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

Seniors Planning to Attend Four-Year Colleges, By Region. Read text for explanation Seniors Planning to Attend Community Colleges, By Region. Read text for explanationHigh 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.

Enrollment of New Undergraduates, Four-Year Virginia Colleges and Universities, By Region of Origin. Read text for explanation Enrollment of New Virginia Community College Students, By Region of Origin. See text for explanationOf 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.

Enrollment of New Undergraduates, Four-Year Virginia Colleges and Universities, By Region of Origin. Read text for explanation. Enrollment of New Virginia Community College Students, By Region of Origin. See text for explanation. Seniors Planning to Attend Four-Year Colleges, By Region. See text for explanation. Seniors Planning to Attend Community Colleges, By Region. See text for explanation.

Data Definitions and Sources

College Completions by Award Level: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

College Enrollment Data: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Fall headcount by domicile of new undergraduates.

High School Senior Graduation Plans: Virginia Department of Education

Public College and University Graduation Rates (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia)

Degrees awarded:  U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics

Graduation rates: National Center for Educational Statistics. IPEDS Graduation Rate Survey, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education. Percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking students. The calculation does not account for transfers across institutions.

See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Hampton Roads Performs.

At a Glance: College Graduation

Performance: Improving

Highlight: In 2008-2009, more than 72 percent of high school seniors in the Hampton Roads region planned to attend a two-year or four-year college.

college graduate
Regional Programs & Initiatives

The Access College Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to assist students attending the 29 public high schools in the South Hampton Roads area in furthering their education beyond high school. Founded in 1988 by Frank Batten and Joshua P. Darden, Jr., the program is supported by local foundations, businesses and individuals who believe that every student who graduates from high school should have the opportunity to attend college.