Student Achievement

Student Achievement

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its dual mission, the MGA Strategic Plan, the programs that it offers, and the goals and strategies of Complete College Georgia.

Specifically, Middle Georgia State University evaluates its success with student achievement using the following metrics and benchmarks:

Retention

MGA tracks the fall-to-fall retention of all first-time, full-time students. As a member of the University System of Georgia (USG) in the state university sector, MGA uses USG definitions of retention and compares itself to its statewide peers.

The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average retention rate of all first-time, full-time students at USG state colleges, with the target goal to exceed the average retention rate of all first-time, full-time students at USG state colleges.

First-Year Undergraduate Retention Rate

First-Time Full-Time Freshman One-Year Retention Rates (All Degrees)

Cohort Semester	Retention Semester	Cohort Size	Students Retained	State College	MGA Performance
Fall 2023	Fall 2024	1133	728	61.1%	64.3% ⇑
Fall 2022	Fall 2023	1094	667	60.0%	61.0% ⇑
Fall 2021	Fall 2022	868	530	59.2%	61.1% ⇑
Fall 2020	Fall 2021	1,158	648	56.5%	56.0% ⇓
Fall 2019	Fall 2020	1,314	783	60.6%	59.6% ⇓
Fall 2018	Fall 2019	1,358	748	59.0%	55.1% ⇓
Fall 2017	Fall 2018	1,086	665	57.3%	61.2% ⇑
Fall 2016	Fall 2017	1,230	753	60.0%	61.2% ⇑
Fall 2015	Fall 2016	1,435	890	61.5%	62.0% ⇑
Fall 2014	Fall 2015	1,218	775	61.5%	63.6% ⇑

Degrees Conferred

MGA tracks the number of degrees conferred in associate, baccalaureate, certificate, and graduate programs as metrics of increasing levels of student educational attainment.

The threshold of acceptability is for all degree levels* is to meet the prior 3-year average of degrees conferred with the target goal to exceed the prior year average number of degrees conferred.

(*Note Post consolidation efforts focus on expanding baccalaureate and graduate programs)

Fiscal Year	Certificates	Associate	Bachelor's	Advanced Cert	Master's	Doctorate
3 Year Average (FY21-23)	49	248	984	10	175	-
FY 2024	46 ⇓	193 ⇓	992 ⇑	47 ⇑	195 ⇑	21 ⇑
FY 2023	51	203	986	10	185	28
FY 2022	52	265	1,038	15	205	-
FY 2021	46	277	930	4	134	-
FY 2020	39	255	909	3	123	-
FY 2019	47	421	775	2	88	-
FY 2018	28	465	743	-	53	-
FY 2017	42	331	675	-	11	-
FY 2016	21	376	631	-	-	-
FY 2015	16	475	670	-	-	-

*Fiscal Year to Date

Experiential Learning / High Impact Practice

Experiential Learning graduation distinction can only be applied to Associate and Bachelor programs therefore, the metrics below only include those degree levels. 

Average Graduating GPA

The threshold of acceptability is to exceed the GPA of those without an Experiential Learning (EL) distinction. 

Fiscal Year	EL Distinction GPA	Non-EL Distinction GPA
FY 2025	3.27 ⇓	3.24
FY 2024	3.29 ⇑	3.19
FY 2023	3.28 ⇑	3.19
FY 2022	3.28 ⇑	3.17
FY 2021	3.27 ⇑	3.18
FY 2020	3.25 ⇑	3.15
FY 2019	3.26 ⇑	3.15
FY 2018	3.24 ⇑	3.11

Experiential Learning Distinction Awarded

The threshold of acceptability is to award 40% of Associate and Baccalaureate degrees with Experiential Learning distinctions each fiscal year. 

Fiscal Year	EL Distinction	Non-EL Distinction	% of Degrees with EL Distinction
FY 2025	479	614	43.8% ⇓
FY 2024	520	665	43.9% ⇑
FY 2023	512	662	43.6 ⇑
FY 2022	640	663	49.1% ⇑
FY 2021	580	627	48.1% ⇑
FY 2020	560	606	48.0% ⇑
FY 2019	460	633	46.9% ⇑
FY 2018	546	661	45.2% ⇑

Master's Graduate Graduation Rates

The threshold of acceptability for the 2-year graduation rate is 65% and 75% for the 3-year graduation rate with a target goal to exceed the prior year's rate.  

Year	New Summer/Fall Students	Graduated Within 2 Years	2-Year Grad Rate	Graduated Within 3 Years	3-Year Grad Rate
2024	247
2023	224
2022	197	125	63.5% ⇓
2021	139	92	66.2% ⇑	103	74.1% ⇑
2020	195	119	61.0 % ⇓	136	69.7 % ⇓
2019	145	94	64.8% ⇓	110	75.9% ⇓
2018	112	84	75.0% ⇑	95	84.8% ⇑
2017	72	48	66.7% ⇑	55	76.4% ⇑
2016	28	16	57.1% ⇓	20	74.1% ⇓

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Doctoral Graduate Graduation Rates

The threshold of acceptability for the 2-year graduation rate is 65% and 75% for the 3-year graduation rate with a target goal to exceed the prior year's rate.  

