Education

College Graduation

College Graduation

The college graduation rate and the number of degrees awarded are indicators of the quality of the K-12 and higher education resources in the region. In 2008, the Hampton Roads region ranked third highest among the regions in the rate at which native students enrolled as new students in Virginia four-year colleges.

Why is This Important?

The college graduation rate, enrollment rates, and the number of degrees and other credentials awarded are measures of the success of our post-secondary education system. Virginia's rate of degree completion indicates how many degree-seeking students who enter college graduate in a reasonable time. The post-graduation plans of high school seniors provide an indication of the perceived opportunities available in higher education and their ability to be successful.

How is Hampton Roads Doing?

College graduation rates are measured as the proportion of degree seeking students who finish their degree within six years for a bachelor's degree and three years for an associate's degree. The Hampton Roads region has four public four-year colleges or universities and three two-year community colleges. Among the public four-year colleges and universities, the College of William and Mary had the highest graduation rate, with 91.5 percent of freshmen in 2001 graduating within six years, exceeding the state average of 67.3 percent.

Graduation Rates, Bachelor's Degree, Percent of 2001 Freshmen Class

	College of William and Mary		Christopher Newport University		Norfolk State University		Old Dominion University		All Virginia Public Colleges and Universities
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate	Number	Rate	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
Graduation within 4 years	1,140	83.9%	318	30.5%	113	11.5%	340	22.6%	12,399	47.3%
Graduation within 5 years	1,232	90.7%	491	47.1%	240	24.5%	641	42.7%	16,678	63.7%
Graduation within 6 years	1,242	91.5%	537	51.5%	302	30.8%	729	48.5%	17,617	67.3%

Among the community colleges, graduation rates within three years ranged from 10.4 percent at Thomas Nelson Community College to 10.8 percent at Paul D. Camp Community College, based on students who entered in 2004. These rates were lower than the state average of 14.6 percent for the entering class in 2004. (Note: These rates do not reflect students who transfer out of community colleges to other institutions).

Three-Year Graduation Rates, Associate's Degree, By Student Cohort

		1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Thomas Nelson Community College	Number	47	53	54	73	78	81
	Rate	8.0%	8.9%	7.6%	10.9%	10.1%	10.4%
Tidewater Community College	Number	141	148	173	164	171	216
	Rate	9.0%	8.3%	9.1%	8.9%	8.9%	10.7%
Paul D. Camp Community College	Number	16	14	14	2	19	11
	Rate	16.8%	14.1%	14.3%	2.4%	12.8%	10.8%
All Virginia Community College students	Number	1,225	1,257	1,292	1,339	1,555	1,693
	Rate	14.4%	14.7%	13.9%	14.5%	15.0%	14.6%

The rate at which Associate's, Bachelor's, Graduate and Professional degrees are granted has increased since 2000 in the Hampton Roads region, but the rate still lags behind the average for Virginia. In 2000, awards were granted at a rate of 596 per 100,000 residents in the Hampton Roads region; in 2008, the rate increased to 718. During the same period the state average increased from 637 per 100,000 residents to 745.

Graduates by Degree Level, per 100,000 Residents

		2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Associate's Degree	HR	130.6	143.9	151.3	138.4	144.6	171.9	175.3	192.3	194.5
	VA	130.5	135.5	143.1	144.9	149.4	154.5	156.0	160.7	169.2
Bachelor's Degree	HR	321.2	312.1	330.6	337.1	330.0	332.1	348.7	357.9	374.2
	VA	353.7	351.3	363.1	367.1	372.5	381.2	384.5	391.1	399.2
Graduate/ Professional	HR	143.9	136.8	141.1	142.3	141.8	149.1	146.6	144.8	149.5
	VA	153.1	149.7	152.5	159.7	166.2	173.7	171.0	176.1	176.4
Total	HR	595.8	592.7	623.1	617.8	616.5	653.1	670.6	695.0	718.2
	VA	637.4	636.5	658.7	671.7	688.0	709.4	711.5	727.9	744.9

High school student goals for higher education indicate a level of confidence in their success and perceived opportunities. In 2009, the Hampton Roads region had a smaller percent of seniors planning to attend a four-year college (43.7 percent) than in Virginia (45.7 percent) as a whole. The Northern region and Central region had higher percentages of seniors who planned to attend a four-year college at 54.3 percent and 45.7 percent respectively.

The Hampton Roads region had the third lowest percent of seniors planning to attend a community college at 28.5 percent; the Valley region (25.5 percent) and Central region (27.5 percent) were lower.

Of course, not all students elect to attend college in Virginia. For those who did attend Virginia colleges and universities, Hampton Roads' enrollment rates, measured as the number of native students enrolled as new students in Virginia colleges per 100,000 residents, have increased at community colleges and four-year institutions. Enrollment at public community colleges increased from 246 new students per 100,000 residents in 2000 to 402 in 2008. Among Virginia's regions, Hampton Roads ranked fourth in the rate of new students enrolled at public community colleges. The overall rate for Virginia was 359 per 100,000 residents in 2008.

Hampton Roads new student enrollment at Virginia public four-year and private, non-profit four-year schools increased over the 2000-2008 period. The enrollment for Hampton Roads natives increased from 341 to 372 per 100,000 residents, which was above the state average of 364. Among Virginia's regions, Hampton Roads ranked third in enrollment. The Northern region sent the most new students to Virginia four-year public and private non-profit colleges at 422 per 100,000 residents.

What Influences College Graduation?

College graduation rates are primarily influenced by three sets of factors: how well students are prepared for college; affordability and access to financial aid; and institutional efforts at retention.

High school seniors' plans to attend college are also influenced by a variety of factors, including the availability of educational opportunities; preparation in high school; guidance and career counseling; and affordability of the education.