Student Achievement

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Mailing Address:
Institutional Effectiveness and Research
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd.
MSC Box 710014
Lynchburg, VA 24515

Physical Address:
Green Hall, Room 2562

Office Email:
IER@liberty.edu

Phone:
(434) 592-3003

The University evaluates the following criteria as important measures of student achievement: Retention Rates, Six-Year Graduation Rates, Student Loan Cohort Default Rates, and Licensure and Certification Exam Pass Rates.

Through the evaluation of these criteria against defined thresholds and goals, the University evidences its ongoing commitment to student achievement in concert with the mission and strategic planning initiatives.

Retention Rates

Liberty University tracks incoming cohorts of first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking undergraduate students returning their second year in the Fall semester as a measure of student achievement. Threshold is based on a rolling five-year average of IPEDS national data for four-year private not-for-profit institutions. The target goal represents the ceiling of performance, based on the average of the most recently reported IPEDS data from peer institutions. Retention rates for the last five years are above the established institutional threshold. However, three of the years, Fall 2020-2021 through 2022-2023 Cohorts, were above the threshold but one percentage point below the goal.

First-Year Cohort Retention Rates
2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
81%	79%	79%	79%	80%

Threshold: 75% | Target Goal: 80%

Source: IPEDS Fall Enrollment reports
Definition: IPEDS Retention Rate
Cohort: Incoming Fall class of first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking undergraduate students who return the following Fall semester

Six-Year Graduation Rates

Liberty University uses the traditional IPEDS Graduation Rates (150%; 6-year graduation rate) as our Key Student Completion Indicator (KSCI) of student achievement. Liberty tracks incoming cohorts of first-time, full-time, bachelor’s degree-seeking undergraduate students. Threshold is based on a rolling five-year average of IPEDS national data for four-year private not-for-profit institutions. The target goal represents the ceiling of performance, based on the average of the most recently reported IPEDS data from peer institutions. Liberty University has consistently met its established graduation rate thresholds and goals with the exception of the Fall 2014 Cohort whose rate did not meet the goal but did meet the threshold.

First-Year Cohort Six-Year Graduation Rates
Fall Cohort	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Graduated by	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Rate	58%	65%	67%	66%	67%

Threshold: 55% | Target Goal: 61%

Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates reports
Definition: IPEDS FTFT 150% of Completion Time – 6 Years
Cohort: Incoming Fall class of first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking undergraduate students who graduate within 6 years of matriculation.

Student Loan Default Rates

View Student Financial Services for more detailed information.

Financial Aid Summary Information

Licensure and Certification Exam Pass Rates

Liberty University’s licensure and certification exam pass rates for specific degree programs provide insight into student achievement, program effectiveness, and graduate readiness for licensure and certification.

Licensure and Certification Exam Pass Rates

Student Achievement

First-Year Cohort Retention Rates

First-Year Cohort Six-Year Graduation Rates