Student Achievement
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its dual mission, the MGA Strategic Plan, the programs that it offers, and the goals and strategies of Complete College Georgia.
Specifically, Middle Georgia State University evaluates its success with student achievement using the following metrics and benchmarks:
Retention
MGA tracks the fall-to-fall retention of all first-time, full-time students. As a member of the University System of Georgia (USG) in the state university sector, MGA uses USG definitions of retention and compares itself to its statewide peers.
The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average retention rate of all first-time, full-time students at USG state colleges, with the target goal to exceed the average retention rate of all first-time, full-time students at USG state colleges.
First-Year Undergraduate Retention Rate
First-Time Full-Time Freshman One-Year Retention Rates (All Degrees)
Cohort Semester |
Retention Semester |
Cohort Size |
Students Retained |
State College |
MGA Performance |
Fall 2022 |
Fall 2023 |
1094 |
667 |
60.0% |
61.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2021 |
Fall 2022 |
868 |
530 |
59.2% |
61.1% ⇑ |
Fall 2020 |
Fall 2021 |
1,158 |
648 |
56.5% |
56.0% ⇓ |
Fall 2019 |
Fall 2020 |
1,314 |
783 |
60.6% |
59.6% ⇓ |
Fall 2018 |
Fall 2019 |
1,358 |
748 |
59.0% |
55.1% ⇓ |
Fall 2017 |
Fall 2018 |
1,086 |
665 |
57.3% |
61.2% ⇑ |
Fall 2016 |
Fall 2017 |
1,230 |
753 |
60.0% |
61.2% ⇑ |
Fall 2015 |
Fall 2016 |
1,435 |
890 |
61.5% |
62.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2014 |
Fall 2015 |
1,218 |
775 |
61.5% |
63.6% ⇑ |
Degrees Conferred
MGA tracks the number of degrees conferred in associate, baccalaureate, certificate, and graduate programs as metrics of increasing levels of student educational attainment.
The threshold of acceptability is for all degree levels* is to meet the prior 3-year average of degrees conferred with the target goal to exceed the prior year average number of degrees conferred.
(*Note Post consolidation efforts focus on expanding baccalaureate and graduate programs)
Fiscal Year |
Certificates |
Associates |
Bachelors |
Advanced Cert |
Masters |
Doctorate |
3 Year Average (FY21-23) |
49 |
248 |
984 |
10 |
175 |
- |
Fiscal Year |
Certificates |
Associates |
Bachelors |
Advanced Cert |
Masters |
Doctorate |
FY 2024 |
46 ⇓ |
193 ⇓ |
992 ⇑ |
47 ⇑ |
195 ⇑ |
21 ⇑ |
FY 2023 |
51 |
203 |
986 |
10 |
185 |
28 |
FY 2022 |
52 |
265 |
1,038 |
15 |
205 |
- |
FY 2021 |
46 |
277 |
930 |
4 |
134 |
- |
FY 2020 |
39 |
255 |
909 |
3 |
123 |
- |
FY 2019 |
47 |
421 |
775 |
2 |
88 |
- |
FY 2018 |
28 |
465 |
743 |
- |
53 |
- |
FY 2017 |
42 |
331 |
675 |
- |
11 |
- |
FY 2016 |
21 |
376 |
631 |
- |
- |
- |
FY 2015 |
16 |
475 |
670 |
- |
- |
- |
*Fiscal Year to Date
Experiential Learning / High Impact Practice
Experiential Learning graduation distinction can only be applied to Associate and Bachelor programs therefore, the metrics below only include those degree levels.
Average Graduating GPA
The threshold of acceptability is to exceed the GPA of those without an Experiential Learning (EL) distinction.
Fiscal Year | EL Distinction GPA | Non-EL Distinction GPA |
FY 2023 | 3.28 ⇑ | 3.19 |
FY 2022 | 3.28 ⇑ | 3.17 |
FY 2021 | 3.27 ⇑ | 3.18 |
FY 2020 | 3.25 ⇑ | 3.15 |
FY 2019 | 3.26 ⇑ | 3.15 |
FY 2018 | 3.24 ⇑ | 3.11 |
Experiential Learning Degrees Awarded
The threshold of acceptability is to award 40% of Associate and Baccalaureate degrees with Experiential Learning distinctions each fiscal year.
