University of Idaho - I Banner
Menu
A student works at a computer

VandalStar

U of I's web-based retention and advising tool provides an efficient way to guide and support students on their road to graduation. Login to VandalStar.

Common Tools

Resources

Services

Access Email Access VandalWeb Visit Human Resources

Institutional Research

Assessment and Accreditation

Physical Address:
Associate Director
Assessment and Accreditation
Admin, Room 325
Moscow, ID 83844-3163

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 3163
Moscow, ID 83844-3163

Phone: 208-885-5962

Email: assessment@uidaho.edu

Web: Assessment and Accreditation

Directions

Student Achievement Data

Retention

Retention is the percentage of first-year students that return to the same institution for the second year. Students who are not retained by the same institution may be enrolled at another institution. U of I retention data informs the institution of opportunities for improvement, supporting student success and institutional health.

Data Source: IPEDS

U of I retention is trending downward for the past five years, beginning with 82% for Fall 2017, and ending with 75% for Fall 2021.
51% is the average 5-year retention rate for native Hawaiian or other pacific islander students, 52.9% for American Indian or Alaska native students, 70.8% for first generation students, 71.2% for Pell eligible students, 73.7% Black or African American students, 73.9% for male students, 76.7% for direct loan but not Pell eligible students, 77.1% for white students, 77.5% for Hispanic or Latino students, 78.1% for Asian students, 78.4% for all U of I students, 78.7% for female students, 79.4% for students who are not first generation, and 80.4% for students who are neither Pell eligible nor direct loan eligible.

Comparison with our peer institutions allows the U of I to understand retention in relation to our competitors. Retention data is compared nationally, with the U of I’s official peer institutions. Additional comparison is made regionally, with Idaho 4-year public institutions.

National Peer Institutions: Georgia Southern University, Kent State University at Kent, Louisiana Tech University, North Dakota State University – Main Campus, South Dakota State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts – Boston, The University of Montana, and The University of Wyoming.

Regional Peer Institutions: Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College

U of I average 5-year average retention is 78.4%, the national peer institution 5-year average retention is 77.3%, and the regional peer institution 5-year average retention is 67.7%.

Completion

Completion rates provide the percentages of students who graduate or complete their program within a specified timeframe. Students and their families use these rates in the college decision making process. The University of Idaho tracks 4-year and 6-year graduation rates to understand how long it takes its students to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Read more about how graduation rates are explained.

  • 4-year graduation rate: The number of students who completed their degree program within 100% of the “normal time,” or 4 years (8 semesters). Data Source: IPEDS
Between cohort years 2014-15 and 2018-19, the 4-year graduation rate has steadily increased each year from 37.1% in 2014-15 to 42.9% in 2018-19.
17.5% is the average 4-year graduation rate for black or African American, 21.1% American Indian or Alaska native, 31.7% for Hispanic/Latino, 32.9% for Pell eligible, 33.5% for male, 34.4% for first generation, 36.3% for native Hawaiian or other pacific islander, 37.3% for Asian, 38.9% for direct loan not Pell eligible, 40% for all U of I students, 42.4% for white, 42.5% for not first generation, 46.4% for female, and 48% for no Pell or direct loan students.

Comparison with our peer institutions allows the U of I to understand completion in relation to our competitors. Completion data is compared nationally, with the U of I’s official peer institutions. Additional comparison is made regionally, with Idaho 4-year public institutions.

National Peer Institutions: Georgia Southern University, Kent State University at Kent, Louisiana Tech University, North Dakota State University – Main Campus, South Dakota State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts – Boston, The University of Montana, and The University of Wyoming.

Regional Peer Institutions: Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College

The average four-year graduation rate for the U of I from the past five years is 34.8%. This number is compared with a 5-year average from its national peer group, which is 34.1%, and its regional peer group, which is 19.2%.
  • 6-year rate: The number of students who completed their degree program within 150% of the “normal time,” or 6 years (12 semesters).
Between cohort years 2012-13 and 2016-17, the 6-year graduation rate has hovered around 59%. However, in the most recent cohort year, 2016-17, we saw a slight increase to 61%.
34.4% is the average 6-year graduation rate for american indian or alaska native, 35.7% for native hawaiian or other pacific islander, 39.7% for black or african american, 51.7% for pell eligible, 53.3% for first generation, 55.1% for male, 57% for hispanic/latino, 57.9% for direct loan but not pell eligible, 59% for all U of I students, 59.9% for white, 61.5% for not first generation, 62.9% for female, 67.5% for no pell or direct loans, and, 69.9% for asian students.

