Student Achievement

The second student achievement measure selected by the institution is retention rates. Retention rates refer to the percentage of first-time, full-time undergraduate students who were enrolled in the fall semester of their first academic year and returned in the fall semester of the following academic year.

This measure was selected because the retention of first-time, full-time degree-seeking students is a standard metric that Fisk tracks and reports to federal and state governing bodies each year. In addition, Fisk considers retention rates to be significant indicators of student success in the matriculation process toward graduation, degree attainment, and ultimate career readiness.  In 2025, the institution set 75% as a threshold of acceptability value for this measure because the institution uses a measure of 10% points higher than the average results of the IPEDS comparison peer groups as the threshold of acceptability for this indicator. According to IPEDS data, for first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered 4-year degree-granting institutions, the overall retention rate in Fall 2024 was 72 percent.

There has been a decrease in retention over the past three years driven by a necessary change in fees collection each semester.  A number of students had not been paying off their balances at the end of the semester and therefore had to be purged from the following semester’s rolls until they paid.   This unfortunate occurrence has reduced Fall 2022 retention from 79% to 72% in Fall 2024.  The first year of these fee changes, the university business office change saw a 9% drop in retention, but that number has stabilized at -2% over the past two years. In sum, Fisk University is still in line to reach the aspirational rate of 75% retention by 2025.

Data on retention are also collected for comparison on peer institutions over a three-year period. Retention as listed here is the percentage of first-time, full-time undergraduate students who were enrolled in the fall semester of their first academic year and returned in the fall semester of the following academic year. The three-year retention rate at Fisk is 74.1%. Fisk’s peers’ rates, according to IPEDS data, are an average of 65.8%. The retention rate at Fisk University has improved from 78% in the fall of 2016 to 81% in the fall of 2017. Also, the retention rate remained essentially the same from the fall of 2017 to 78% for 2019 but fell in 2022 from 79% to a three-year average of 74%. But in comparison to our peer institutions, Fisk is still nearly 10% above their norm over that three-year period.

Continuous Improvement Efforts for Retention

Fisk University’s continuous improvement efforts for student retention focus on strengthening academic support, enhancing student engagement, and addressing financial barriers. The university is expanding tutoring and mentoring programs to provide personalized academic assistance, ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed. Faculty development initiatives emphasize innovative teaching strategies and early intervention for at-risk students, fostering a supportive learning environment. Additionally, Fisk is refining its advising model to provide more proactive and personalized guidance, helping students navigate their academic journey effectively. These efforts are coupled with curriculum enhancements that promote experiential learning, career readiness, and interdisciplinary collaboration, making education more engaging and relevant to students’ long-term goals.

Beyond academics, Fisk University is committed to improving campus life and financial support to retain students. The university is strengthening student organizations, leadership programs, and wellness initiatives to create a more inclusive and supportive campus culture. Expanding need-based scholarships and emergency financial assistance ensures that students facing economic challenges can persist in their studies. Fisk is also working to enhance internship and job placement opportunities, reinforcing the connection between academic achievement and career success. By fostering a sense of belonging, improving financial aid access, and increasing career-focused initiatives, Fisk is ensuring that students are motivated and equipped to complete their education.

Between the admissions office, academic advisors, and student support staff, Fisk has improved its processes around monitoring student progress, which helps explain the increases in retention rates overtime.  But there was a small dip in retention over the past two years, although we hover around 79%.

In addition to this constant communication plan, Fisk also implemented a system of students sharing their achievements through various campus platforms and social media to continually inspire an atmosphere of success. Finally, we drastically increased the number of internship/corporate opportunities to engage students beyond their academic experience.

The third student achievement measure selected by the institution is course completion rates. The institution defines course completion rates as the percentage of enrolled students who completed a course.  Successful course completion at the undergraduate level means the student earned A, B, or C, depending on the course, the level of the course, and whether or not it is an elective or a major course. This measure was selected because successful course completion is a key precursor to the completion of a certificate, degree, or diploma. An essential part of Fisk’s preparation of students and student retention is course completion. General Education (Core) and all academic programs monitor course completion data each semester, and these data are integrated into data driven decision-making in regard to continuous improvement on the course level, as well as in academic/administrative program assessment, and student learning outcome (SLO) assessment.