Fiscal Year | EL Distinction | Non-EL Distinction | % of Degrees with EL Distinction |
FY 2023 | 512 | 662 | 43.6 ⇑ |
FY 2022 | 640 | 663 | 49.1% ⇑ |
FY 2021 | 580 | 627 | 48.1% ⇑ |
FY 2020 | 560 | 606 | 48.0% ⇑ |
FY 2019 | 460 | 633 | 46.9% ⇑ |
FY 2018 | 546 | 661 | 45.2% ⇑ |
Graduate Graduation Rates
The threshold of acceptability for the 2-year graduation rate is 65% and 75% for the 3-year graduation rate with a target goal to exceed the prior year's rate.
Year |
New Summer/Fall Students |
Graduated Within 2 Years |
2-Year Grad Rate |
Graduated Within 3 Years |
3-Year Grad Rate |
2020 | 208 | 122 | 50.7 % ⇓ | 137 | 65.9% ⇓ |
2019 | 138 | 103 | 74.6% ⇑ | 110 | 79.7% ⇑ |
2018 | 109 | 86 | 78.9% ⇑ | 93 | 85.3% ⇑ |
2017 | 71 | 51 | 71.8% ⇑ | 56 | 78.9% ⇑ |
2016 | 27 | 18 | 66.7% ⇑ | 20 | 74.1% ⇓ |
undergraduate Graduation Rates
MGA tracks the six-year graduation rates of all first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students. As a member of the University System of Georgia (USG) in the state university sector, MGA uses USG definitions of graduation rates and compares itself to its statewide peers.
The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average graduation rate of all first time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of USG state colleges, with the target goal to exceed the average graduation rate of all first time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of USG state colleges
6-Year Baccalaureate Graduation Rates
All first-time full-time bachelor degree-seeking students.
Cohort Semester |
Graduation Year |
Cohort Size |
Students Graduated |
State College Rate |
State University Rate |
MGA Performance |
Fall 2017 |
2022-23 |
740 |
194 |
22.6% |
43.0% |
26.2% ⇑ |
Fall 2016 |
2021-22 |
701 |
193 |
21.8% |
46.3% |
27.5% ⇑ |
Fall 2015 |
2020-21 |
679 |
177 |
23.6% |
41.8% |
26.1% ⇑ |
Fall 2014 |
2019-20 |
447 |
125 |
21.1% |
43.4% |
28.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2013 |
2018-19 |
371 |
100 |
22.8% |
43.6% |
27.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2012 |
2017-18 |
354 |
97 |
18.7% |
41.3% |
27.4% ⇑ |
8-Year Baccalaureate Graduation Rates
All first-time full-time bachelor degree-seeking students.
For SACSCOC, Middle Georgia State University identified the new IPEDS 8-year Baccalaureate graduation rate as its key student completion indicator. This criterion also provides key insights into the effectiveness of MGA programming.
The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average graduation rate of all first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of USG state colleges, with the target goal to exceed the average graduation rate of all first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking students of our identified SACSCOC peer institutions.* (USG Data and IPEDS DFR)
Cohort Semester |
Graduation Year |
Cohort Size |
Students Graduated |
State College Rate |
SACS Peer Rates* |
MGA Performance |
Fall 2015 |
2022-23 |
679 |
194 |
27.3% |
NA |
28.6% ⇑ |
Fall 2014 |
2021-22 |
447 |
143 |
24.7% |
40.7% |
32.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2013 |
2020-21 |
371 |
115 |
26.6% |
31.9% |
31.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2012 |
2019-20 |
354 |
116 |
22.7% |
33.8% |
32.8% ⇑ |
Fall 2011 |
2018-19 |
285 |
83 |
20.2% |
38.5% |
29.1% ⇑ |
Fall 2010 |
2017-18 |
183 |
65 |
22.8% |
35.2% |
35.5% ⇑ |
Course Success Rates
The threshold of acceptability is a 70% course success rate for all courses, with a target goal set at 75%.
