The table below provides persistence rates to the second year for beginner students who were enrolled as full-time students in the fall. This is a dynamic view of persistence based upon accepted exclusions from the cohort (i.e. deceased students, military service) and the recognition of systems flaws that can be identified and remedied at a later date (i.e. student identification number changes, washouts after census).

The beginner cohort is defined by matriculation in the fall semester as a degree-seeking student. Matriculation in the preceding summer term and re-enrollment in the fall is also included. Additionally, students who begin taking college courses in high school and become traditional college students during any of these sessions or semesters are included. The cohort definition conforms to the standards required by various external groups for reporting purposes.

A students home campus is defined by his or her fall semester enrollment regardless of intercampus transfer.

Retention is defined as re-enrollment or receipt of a degree. Retention rates have been restated for all the cohorts represented and are defined consistently. Prior years' fact books presented retention rates for all beginners.

Retention Rates as First Reported for each Cohort

The explanation in the preceding table describes how retention rates for full-time beginners from prior years are reflected as changes in the cohort are recorded. This table displays for each year the overall (including transfer students) retention rate first reported for each cohort.