In Fall 2021, the institution set a target of 89% passing grades as a threshold of acceptability value for this measure, based on a 2 percentage point increase of the five year average of 88% course completion rate from 2016 to 2020.  Furthermore, the institution established the aspirational achievement target of 92% for the course completion rate by 2024-2025.

In the academic year 2022-2023, course completion rates had declined to 86% after hovering around 89.90% the prior three years.  The University changed its data management system from CAMS to Argos causing a small data transition issue. By 2023-2024, those issues had be worked out and the passing ration were back hovering around 91%.

In summary, the institution matched the set target of 89% passing grades in 2022 as a threshold of acceptability.  Furthermore, the institution established the aspirational achievement target of 91% for the course completion rate for 2024-2025. With a 2023-2024 average of 91%, that aspirational target is within reach.

Continuous Improvement Efforts for Course Completion

Fisk University is actively enhancing its continuous improvement efforts to support course completion by implementing targeted academic support initiatives and refining instructional strategies. The university has strengthened its early alert and intervention systems to identify students struggling in their coursework and connect them with tutoring, supplemental instruction, and faculty mentorship. Faculty development programs also focus on innovative teaching methods, such as active learning strategies and technology integration, to enhance student engagement and comprehension.

Additionally, Fisk is expanding its use of academic success coaches and peer mentoring programs to provide students with guidance and encouragement throughout their courses. These efforts ensure that students receive the support they need to successfully complete their coursework and stay on track toward graduation.

Beyond academic interventions, Fisk University is improving institutional policies and student resources to remove obstacles to course completion. Course scheduling has been optimized to provide more flexible options, including hybrid, and online courses, allowing students to balance academics with work and personal responsibilities. The university is also reducing administrative barriers by streamlining registration, financial aid disbursement, and prerequisite requirements to prevent delays in course progression.

Furthermore, Fisk is fostering a culture of accountability and persistence through academic success workshops, faculty-student engagement programs, and incentives for course completion. By continuously refining its academic structures and support systems, Fisk University is ensuring that students have the resources and motivation necessary to complete their courses and advance in their academic journey.

The fourth student achievement measure selected by the institution is graduation rates. Graduation rates are based on the IPEDS methodology: the entering cohort includes degree undergraduates who enrolled for the first time in college either in the fall or in one of the two preceding summer sessions and who are enrolled full-time in the following fall. These criteria are based on a cohort of first-time freshmen continuously enrolled until graduation and do not include transfer students or returning students.
IPEDS traditional graduation rates were chosen because they allow for comparison with similar peer institutions across the country as to consistently monitor improvements. Accordingly, the goal for Fisk’s graduation rate is for first time, full-time students to meet or exceed the average of peer institutions.  The university reviewed the graduation rates of peer and aspirational institutions of our IPEDS comparison groups in order to set our targets as to remain higher than our peers and strive to close the gap with aspirational institutions. In 2016, the institution set 49% as a threshold of acceptability value for this measure, which was based on making sure that our threshold was above the 6-year average. Further, the institution established the strategic/aspirational goal of 52% for the graduation rate. This rate was established because it exceeds the average of IPEDS peer institutions by at least 10 percentage points for each of the years displayed.

Although the 8-year IPEDS comparative peer group is a national sample as opposed to state or metropolitan and city peers, Fisk’s activities to improve graduation rates for the 8-year period were indistinguishable from our 4-year, 5-year and 6-year activities. Therefore, so as not to be redundant, our primary focus here is to present evidence of 8-year graduation rates and carry out a concise, comparative analysis of Fisk and the select national peer group.  Where data are available, student achievement was compared with that of Fisk University peers with the threshold  establish at the three-year average of those peers.

