Indiana College Graduation Rates Rising

Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers (file photo)

A new report from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education says the state is continuing to see more students earning post-secondary degrees and graduating on time. The 2017 College Completion Report shows Indiana’s on-time graduation rates have risen by more than 11 percent over the past five years.

The report shows Indiana’s four-year campuses have seen a 10 percent improvement in on-time graduation rates, while two-year campuses have improved by about 6 percent. The commission says Indiana University East, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ball State University, the University of Southern Indiana and IU Kokomo saw the biggest improvements among Hoosier institutions.

"We’re encouraged that recent state policy reforms combined with the ongoing efforts of our campuses are having a clear impact in helping more students complete college,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “These are stubborn numbers to move, but we must accelerate our rate of improvement to close the achievement gap and meet Indiana’s goal of 60% of Hoosiers completing education beyond high school by 2025."

The commission says while the completion gap for minority students is closing, the rate of improvement must increase in order for the state to meet its goal of closing the gap entirely by 2025. The report shows minority students and those involved in the 21st Century Scholars program have seen the most improvement in on-time graduation.

You can read the full 2017 College Completion report below: