Office of Institutional Effectiveness Update

Outpacing our predicted graduation rate

Annually, the US News and World Report calculates the rate at which an institution’s undergraduate students will complete a degree within 6-years. This predicted graduation rate is determined using historical data, including admissions data, the proportion of undergraduates awarded Pell Grants, and the institution’s financial resources. In their 2018 Best Colleges ranking, Dominican was given a predicted graduation rate of 54% - yet our actual 6-year graduation rate was 62% for an 8-point gain between the predicted and actual rate.

This 8-point gain is most significant when we consider the relative gains made by our peer, competitor and aspirant institutions. Peer and aspirant institutions noted only a 4-point gain, and our Chicago competitor institutions noted a 1-point gap. What is particularly striking about this achievement is that DU is the only institution with a predicted rate below 60% among all 47 schools in the top 12 Best Colleges 4 regions across the country and we still ranked #11 overall in the Midwest region. Furthermore, Dominican University Pell-eligible students graduate at rates significantly higher (62%) than low-income, Pell-eligible students across the nation (43%).

For more information about national and regional trends in changing college enrollments and graduation rates, view our presentation setting the context for our newly-approved strategic plan.

Graduating Student Survey Results

Prior to graduation, students are sent a survey asking them to rate various aspects of their experience at Dominican University.  Students are asked to provide their level of satisfaction with their academic program, various services, and student life. They are also asked questions concerning their future plans for employment and subsequent education. For an overview of the key findings from the most recent Graduating Student Survey, take a look at our presentation that summarizes the results.

Higher Learning Commission 4-Year Assurance Review Coming to a Close

For the past three years, five teams of faculty and staff have been working on Dominican's 2019 Assurance Review that is a requirement for continued accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. The final touches are being put on the report, which must be submitted by June 24, 2019. A peer review team will then have 3-4 weeks to complete their evaluation of our report and will make their recommendations to the Commission about re-affirmation of accreditation.  For more details about the status of the report and the remaining steps in the process, view our presentation on this project.