Student Achievement & Success Data
To help fulfill the mission of the institution, Fayetteville State University (FSU) evaluates success with respect to student achievement.
WHY?
Evaluation of student success enables the institution to better assess the university's curriculum and its quality at every level.
How?
The institution uses multiple measures to document student success at programmatic and institutional levels through a comprehensive system of planning and evaluation.
Fayetteville State University engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes that focus on institutional quality and effectiveness and incorporates a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with the institutional mission.
Outcomes Assessment Reports (OPARs)
At the programmatic level, all academic programs engage in an annual outcomes-based assessment process and produce annual Outcomes Assessment Reports (OPARs) that focus on student achievement in relation to identified program level student learning outcomes. The outcomes assessment process evaluates student learning at all academic degree levels.
Comprehensive Program Reviews
In addition to participating in annual cycles of student learning outcomes assessment, all academic programs conduct comprehensive program reviews every five years. Comprehensive program reviews evaluate program effectiveness, student achievement, and factors impacting student achievement. The data generated through this comprehensive process are utilized at the School/Division/Department levels for programmatic improvement and at the institutional level by informing the Strategic Planning Process.
The University uses the following data to measure student success and achievement:
- National Student Clearinghouse Graduation Rates
- IPEDS Graduation Rates
- IPEDS Student Retention Rates
- Course Completion Rates
- DFW Rates
- Student Performance on State Licensure Examinations
- Career Outcomes Rates
- Expected Institutional Goals for Student Achievement
- Enrollment Data
- Retention Data
- Graduation Rates
- Degree Completion
- State Licensing Exam Pass Rates
In addition, FSU measures progress on the following Core Strategic Metrics:
- Undergraduate degree efficiency
- First-time student debt at graduation
- Transfer student debt at graduation
- Education related expenses per degree
- Military-affiliated enrollment (25%)
Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public comprehensive, Historically Black University, that offers robust and innovative degree programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition. The university advances knowledge through the integration of teaching, learning, research, and public service. FSU strives to meet the educational, career, and personal aspirations of its students from rural, military, and other diverse backgrounds so that they are equipped with academic and practical knowledge to serve local, state, national, and global communities as enlightened citizens, globally astute leaders, and engaged solution creators.
Alignment with Mission Statement:
FSU evaluates student achievement in the areas of enrollment, retention and graduation rates, licensing examinations, and job placement rates. The importance of retention and graduation rates is evidenced by their top priority in the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. Priority 1 of the FSU Strategic Plan, “Elevate Academic Excellence and Student Success,” focuses on enrollment, retention, and graduation Rates. It notes that “We will offer high-quality, affordable programs that equip FSU’s diverse student populations with the necessary knowledge and skills to compete on a global level.” This is consistent with FSU’s mission “to meet the educational, career and personal aspirations of its traditional and non-traditional students from rural, military and other diverse backgrounds so that they are equipped with academic and practical knowledge to serve local, state, national and global communities as enlightened citizens, globally astute leaders and engaged solution creators.”
Priority 1: Goal 1 of the FSU Strategic Plan is to implement ambitious strategies to attract and grow targeted populations of students. Specifically, Goal 1 is designed to increase total enrollment to 8,000 (Goal 1.1.1), maintain incoming full-time, first-time freshmen students to a total of 725 (Goal 1.1.2), and increase military-affiliated enrollment to 3,000 (Goal 1.1.3).
Priority 1: Goal 2 of the FSU Strategic Plan is to increase full-time, first-freshman retention rates to 75%. FSU will use data-driven strategies for advisement and student services to support retention goals.
Priority 1: Goal 3 of the FSU Strategic Plan focuses on degree completion and improvement of degree efficiency rates. Specifically, Goal 3 seeks to increase the 4-year graduation rate to 40% (Goal 1.3.1) and increase the undergraduate degree efficiency rate to 25 per 100 students (Goal 1.3.2).
Priority 2 of the FSU Strategic Plan is to enhance student engagement and career development by integrating robust co-curricular student learning experiences that prepare students for 21st century careers. The University will infuse high-impact practices and professional skills into curricular and co-curricular activities. 70% of students will indicate experiencing high-impact practices in curricular and co-curricular activities (Goal 2.1.1). In addition, 70% of students will indicate exposure to professional skills development (Goal 2.1.2).