Comparison with our peer institutions allows the U of I to understand completion in relation to our competitors. Completion data is compared nationally, with the U of I’s official peer institutions. Additional comparison is made regionally, with Idaho 4-year public institutions.

National Peer Institutions: Georgia Southern University, Kent State University at Kent, Louisiana Tech University, North Dakota State University – Main Campus, South Dakota State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts – Boston, The University of Montana, and The University of Wyoming.

Regional Peer Institutions: Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College

The average six-year graduation rate for the U of I from the past five years is 57.6%. This number is compared with a 5-year average from its national peer group, which is 55.8%, and its regional peer group, which is 37.4%.

Post-Graduate Success

Post-graduate success is measured by how well students fare in their careers within six-months of graduation. Data is collected from U of I graduates using NACE’s First-Destination Survey by the Career Services. We track the percentage of students who are working (part or full-time), continuing their education (earning another degree such as a master’s or doctorate), or are still looking for employment.

Recent graduates are sent the survey approximately 5 months after graduation from the U of I. Career Services follows up with students who don’t respond or indicated they were still seeking, and update their post-grad status. The survey has an initial response rate of approximately 30%, and responses are later supplemented by Career Services’ findings using LinkedIn and other sources, to determine the official “knowledge rate.”

The Career Services analyzes and publishes a summary report of career outcomes for U of I graduates, as well as summaries by college. Final results for 2020-2021 graduates are available. Additionally, national summary reports are available from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which include reports and trends for classes going back to 2014.

Comparison with peer institutions allows the U of I to understand retention in relation to our competitors. The charts below shows career outcomes comparisons between U of I, U of I subpopulations, and selected national peer groups.

Comparison Group N
University of Idaho 1,295
All Institutions 508,665
Carnegie R1 273,391
Similar Sized Schools 98,739
All Publics 367,271
67% of U of I students were working after graduation, compared with 60% at all institutions, 56% at Carnegie R1 Schools, 65% at similar sized schools, and 57% at all public institutions. 17% of U of I students were continuing their education after graduation, compared with 22% at all institutions, 23% at Carnegie R1 Schools, 20% at similar sized schools, and 21% at all public institutions. 14% of U of I students were continuing their education after graduation, compared with 13% at all institutions, 15% at Carnegie R1 Schools, 10% at similar sized schools, and 16% at all public institutions.
The knowledge rate for U of I was 63% in 2021-22. This is compared with a rate of 55% at all institutions and 54% at Carnegie R1 schools.
15% of female students at the U of I were still looking compared with 10% at all institutions. 19% were continuing education from U of I compared with 24% at all institutions. 66% of U of I students were working, compared with 59% of those from other institutions.
13% of male students at the U of I were still looking compared with 11% at all institutions. 16% were continuing education from U of I compared with 21% at all institutions. 71% of U of I students were working, compared with 63% of those from other institutions.
13% of Asian students at the U of I were still looking compared with 13% at all institutions. 25% were continuing education from U of I compared with 23% at all institutions. 63% of U of I students were working, compared with 58% of those from other institutions.
8% of Black or African American students at the U of I were still looking compared with 13% at all institutions. 15% were continuing education from U of I compared with 22% at all institutions. 77% of U of I students were working, compared with 58% of those from other institutions.
0% of Hawaiian Native or Other Pacific Islander students at the U of I were still looking compared with 13% at all institutions. 33% were continuing education from U of I compared with 19% at all institutions. 67% of U of I students were working, compared with 59% of those from other institutions.
26% of Hispanic/Latino students at the U of I were still looking compared with 15% at all institutions. 26% were continuing education from U of I compared with 21% at all institutions. 47% of U of I students were working, compared with 57% of those from other institutions.
19% of American Indian or Alaska Native students at the U of I were still looking compared with 13% at all institutions. 19% were continuing education from U of I compared with 20% at all institutions. 57% of U of I students were working, compared with 60% of those from other institutions.
14% of White students at the U of I were still looking compared with 10% at all institutions. 17% were continuing education from U of I compared with 22% at all institutions. 67% of U of I students were working, compared with 63% of those from other institutions.

