Retention Landscape

Institutions have been focused on increasing graduation rates for many years. Now, it’s time to view improving student retention as a strategic goal. 

Student retention has wide-ranging impacts on factors such as:

  • Student self-image and lifelong success.
  • Student and family finances.
  • The work and morale of all stakeholders.
  • Program and course offerings.
  • Institutional and departmental finances.
  • Institutional rankings and perceptions.

In order for an institution to assess its progress, it’s critical to understand the retention landscape within higher education.

Higher Education Retention Rates

81%
average among all U.S. colleges granting four-year degrees.
87%
at UB.
97%
average among institutions admitting <25% of applicants.

UB fall 2017 retention rate.
National Center for Education Statistics, April 2020.

Aspirant Peers

UB’s student retention rate is above the national average, but there is room for improvement when compared to our AAU peers.

IPEDS Enrollment Fall 2017 Entering cohort (1st-time, Full-time, Degree-seeking).