FSU assesses student outcomes in job placement rates and state licensing exam pass rates (i.e., NCLEX, Praxis, etc.). The Graduating Senior Survey and reports of exam outcomes are used to track performance. [Include recent graduate placement data (including jobs and graduate education) and licensing exam pass rates.] What are the targets for growth (15%, etc.)?
In collaboration with the UNC system, FSU has identified five metrics which are top priorities for FSU. Those priorities are rural enrollments, Pell-eligible completions, rural completions, five-year graduation rates, and undergraduate degree efficiency. In addition, FSU identified three areas for improvement, Pell-eligible enrollments, critical workforces and achievements gaps in undergraduate degree efficiency.
Enrollment Data
The Offices of Institutional Research & Effectiveness collect and publish FSU’s data on student achievement on the office’s website, as well as to the UNC System dashboards. Data show that FSU has had a steady increase in the total enrollment between 2020 and 2025. In Fall 2025 FSU had a total of 7,607 students enrolled and in Fall 2020 that number was 6,726.
The University tracks and publishes enrollment data for the FSU System Strategic Plan Metrics for undergraduate adult learners. Data show that enrollment among undergraduate adult learners increased from 2,211 in Fall 2020 to 2,564 in Fall 2025.
Enrollment
| Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | Fall 2024 | Fall 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | 6726 | 6748 | 6787 | 6847 | 7107 | 7607 |
| First-time Freshmen | 736 | 632 | 786 | 807 | 797 | 805 |
| Transfer | 845 | 778 | 1020 | 924 | 1001 | 1135 |
| Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | Fall 2024 | Fall 2025 | |
| UG & GR Total Enrollment | 6726 | 6748 | 6787 | 6847 | 7107 | 7607 |
| UG Enrollment | 5661 | 5557 | 5748 | 5845 | 6075 | 6542 |
| GR Enrollment | 1065 | 1191 | 1039 | 1002 | 1032 | 1065 |
In addition to total, freshmen, and transfer enrollment data, FSU reports data comparing targets verses actual enrollment for undergraduates, graduate students, and total students.
Rural and Pell-eligible Enrollment
| Rural Status | Fall 2019 Census | Fall 2020 Census | Fall 2021 Census | Fall 2022 Census | Fall 2023 Census | Fall 2024 Census | Fall 2025 Census |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | |||||||
| More Affluent (Non-Rural) | 211 | 237 | 267 | 202 | 216 | 231 | 215 |
| Outside NC | 62 | 81 | 90 | 74 | 64 | 71 | 74 |
| Underserved (Rural) | 634 | 747 | 834 | 763 | 722 | 730 | 776 |
| Graduate Total | 907 | 1065 | 1191 | 1039 | 1002 | 1032 | 1065 |
| Undergraduate | |||||||
| More Affluent (Non-Rural) | 768 | 849 | 860 | 821 | 883 | 905 | 999 |
| Outside NC | 220 | 245 | 261 | 409 | 495 | 629 | 806 |
| Underserved (Rural) | 4656 | 4567 | 4436 | 4518 | 4467 | 4541 | 4737 |
| Undergraduate Total | 5644 | 5661 | 5557 | 5748 | 5845 | 6075 | 6542 |
| Grand Total | 6551 | 6726 | 6748 | 6787 | 6847 | 7107 | 7607 |
The University tracks and publishes enrollment data for the FSU Strategic Enrollment Management Plan to increase enrolment of a diverse student population, including first-time freshmen, new graduates, military-affiliated, new transfer, adult learners, rural, and Pell-eligible students.
First-Time Freshmen One-Year Retention Data
| FFR Cohort | Fall-to-Fall Retention |
|---|---|
| Fall 2016 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 77.8 |
| Fall 2017 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 68.7 |
| Fall 2018 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 73.8 |
| Fall 2019 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 66 |
| Fall 2020 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 63.3 |
| Fall 2021 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 69.7 |
| Fall 2022 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 77.7 |
| Fall 2023 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 75.3 |
| Fall 2024 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 78.2 |
Retention rates for First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen decreased from 77.8% in Fall 2016 and rose over time to return to 78.2% in Fall 2024. Strategies implemented to increase retention include assigning a pre-major to all incoming freshmen; establishing a faculty-based Freshmen Fellows program; minimizing non-academic obstacles to completion; increasing the use of adaptive and other digital learning technologies; and providing emergency financial assistance. A multi-year Career Pathways Initiative, funded by the United Negro College Fund, guides students in clarifying their career and life goals and developing plans to achieve them. The Office of Student Engagement supports increased retention by offering programs that increase residential student engagement in campus life.