8-year Graduation Rate

The table below documents the IPEDS 8 Year graduation rates along with peer groups selected according to size proximity, demographic characteristics and similar student population economic characteristics. This was a key student completion indicator reported to accreditation agencies and other educational bodies. Here we present comparative data and a short analysis of its significance with a focus on 2021, 2022, and 2023 comparisons with peer institutions. Since 2016, Fisk has averaged a 48.2% graduation rate over the 8-year period. That rate is consistently a solid 11 percentage points above Fisk’s national peer institutions who averaged a 37% graduation rate over that same 8-year period.

Between the 2016-2019, that lead had increased slightly to 12.2% points.  In the past three years 2021-2023, however, there has been an average decrease in Fisk University graduation rates. There is a lagging COVID-19 impact that is a solid factor in that decrease. However, Fisk University has continued to exceed the average of IPEDS peer institutions by  around 10 percentage points for each of the years displayed.

Using the data from the table above---peer comparison for 2021, 2022 and 2023, 8-year Graduation rate - bachelor's degree within 200% of normal time are as follows:

In sum, Fisk has held a consistent average graduation rate well above peer institutions over an 8-year period.  In 2016, the institution set 49% as a threshold of acceptability value for this measure based on making sure that our threshold was above the 6-year average. Fisk held close around that threshold at 48%.  The institution then established the threshold of acceptability of 55% for the graduation rate in the Academic Affairs Strategic Plan and established efforts to increase graduation rates.

Continuous Improvement Efforts to Increase Student Graduation Rates

Fisk University is committed to continuous improvement efforts aimed at increasing graduation rates by enhancing academic support, strengthening advising, and improving student engagement. The university has implemented proactive academic interventions, such as an early alert system (EAB) that identify students facing academic challenges and connect them with tutoring, mentoring, and faculty support. Fisk is also refining its advising model by adopting a more intrusive approach, ensuring that students receive personalized guidance throughout their academic journey.

Overall, in the recent past, during the 2022-2023 Reaffirmation process, Fisk University had implemented several approaches to teaching and learning as well as administrative modifications designed to increase student graduation rates. The Office of Academic Excellence and Student Performance (AESP) is Fisk University’s central location for academic support. With a director and two academic advisor/counselors, AESP reaches out to all students to bolster their academic success. Generally, advancements in instructional technologies coupled with quality human resources, helped increase graduation rates at Fisk University in the past.  There had been a slight dip, however, in those 4 year rates which can be attributed to conditions leading up to the COVID crisis of three years.

In sum, special attention has been given to ensuring students follow program completion plans, meet deadlines, attend classes, and adhere to the academic calendar. The institution continues to actively monitor these developments.

The fifth student achievement measure selected by the institution is Job Placement Rate. The institution defines Job Placement Rate as being calculated by dividing the number of graduates employed in the field by the number of graduates available for employment from each program.  Based on the strategic goals described in the Fisk University 2023-2027 Strategic Plan [2], job placement rates are central to executing the institution’s strategic plans, goals and objectives.  Specifically, cultivating leaders and scholars requires a direct focus on strengthening career development and placement opportunities for students to enhance readiness to meet in-demand skills. This includes: "(a) Providing professional development opportunities for students to enhance their readiness for jobs; and (b) Developing co-curricular opportunities that enhance student’s career competitiveness.” This measure was selected because it is central to a graduating student’s career opportunities. Improving the employability of Fisk graduates continues to be a focal area for the university. Since the pandemic, the institution continues to be intentional by promoting local, regional, and national employment opportunities.

The Office of Career Planning and Development (OCPD) administers an annual First Destination Survey for all graduating undergraduate seniors prior to graduation. In addition, every few years, a survey is given to young alumni to capture additional information from those who did not complete the survey or did not have placement information at the time of the survey [5].

For students employed during the 2022-2024 period, the data reflects that employment was related to their majors. During these years, more than 10% of students reported that they planned to attend graduate school. However, for 2024, 50% of the responses indicated they were not transitioning to full-time positions or attending graduate school immediately. Most of the respondents shared that they were still seeking positions or waiting for updates regarding full-time jobs or graduate school offers. Because of this information, there is a commitment to continue tracking students for the first few months after graduation to ensure we have the most updated information regarding placement.

