The University of Miami evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its mission. The University uses many criteria to evaluate student achievement including student success, student satisfaction, and post-graduation outcomes.
Student Success
Retention Rate
The University utilizes the federal retention rate as a measure of student success because it indicates the degree to which entering first-year students are successful in transitioning from high school to the University by completing their first year and returning for their second year. As shown in the table below, the University has averaged a retention rate of 91.9% over the last five years. The University's strategic planning goal is to increase the retention rate by 2025.
Graduation Rate
The University utilizes the federal six-year graduation rate as a measure of student success because it indicates the degree to which entering first-year students are successful in achieving their educational goals at the University by attaining a bachelor's degree. As shown in the table below, the University has averaged a six-year graduation of 83.1% over the last five years. The University's strategic planning goal is to increase the 6-year graduation rate by 2025.
| 4-Year Graduation Rate |
72.4% |
69.8% |
72.9% |
72.1% |
73% |
72.0% |
| 5-Year Graduation Rate |
82.4% |
80.4% |
81.5% |
81.8% |
82% |
81.6% |
Breakouts of graduation rates by gender, race/ethnicity, and financial aid status are available on the Institutional Research and Strategic Analytics website.
Post-Graduation Outcomes
The University also measures student achievement in terms of how successful students are in fulfilling their post-graduation plans. Post-graduation outcomes include graduate school and employment.
Graduate School and Employment Outcomes
The Toppel Career Center collects data on students' post-graduation plans each year and publishes the career outcomes on its website. The University's goal is that the majority of its graduate will be successful in fulfilling their post-graduation plans. The data on the Class of 2020 demonstrate that students are successful in achieving post-graduation outcomes: 93% of students had secured post-graduate plans within six months of graduation. Of these, 57% has a full-time job; 41% were in graduate school; 1% were working part-time; and 1% were pursing other opportunities such as military or full-time volunteer experiences.
For information on the programs offered by the University's colleges and schools, check the links below.