Semester |
Courses Attempted |
Courses Successful |
Success Rate |
Fall 2022 |
25,889 |
20,563 |
79.43% ⇑ |
Fall 2021 |
26,465 |
20,692 |
78.19% ⇑ |
Fall 2020 |
28,830 |
22,259 |
77.21% ⇑ |
Fall 2019 |
27,609 |
21,920 |
79.39% ⇑ |
Fall 2018 |
27,025 |
20,512 |
75.90% ⇑ |
Fall 2017 |
25,431 |
20,263 |
79.68% ⇑ |
Fall 2016 |
26,776 |
20,700 |
77.31% ⇑ |
Fall 2015 |
26,803 |
20,925 |
78.07% ⇑ |
Fall 2014 |
27,232 |
21,385 |
78.53% ⇑ |
LS Success Rates
The threshold of acceptability is a 50% course success rate for all LS courses, with a target goal set at 55%
Term |
ENGL 1101 |
||
Attempted |
Success |
Success Rate |
|
Fall 2020 |
233 |
140 |
60% ⇑ |
Fall 2021 |
242 |
138 |
57.0% ⇑ |
Fall 2020 |
297 |
117 |
39.4% ⇓ |
Fall 2019 |
140 |
82 |
58.6% ⇑ |
Fall 2018 |
91 |
30 |
33.0% ⇓ |
Fall 2017 |
67 |
44 |
65.7% ⇑ |
Term
|
MATH 1101 |
MATH 1001 |
MATH 1111 |
||||||
Attempted |
Success |
Success Rate |
Attempted |
Success |
Success Rate |
Attempted |
Success |
Success Rate |
|
Fall 2022 |
- |
- |
- |
369 |
255 |
60.9% ⇑ |
88 |
41 |
46.6% ⇓ |
Fall 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
314 |
153 |
48.7% ⇓ |
30 |
8 |
26.7% ⇓ |
Fall 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
340 |
139 |
40.9% ⇓ |
34 |
9 |
26.5% ⇓ |
Fall 2019 |
318 |
128 |
40.3% ⇓ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Fall 2018 |
340 |
145 |
42.6% ⇓ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Fall 2017 |
113 |
55 |
48.7% ⇓ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
External Examinations in Professional Fields
MGA monitors students' performance on external examinations that are required for graduation and that lead to professional licensure or certification.
Educator Certification
The threshold of acceptability is to meet the average state pass rates with a target goal to exceed.
Year |
Number Taking |
Number Passing |
Pass Rate (%) MGA |
Pass Rate (%) Statewide |
2022-2023 |
45 |
45 |
100 ⇑ |
98 |
2021-2022 |
45 |
45 |
100 ⇑ |
99 |
2020-2021 |
62 |
61 |
98 ⇑ |
99 |
2019-2020 |
52 |
51 |
98 ⇑ |
98 |
2018-2019 |
41 |
39 |
95 ⇓ |
99 |
2017-2018 |
47 |
47 |
100 ⇑ |
98 |
2016-2017 |
36 |
36 |
100 ⇑ |
99 |
2015-2016 |
42 |
42 |
100 ⇑ |
100 |
2014-2015 |
77 |
77 |
100 ⇑ |
99 |
2013-2014 |
65 |
63 |
97 ⇓ |
99 |
Respiratory Therapy
The threshold of acceptability is to meet or exceed CoARC mandated thresholds, which are listed above and on the interactive map, and https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/ with the goal to exceed. The metrics listed are the most recent three-year averages against CoARC standards. No threshold is currently set for RRT success.
Year |
TMC High Cut Threshold |
TMC National Avg |
TMC High Cut MGA |
RRT Success National Avg |
RRT Success MGA |
2023 |
60% |
85% |
98% ⇑ |
76% |
95% |
2022 |
60% |
83% |
94% ⇓ |
72% |
91% |
2021 |
60% |
85% |
98% ⇑ |
76% |
95% |
2020 |
60% |
87% |
98% ⇑ |
78% |
96% |
Nursing
The threshold of acceptability is the Georgia Board of Nursing requirement of 80% for first-time takers within in a 12-month period for the pre-licensure BSN and ASN NCLEX pass rate.
* Data is reported for the undergraduate pre-licensure NCLEX and the graduate certification. Note: GBON does not regulate certification pass rates. The DON uses the threshold as defined by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) beginning in 2023 with a goal of 80% of first-time takers including repeaters within a 12-month period.
