The institution evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its mission. The following criteria are used to determine student success.
- Student Loan Default Rate
- Course Success Rate
- Passage of Professional Licensing Exams
- Job/Coninuing Education Placement Rates
- Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate
Student Loan Default Rate
Goal: The Student Loan Default Rate goal established by the University is Perkins Loan 9.68%, Stafford Loan 4.68%, and Nursing 0.10%.
Course Success Rate
Passage of Professional Licensing Exams
School of Nursing
Goal: Of graduating generic students, 95% of each class will pass NCLEX-RN within 12 months following graduation.
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
Number | 60/66 | 62/73 | 53/61 | 84/89 | 95/103 | 156/162 | 81/88 |
Percentage | 91% | 85% | 87% | 94% | 92% | 96% | 92% |
Yearly percentages are based on passes within the six-month period allowed by accreditation agencies.
School of Education
Teacher Education & Leadership
Mississippi Teacher Licensure Area: Elementary Education
From 2012-2019, 95-100% of candidates have been eligible for state licensure based on Praxis II Elementary Education (K-6) exams, exceeding the state and national accreditation requirement of 80%.
Goal: Of graduating Elementary Education students, 90% of each class will pass the 5017 Content Knowledge Praxis II exam.
2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020* | 2020-2021 | |
Number | 28 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 15* | 4 |
Percentage | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100%* | 75% |
*Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) implemented a testing waiver for all educator licensure testing beginning in Spring 2020 through December 31, 2021. Candidate test data for 2019-2020 only reflexts those students who registered for the specific licensure exam prior to the MDE testing waiver.
Mississippi Teaching Licensure: Secondary Education
From 2012-2019, 92-100% of candidates have been eligible for state licensure based on Praxis II Content area exams.
Goal: Of graduating Secondary Education students, 90% of each class will pass the Praxis II exam.
Area | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 |
Art | 1 | 4 | 1 | NA | 3 | N/A* | 5 |
Biology | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1* | 4 |
English | 3 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 5 | N/A* | 2 |
Kinesiology | 3 | 6 | 1 | NA | 2 | N/A* | 2 |
Math | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3* | 0 |
Music | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 9* | 1 |
Social Studies | 3 | 4 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2* | 2 |
*2020 - 2021 Results: 84% of secondary students passed Praxis II exam.*
*Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) implemented a testing waiver for all educator licensure testing beginning in Spring 2020 through December 21, 2021. Candidate test data for 2019-2020 only reflects those students who reigstered for the specific licensure exam prior to the MDE testing waiver.
The School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) results for Mississippi College
Mississippi State Department of Education Standard: 80% (3-year average)
Goal: Of graduating graduate students studying educational leadership in the licensure track, at least 80% will pass the SLLA exam.
2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020* | 2020-2021 | |
Number | 15 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 20 | 32 | 24* | 3 |
Percentage | 83% | 83% | 95% | 72% | 71% | 84% | 88%* | 100% |
*Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) implemented a testing waiver for all educator licensure testing beginning in Spring 2020 through December 21, 2021. Candidate test data for 2019-2020 only reflects those students who reigstered for the specific licensure exam prior to the MDE testing waiver.
School Counseling Graduate Program
Praxis Passage Rate (exam not given prior to 2008)
Goal: Of graduating counseling education graduate students, 90% of each class will pass the Praxis II Content area exam.
2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | |
Number | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 4 |
Percentage | 73% | 75% | 71% | 90% | 91% | 100% | 100% |
Counseling Graduate Programs
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)
Goal: Of the graduating students taking the CPCE exam within the past 12 months test cycle, exam participants will pass the NBCC exam with a 50% or better.
2014 | 2015 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Number | 29 | 30 | 32 | 17 | 11 | 15 |
Percentage | 72% | 36% | 25% | 88% | 91% | 100% |
School of Law
Bar Passage
Goal: In 2019 the ABA revised Standard 316 regarding bar passage. The new standard, first effective for students graduating in 2017, requires that 75% of law school graduates who sit for the bar exam pass within two years.
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Takers | 106 | 107 | 102 | 98 | 50 |
Passing w/in 2 years | 72.64% | 73.8% | 78.43% | 79.25% | 73.5% |
*±«ÓătvLaw is in bar exam compliance for 2019 and 2020 graduates. The compliance period for graduates from the Class of 2021 ends with the February 2023 administration of the bar exam.
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Social Work Undergraduate Program
Social Work Licensure Exam
Goal: The graduating social work students will score at the national average and above the state average. 75% of the graduating class in Social Work who take the Mississippi Board of Examiners License Exam will pass.
2014- 2015 |
2015- 2016 |
2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | |
Number | 13 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 19 | 14 | 17 |
Percentage | 67% | 81.3% | 84.6% | 77.7% | 63.2% | 85.7% | 82% |
The national 2020-2021 average pass rate is 68.5% and the average pass rate for Mississippi is 38.5%.
Writing Proficiency Exam
Goal: 80% of undergraduate ±«Óătvstudents will pass the WPE exam on their first attempt.
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Number | 942 | 903 | 911 | 849 | 727 | 704 | 607 |
Percentage | 82% | 80% | 84% | 86% | 91% | 89% | 87% |
This percentage represents only ±«Óătvstudents and not transfer student's passage rates among first-time takers.
WorkKeys Computer Exam: 2018 to present
ACT/CAAP Writing Skills Test: 2015 - 2017
School of Science & Mathematics
Physician Assistant (PA) National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Passage Rates
Goal: Prepare physician assistant students to achieve a first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) at or above the national average.
Class of 2017 | Class of 2018 | Class of 2019 | Class of 2020 | |
±«ÓătvPA Number | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 |
±«ÓătvPA % | 97% | 93% | 85% | 97% |
National % | 95% | 97% | 93% | 95% |
Job/Continuing Education Placement Rates
Goal: The goal for percent of students with post-graduation plans established by the
University is 83.4%.
Law Job and Clerkship Rates
Goal: The ±«ÓătvLaw job placement rate goal established by the University is 83%. The ±«ÓătvLaw judicial clerkship placement rate goal established by the University is 6.
Retention Rate
The Retention Rate goal established by the University is 85%.
Fall-to-Fall | Retention Rate |
2019 - 2020 | 76% |
2018-2019 | 76% |
2017-2018 | 80% |
2016-2017 | 76% |
2015-2016 | 80% |
2014-2015 | 79% |
2013-2014 | 72% |
2012-2013 | 69% |
2011-2012 | 74% |
2010-2011 | 76% |
2009-2010 | 69% |
2008-2009 | 67% |
Graduation Rate
The Graduation Rate goal established by the University is 66%.
6-Year Period | Graduation Rate |
Fall 2015 - Aug 2021 | 63% |
Fall 2014 - Aug 2020 | 65% |
Fall 2013 - Aug 2019 | 57% |
Fall 2011 - Aug 2017 | 59% |
Fall 2010 - Aug 2016 | 59% |
Fall 2009 - Aug 2015 | 54% |
Fall 2008 - Aug 2014 | 54% |
Fall 2007 - Aug 2013 | 53% |
Fall 2006 - Aug 2012 | 62% |
Fall 2005 - Aug 2011 | 51% |
Fall 2004 - Aug 2010 | 55% |