Retention and Persistence at USF

The work of retention and persistence at USF rests firmly on the shoulders of all university community members. Together we can ensure that students get the support they need at USF as well as create conditions that encourage the retention, persistence, and graduation of all students at USF. 

Our goal, as we build this page, is to build this together. We are excited to learn what is working for departments, programs, schools, and organizations on campus.

Retention and persistence is defined as remaining and re-enrolling at USF. How we measure this: retention and persistence, exit interview, faculty early alerts, New Student Success Survey. 

Attaining educational outcomes is defined as  entering students persisting to attainment of their degree, program, educational goals. How we measure this: time to completion, graduation rates, exit interview, faculty early alerts, New Student Success Survey

Academic achievement is defined as students achieving satisfactory of superior levels of academic performance. How we measure this: graduation rates, assessment data both program and core curriculum, Core Competency data

Student advancement is defined as students proceeding to and doing well at subsequent educational and occupational endeavors. How we measure this: alumni survey, College Scorecard data

Metrics for Fall 2019 through Fall 2022:

  • Based on what we know so far about the cohort of first-year students that matriculated in fall 2018: achieve a rising sophomore retention rate of at least 83%. 

  • Based on what we know so far about the cohort of first-year students that matriculated in fall 2015: achieve a four-year graduation rate of at least 63%.

  • Based on what we know so far about the cohort of first-year students that matriculated in fall 2013: achieve a six-year graduation rate of at least 75%.

Metrics for Fall 2023 and beyond:

  • Achieve a rising sophomore retention rate of at least 87%. 

  • Achieve a four-year graduation rate of at least 67%.

  • Achieve a six-year graduation rate of at least 72%.