NCLEX RN Pass Rate (Bachelor’s Degree) |
|||||
Examination |
Number Tested |
Number Passed |
MGA Pass Rate |
State Average |
National Average Pass Rate |
2023 |
121 |
118 |
97.52% ⇑ |
89.88% |
90.18% |
2022 |
132 |
123 |
93.18% ⇑ |
82.75% |
82.32% |
2021 |
145 |
118 |
81.38% ⇑ |
86.33% |
86.1% |
2020 |
167 |
140 |
83.83% ⇑ |
89.9% |
90.3% |
2019 |
142 |
127 |
89.44% ⇑ |
91.1% |
91.2% |
2018 |
111 |
102 |
91.89% ⇑ |
90.5% |
91.6% |
2017 |
93 |
82 |
88.17% ⇑ |
90.5% |
90.0% |
2016 |
72 |
66 |
91.67% ⇑ |
83.7% |
87.8% |
2015 |
79 |
73 |
92.41% ⇑ |
92.4% |
82.8% |
2014 |
47 |
45 |
95.74% ⇑ |
95.7% |
85.6% |
2013 |
49 |
35 |
71.43% ⇓ |
71.4% |
86.0% |
NCLEX RN Pass Rate (Associate’s Degree) |
|||||
Examination |
Number Tested |
Number Passed |
MGA Pass Rate |
State Average |
National Average Pass Rate |
2023 |
51 |
48 |
94.12% ⇑ |
91.44% |
87.76% |
2022 |
84 |
73 |
86.90% ⇑ |
82.21% |
77.91% |
2021 |
57 |
54 |
94.7% ⇑ |
85.24% |
78.8% |
2020 |
73 |
64 |
87.7% ⇑ |
86.5% |
82.8% |
2019 |
58 |
55 |
94.83% ⇑ |
90.3% |
85.1% |
2018 |
43 |
40 |
93.02% ⇑ |
87.4% |
85.1% |
2017 |
40 |
38 |
95.00% ⇑ |
90.4% |
84.2% |
2016 |
41 |
37 |
90.24% ⇑ |
87.5% |
81.7% |
2015 |
83 |
74 |
89.16% ⇑ |
89.2% |
89.6% |
2014 |
77 |
73 |
94.81% ⇑ |
94.8% |
84.8% |
2013 |
99 |
83 |
83.83% ⇑ |
84.6% |
84.5% |
Certification Pass Rate (Master’s Degree) |
||||
Examination |
Number Tested |
Number Passed |
MGA Pass Rate |
National Average Pass Rate |
2023 |
14 |
14 |
100% ⇑ |
AACN - 91% |
2022 |
22 |
18 |
81.8% ⇓ |
AACN – 83% |
2021 |
17 |
16 |
94.1% ⇓ |
AACN – 83% |
2020 |
24 |
24 |
100% ⇑ |
AACN – 86% |
2019 |
15 |
14 |
93.3% ⇑ |
AACN – 81% |
2018 |
5 |
5 |
100% ⇑ |
AACN – No data |
2017 |
12 |
12 |
100% ⇑ |
AACN – no data |
Note: MGC and MSC combined data for 2010 – 2013.
Source: MGA Nursing Department
Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification Exam
Year |
MGA Pass Rate |
2023 |
88% ⇑ |
2022 |
95% ⇑ |
2021 |
100% ⇑ |
2020 |
* |
2019 |
95% ⇑ |
2018 |
92% ⇑ |
2017 |
96% ⇑ |
2016 |
88% ⇑ |
2015 |
91% ⇑ |
2014 |
89% ⇑ |
2013 |
100% ⇑ |
The threshold of acceptability is to meet the exam’s national average pass rate with a goal of 80%.
Data about student achievement on the Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification Exam can also be found directly on the NBCOT website . *2020 graduates were unable to test in 2020 due to the pandemic.
sACSCOC Selected Peer Institutions
USG State Universities: Clayton State University, Savannah State University
USG State Colleges: Dalton State College, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia Gwinnett College
Non-USG Institutions: The University of West Alabama, University of North Alabama, College of Central Florida, Gulf Coast State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Northwest Florida State College, Pensacola State College, St. Johns River State College, The University of Tampa, Georgia Military College
Disclosure:
*This data is provided as part of the disclosure requirements found in the Policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that institutions publish "statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals.”
*It also meets several expectations of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008
*All operational definitions of student achievement are reviewed and updated annually, along with all associated data points