrollment, moderately selective, selective, and highly selective institutions at 45, 55, 65, and 75 percent respectively. Western’s six-year graduation rate increased from 34 percent in 2002 to 41 percent in 2004 (Figure 1.20). Western’s six-year graduation rates exceed those of other Missouri open access institutions.

Western knows of no national six-year graduation data collected specifically on open access institutions. The Center for Student Data Exchange reported a 36.5 percent graduation rate for “less selective” institutions of Western’s size for the 1996 to 2002 cohort group (Figure 1.21). According to ACT data (2004), the national five-year graduation rate for four-year, bachelor-degree-granting, public institutions is approximately 41.7 percent.

Noel-Levitz data indicate that Western, over three years, has a retention rate to the second year of about 59 percent for first-time full-time students.

Given the comparatively low average family income for Western’s students (almost 30 percent below the average for students in Missouri’s public four-year sector), economics may play a significant role in students' progress toward graduation.

In teacher education (1R2), Western remains competitive with other Missouri institutions. DHE set a goal that 90 percent of students admitted to teacher education would achieve an ACT Composite at the 66th percentile or 265 on the C-Base; additionally, 80 percent of graduates recommended for certification would achieve PRAXIS scores that equal or exceed the national average, e.g., at or above the 50th percentile. Only one Missouri highly selective four-year public institution consistently meets that goal. Western placed above moderately selective and selective institutions in 2004 (Figure 1.21).

Figure 1.19 Freshman Student Success Percentages

Center for Student Retention Data Exchange

top of page

Figure 1.20 Graduation Rates by Percentage Missouri Institutions by Mission Category

Center for Student Retention Data Exchange

top of page

Figure 1.21 Teacher Education Admissions/Exit Scores (at or above 50th percentile on the Exit Exam)

¹The first number represents the percent of students meeting the ACT or C-Base requirement.
²The second number represents the percent of students above the 50th percentile on the Praxis.

top of page