Retention Rate

Retention Rate is another term for Continuation Rate, which refers to the proportion of a student cohort still enrolled at the same university as undergraduates for a specified year after matriculation. Below are examples of how to compute 1- and 2-year retention rates.

Logical Transformation/Calculation

Retention Rate = (Number of students enrolled 1 year after matriculation / Number of students enrolled at matriculation) * 100.

Examples

Freshmen that began in Fall 1996 as full-time students had an enrollment count of 28,039 at matriculation (denominator). 22,123 of those students were still enrolled 1 year after matriculation (numerator). The 1 year retention rate is calculated by dividing the number of students enrolled 1 year after matriculation by the number of students enrolled at matriculation multiplied by 100:

(22,123 / 28,039) * 100 = 78.9% 1 Year Retention Rate

The 2-year retention rate is calculated by dividing the number of students still enrolled 2 years after matriculation:

(18,478 / 28,039) * 100 = 65.9% 2 Year Retention Rate

Where Data Element Appears

ASIR Tableau Server Dashboards: Academic Program Review Dashboard Continuation Dashboard Populations of Interest Exploration Dashboard Student Success Tracking Dashboard

ASIR Public Student Data Dashboards & Reports: Data Profiles Graduation & Progress Data

See Also

• Cohort
• Continuation Rate
• Matriculation Term/Period

Definition Source

"The percentage of first-time freshmen in a given fall term who returned to the institution in a subsequent fall term.​"

References

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