Year	New Summer/Fall Students	Graduated Within 2 Years	2-Year Grad Rate	Graduated Within 3 Years	3-Year Grad Rate
2024	48
2023	27
2022	21	21	100% ⇑
2021	30	28	93.3% ⇑	28	93.3% ⇑

Undergraduate Graduation Rates

MGA tracks the six-year graduation rates of all first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students. As a member of the University System of Georgia (USG) in the state university sector, MGA uses USG definitions of graduation rates and compares itself to its statewide peers.

The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average graduation rate of all first time, f ull-time bachelor degree-seeking students of USG state colleges, with the target goal to exceed the average graduation rate of all first time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of USG state colleges

6-Year Baccalaureate Graduation Rates 

All first-time full-time bachelor degree-seeking students.

Cohort Semester	Graduation Year	Cohort Size	Students Graduated	State College Rate	State University Rate	MGA Performance
Fall 2018	2023-24	1039	247	24.1%	44.0%	23.8% ⇓
Fall 2017	2022-23	740	194	22.6%	43.0%	26.2% ⇑
Fall 2016	2021-22	701	193	21.8%	46.3%	27.5% ⇑
Fall 2015	2020-21	679	177	23.6%	41.8%	26.1% ⇑
Fall 2014	2019-20	447	125	21.1%	43.4%	28.0% ⇑
Fall 2013	2018-19	371	100	22.8%	43.6%	27.0% ⇑
Fall 2012	2017-18	354	97	18.7%	41.3%	27.4% ⇑

8-Year Baccalaureate Graduation Rates

All first-time full-time bachelor degree-seeking students.

For SACSCOC, Middle Georgia State University identified the new IPEDS 8-year Baccalaureate graduation rate as its key student completion indicator. This criterion also provides key insights into the effectiveness of MGA programming.

The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average graduation rate of all first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of USG state colleges, with the target goal to exceed the average graduation rate of all first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of our identified SACSCOC peer institutions.*  (USG Data and IPEDS DFR)

Cohort Semester	Graduation Year	Cohort Size	Students Graduated	State College Rate	SACS Peer Rates*	MGA Performance
Fall 2016	2023-24	701	217	25.1%	45.3%	31.0% ⇑
Fall 2015	2022-23	679	194	27.3%	NA	28.6% ⇑
Fall 2014	2021-22	447	143	24.7%	40.7%	32.0% ⇑
Fall 2013	2020-21	371	115	26.6%	31.9%	31.0% ⇑
Fall 2012	2019-20	354	116	22.7%	33.8%	32.8% ⇑
Fall 2011	2018-19	285	83	20.2%	38.5%	29.1% ⇑
Fall 2010	2017-18	183	65	22.8%	35.2%	35.5% ⇑

Course Success Rates

The threshold of acceptability is a 70% course success rate for all courses, with a target goal set at 75%.  

Semester	Courses Attempted	Courses Successful	Success Rate
Fall 2024	27,726	22,787	82.1% ⇑
Fall 2023	26,699	21,572	80.8% ⇑
Fall 2022	25,889	20,563	79.43% ⇑
Fall 2021	26,465	20,692	78.19% ⇑
Fall 2020	28,830	22,259	77.21% ⇑
Fall 2019	27,609	21,920	79.39% ⇑
Fall 2018	27,025	20,512	75.90% ⇑
Fall 2017	25,431	20,263	79.68% ⇑
Fall 2016	26,776	20,700	77.31% ⇑
Fall 2015	26,803	20,925	78.07% ⇑
Fall 2014	27,232	21,385	78.53% ⇑

LS Success Rates

The threshold of acceptability is a 50% course success rate for all LS courses, with a target goal set at 55%

ENGL 1101

TERM	Attempted	Success	Success Rate
Fall 2024	309	153	49.5% ⇓
Fall 2023	259	133	51.4% ⇓
Fall 2022	233	140	60% ⇑
Fall 2021	242	138	57.0% ⇑
Fall 2020	297	117	39.4% ⇓
Fall 2019	140	82	58.6% ⇑
Fall 2018	91	30	33.0% ⇓
Fall 2017	67	44	65.7% ⇑

MATH 1001

TERM	Attempted	Success	Success Rate
Fall 2024	472	343	72.7% ⇑
Fall 2023	415	244	58.8% ⇓
Fall 2022	369	255	60.9% ⇑
Fall 2021	314	153	48.7% ⇓
Fall 2020	340	139	40.9% ⇓

External Examinations in Professional Fields

MGA monitors students' performance on external examinations that are required for graduation and that lead to professional licensure or certification. 

Educator Certification

The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average state pass rates with a target goal to exceed.

Year	Number Taking	Number Passing	Pass Rate (%) MGA	Pass Rate (%) Statewide
2023-2024	43	42	98 ⇓	98
2022-2023	45	45	100 ⇑	98
2021-2022	45	45	100 ⇑	99
2020-2021	62	61	98 ⇑	99
2019-2020	52	51	98 ⇑	98
2018-2019	41	39	95 ⇓	99
2017-2018	47	47	100 ⇑	98
2016-2017	36	36	100 ⇑	99
2015-2016	42	42	100 ⇑	100
2014-2015	77	77	100 ⇑	99
2013-2014	65	63	97 ⇓	99

Respiratory Therapy

The threshold of acceptability is to meet or exceed CoARC mandated thresholds, which are listed above and on the interactive map, and https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/ with the goal to exceed. The metrics listed are the most recent three-year averages against CoARC standards. No threshold is currently set for RRT success.