To better understand the career outcomes of our student subpopulations, U of I analyzed a sample from the 2020-21 dataset that included unduplicated U of I students enrolled as seniors in either Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 semesters. Findings are shown below for career outcomes by sex, first generation status, and race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity N
White 652
American Indian or Alaska Native 21
Asian 24
Hispanic 19
Black or African American 13
Hawaiian Native or Other Pacific Islander 6
Unreported 39
Overall 774
15% of U of I female students were still looking, compared with 13% for male students. 19% of female students were continuing education compared with 16% for male students. 66% of female students were working compared with 71% for male students.
15% of U of I Not First-Generation students were still looking, compared with 12% for First Generation students. 16% of Not First-Generation students were continuing education compared with 40% for First Generation students. 68% of Not First-Generation students were working compared with 48% for First Generation Students.
The percentage of students working by race/ethnicity were as follows: 77% Black of African American, 67% White, 67% Hawaiian Native or Pacific Islander, 67% all U of I students, 63& Asian, 57% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 47% Hispanic.
The percentage of students continuing education by race/ethnicity were as follows: 33% Hawaiian Native or Other Pacific Islander, 26% Hispanic, 25% Asian, 19% American Indian or Alaska Native, 17% All U of I students, 17% White, and 15% Black or African American.
The percentage of students still looking by race/ethnicity were as follows: 26% Hispanic, 19% American Indian or Alaska Native, 14% all U of I students, 14% White, 13% Asian, 8% Black or African American, and 0% Hawaiian Native or Other Pacific Islander.

Analysis of the 2021-22 dataset will include socioeconomic status and will be discussed in future reports. This demographic data was not available for the 2020-21 dataset.

Persistence

Persistence is the percentage of first-year students that return to any institution for the second year, whereas retention rate measures the percentage of first-year students that return to the same institution for the second year. This means students who successfully continue their studies at another institution are counted as successfully pursuing their educational goals. For first-year students who began at the U of I in Fall 2014, 89.9% returned to study at an institution for the second year in Fall 2015.

Enrollment is tracked through the National Student Clearinghouse.

Data Source: IPEDS Measure Outcomes, 2014 Cohort

The U of I 2014 Cohort persistence rate was 87.5% for First Generation students and 90.4% for Not First-Generation students.
The U of I 2014 Cohort persistence rate was 86.5% for Pell Eligible students and 91.1% for Not Pell Eligible students.
The U of I 2014 Cohort persistence rate was 91.6% for Female students and 87.1% for Male students.

Persistence data is reported for the following demographics. Data is redacted for groups with 5 or fewer students.

Race/Ethnicity N
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 5
Hispanic/Latino 172
White 1,232
Black or African American 24
American Indian or Alaska Native 5
The U of I 2014 Cohort persistence rate was 100% for Asian students, 95.8% for Black or African American students, 90% for White students, and 89% for Hispanic/Latino students.

Comparison with our peer institutions allows the U of I to understand persistence in relation to our competitors. Overall persistence rate is compared nationally with the National Student Clearinghouse average for the 2014 Cohort.

The U of I 2014 Cohort persistence rate was 89.9%, compared with the national average rate of 88.2%.

The U of I is moving from using IPEDS Measure Outcomes to National Student Clearinghouse data, to collect more recent data on persistence that can be used for planning purposes. This will also allow the institution to engage in more robust peer comparison and benchmarking.

Download Adobe Reader

Assessment and Accreditation

Physical Address:
Associate Director
Assessment and Accreditation
Admin, Room 325
Moscow, ID 83844-3163

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 3163
Moscow, ID 83844-3163

Phone: 208-885-5962

Email: assessment@uidaho.edu

Web: Assessment and Accreditation

Directions