Job placement rates have steadily increased over the last nine years. For example, a study of the 2015 graduates revealed that only 27 students, 34% of the total, obtained jobs in their field of study, within one year of graduation. However, in 2017, 53 students, 53% of graduates, attained jobs in their fields of study within that first year. This resulted in an increase from two years prior. This was the first year we hired a technical intern to assist with tracking events and outcomes, so this was a direct result of this effort. Although the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years were tied to the unsettling development of COVID-19, those trends were moving in that direction in 2017-2018.

Continuous Improvement Efforts for Job Placement

There is a continued effort to track students the first few months after graduation by using a variety of methods including personal emails, calls, texts, posts, and LinkedIn pages. By following students after the initial survey results, there is an expectation that graduates will have information that will shift in the numbers toward placement data.

In 2018, the Office of Career Planning and Development, in conjunction with other members of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), implemented a job posting site. This platform afforded the University the ability to offer more full-time positions and internships. The office has been intentional about raising job placement rates and increasing graduate school attendance over the last seven years.

One major improvement for the department was the move to the newest building on campus in 50 years. The Roland G. Parrish Center for Career Planning and Development [6] was operational in November 2022. The new space provided the department with an opportunity to host more partners and events on campus. This building is now where industry/career fairs, employer interviews and major corporate engagement events take place.

In addition, the office is partnering with Academic Affairs and Information Technology Systems (ITS) to launch a new data hub during the spring of 2025. This hub will track ALL experiential learning opportunities and full-time placements across the campus.

The sixth student achievement measure selected by the institution is graduate school attendance. The institution has averaged more than 15% graduate school attendance over the past 5 years. This is the percentage captured during the time of the last survey. Furthermore, the institution established the strategic/aspirational goal of 25% for graduate school attendance. This aspirational goal was established based on a need to raise the bar in assisting students to improve their skills level in a work environment that increasingly requires graduate education to advance from entry-level employment in many fields.

For the last three years, the number of students transitioning to graduate school has been low and consistent since the pandemic. In 2023, the percentage was 17%. For 2024, the number is slightly below 2023 at 15%, and the number is still being tracked until May 2025. Although many graduates eventually return to school to complete graduate degrees, more graduates are gaining work experience in competitive majors before going back to school. For those who commit to summer programs or externships prior to attending school, it is to create an advantage over their peers. This creates an opportunity to gain real-world experience that positions graduates for success.

The rising costs of graduate school and the debt after completing an undergraduate degree also plays a role in recent graduates continuing their education immediately following graduation.

Continuous Improvement Efforts for Graduate School Attendance

Graduate school attendance remains a major focus for students in certain majors and disciplines. The University continues to establish agreements with professional and graduate school programs. Academic Affairs has an agreement with Kaplan to provide test prep materials for students interested in pursuing graduate school.

The University has maintained graduate school and bridge program agreements with Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College, and Case Western Reserve University, to name a few. The Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA) agreement with the Galen School of Nursing partnership provides Fisk students with an opportunity to attend Galen after graduation. These and other initiatives will continue to help increase graduate/professional school attendance and will aid in the university reaching a 25% graduate school placement rate over the next year. Although Fisk had more than 25% attend graduate school in 2017(29%), we would like to see that number hit 30-35%, with an intentional focus for the STEM majors. A partnership with the new STEM Coordinator and pre-health programs will help us attract more graduate programs and partners during the 2024-2025 academic year.

An intentional partnership with Academic Affairs will also allow the Office of Career Planning and Development to work directly with faculty, staff, and students, uploading placement information through the data hub during the end of the fall, spring, and summer. These updates will make it easier to track outcomes in years to come and will ensure the goal of 30% in graduate school is accomplished by 2028.

Presented below is a panoramic snapshot of disaggregated enrollment metrics reflective of students’ demographic characteristics as they matriculate into Fisk. There are 22 data categories presented for enrollment.

Fisk has shown consistent improvement in enrollment in 2022, 2023, and 2024 with minor decreases in its Male Students, In-State Students, Institutional Aid, Part-time students, and racial/ethnic diversity among the student body.