Year	TMC High Cut Threshold	TMC National Avg	TMC High Cut MGA	RRT Success National Avg	RRT Success MGA
2024	60%	84%	97% ⇓	72%	95%
2023	60%	85%	98% ⇑	76%	95%
2022	60%	83%	94% ⇓	72%	91%
2021	60%	85%	98% ⇑	76%	95%
2020	60%	87%	98% ⇑	78%	96%

Nursing

The threshold of acceptability is the Georgia Board of Nursing requirement of 80% for first-time takers within in a 12-month period for the pre-licensure BSN and ASN NCLEX pass rate.  

• Data is reported for the undergraduate pre-licensure NCLEX and the graduate certification. Note: GBON does not regulate certification pass rates.  The DON uses the threshold as defined by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) beginning in 2023 with a goal of 80% of first-time takers including repeaters within a 12-month period.

NCLEX RN Pass Rate (Bachelor's Degree)

Examination	Number Tested	Number Passed	MGA Pass Rate	State Average	National Average Pass Rate
2024	88	88	100% ⇑	91.7%	91.9%
2023	121	118	97.52% ⇑	89.88%	90.18%
2022	132	123	93.18% ⇑	82.75%	82.32%
2021	145	118	81.38% ⇑	86.33%	86.1%
2020	167	140	83.83% ⇑	89.9%	90.3%
2019	142	127	89.44% ⇑	91.1%	91.2%
2018	111	102	91.89% ⇑	90.5%	91.6%
2017	93	82	88.17% ⇑	90.5%	90.0%
2016	72	66	91.67% ⇑	83.7%	87.8%
2015	79	73	92.41% ⇑	92.4%	82.8%
2014	47	45	95.74% ⇑	95.7%	85.6%
2013	49	35	71.43% ⇓	71.4%	86.0%

NCLEX RN Pass Rate (Associate’s Degree)

Examination	Number Tested	Number Passed	MGA Pass Rate	State Average	National Average Pass Rate
2024	50	48	96% ⇑	93.1%	90.6%
2023	51	48	94.12% ⇑	91.44%	87.76%
2022	84	73	86.90% ⇑	82.21%	77.91%
2021	57	54	94.7% ⇑	85.24%	78.8%
2020	73	64	87.7% ⇑	86.5%	82.8%
2019	58	55	94.83% ⇑	90.3%	85.1%
2018	43	40	93.02% ⇑	87.4%	85.1%
2017	40	38	95.00% ⇑	90.4%	84.2%
2016	41	37	90.24% ⇑	87.5%	81.7%
2015	83	74	89.16% ⇑	89.2%	89.6%
2014	77	73	94.81% ⇑	94.8%	84.8%
2013	99	83	83.83% ⇑	84.6%	84.5%

Certification Pass Rate (Master’s Degree)

Examination	Number Tested	Number Passed	MGA Pass Rate	National Average Pass Rate
2023	14	14	100% ⇑	AACN - 91% ANCC - No data
2022	22	18 *one unknown	81.8% ⇓	AACN – 83% ANCC – 85%
2021	17	16 *one unknown	94.1% ⇓	AACN – 83% ANCC – 87%
2020	24	24	100% ⇑	AACN – 86% ANCC – 92%
2019	15	14	93.3% ⇑	AACN – 81% ANCC – 83%
2018	5	5	100% ⇑	AACN – No data ANCC – 82%
2017	12	12	100% ⇑	AACN – no data ANCC – 82%

Note: MGC and MSC combined data for 2010 – 2013.

Source: MGA Nursing Department 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification Exam

Year	MGA Pass Rate
2024	100% ⇑
2023	88% ⇓
2022	95% ⇑
2021	100% ⇑
2020	*
2019	95% ⇑
2018	92% ⇑
2017	96% ⇑
2016	88% ⇑
2015	91% ⇑
2014	89% ⇑
2013	100% ⇑

The threshold of acceptability is to meet the exam’s national average pass rate with a goal of 80%.

Data about student achievement on the Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification Exam can also be found directly on the NBCOT website. *2020 graduates were unable to test in 2020 due to the pandemic. 

sACSCOC Selected Peer Institutions

USG State Universities: Clayton State University, Savannah State University

USG State Colleges: Dalton State College, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia Gwinnett College

Non-USG Institutions: The University of West Alabama, University of North Alabama, College of Central Florida, Gulf Coast State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Northwest Florida State College, Pensacola State College, St. Johns River State College, The University of Tampa, Georgia Military College

 

Disclosure

*This data is provided as part of the disclosure requirements found in the Policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that institutions publish "statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals.”

*It also meets several expectations of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008

*All operational definitions of student achievement are reviewed and updated annually, along with all associated data points