2010 average completion rate for public institutions near 25-year low

New trend data released by ACT indicates that public two- and four-year institutions are struggling with record- and near-record-low completion rates.

While both two- and four-year private institutions are managing completion rates of over 50 percent, their public counterparts are struggling to meet 40 percent for BA/BS programs and 30 percent for two-year programs.

Both types of public institutions are more than 10 points behind their highest marks over the past 25-plus years, which haven’t been seen since before 1990. With four-year institutions’ completion rate at 39.6 percent and two-years at 28.0 percent, it is clear that public institutions must do more to achieve student retention success and assist students in completing their degree programs.

Data used with permission from ACT. Download the latest report from their Web site.