Peer Institutions’ Retention Rates
| Peer Institutions | Fall 2019 | Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | Five-Year Average Retention Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | 80% | 74% | 75% | 81% | 79% | 78% |
| Albany State University | 62% | 61% | 74% | 65% | 68% | 66% |
| California State University – Channel Islands | 78% | 77% | 83% | 82% | 75% | 79% |
| California State University, East Bay | 76% | 76% | 78% | 80% | 75% | 77% |
| Clayton State University | 71% | 71% | 69% | 65% | 60% | 67% |
| East Texas A&M University (Texas A&M University-Commerce) | 66% | 63% | 58% | 60% | 65% | 62% |
| Grambling State University | 74% | 77% | 69% | 72% | 76% | 74% |
| Norfolk State University | 74% | 68% | 66% | 70% | 71% | 70% |
| Northeastern Illinois University | 49% | 59% | 67% | 61% | 63% | 60% |
| Prairie View A&M University | 66% | 74% | 75% | 73% | 74% | 72% |
| Southern University at New Orleans | 48% | 52% | 42% | 32% | 46% | 44% |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 72% | 74% | 63% | 59% | 65% | 67% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | 77% | 74% | 67% | 73% | ||
| Western New Mexico University | 64% | 59% | 64% | 71% | 62% | 64% |
Peer Institution Overall Five-Year Average Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rates
First-Time Freshmen Four-Year and Five-Year Graduation Rates
| FFR Cohort | Four-Year Graduation Rate | Five Year Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2011 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 17.2 | 28.9 |
| Fall 2012 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 15.7 | 31.3 |
| Fall 2013 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 15.7 | 30.5 |
| Fall 2014 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 23.1 | 33.8 |
| Fall 2015 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 22.8 | 34.1 |
| Fall 2016 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 27.5 | 39.2 |
| Fall 2017 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 20.7 | 30.4 |
| Fall 2018 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 23.7 | 34.4 |
| Fall 2019 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 19.7 | 32.7 |
| Fall 2020 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 17.1 | 26.2 |
| Fall 2021 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 22.4 |
First-Time Freshmen Six-Year Graduation Rate
| FFR Cohort | Six-Year Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Fall 2011 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 32.9 |
| Fall 2012 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 35.5 |
| Fall 2013 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 34.7 |
| Fall 2014 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 36.3 |
| Fall 2015 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 37.5 |
| Fall 2016 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 43.8 |
| Fall 2017 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 35.2 |
| Fall 2018 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 38.8 |
| Fall 2019 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | 36.9 |
Graduation Data for First-Time Full-Time Freshmen was reported by cohort year of entry. Four-year graduation rates range between 15.7 and 22.4%, five-year range between 26.2 and 34.4%, and six-year graduation rates range between 32.9 and 36.9%.
The five-year graduation rate is another UNC System priority for FSU. The “Finish in Four” campaign encourages students to enroll in at least 15 credits each semester to facilitate timely degree completion. Poster and banners distributed throughout campus remind students of the financial and academic benefits of enrolling in 15+ credits each semester. The implementation of Degree Works, which helps students and advisors develop four-year plans, will contribute to the five-year graduation rate.
First-time, Full-time Freshmen Six-Year Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
| Race/Ethnicity | Fall 2014 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2015 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2016 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2017 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2018 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2019 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 45.00 | 9.10 | 45.2 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10.0 |
| Asian | 71.4 | 33.3 | 60.0 | 28.6 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Black or African American | 34.2 | 38.7 | 42.7 | 36.0 | 37.6 | 36.9 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 36.7 | 47.1 | 44.7 | 41.1 | 46.5 | 38.0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Two or More Races | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 27.3 | 37.3 | 30.0 |
| U.S. Nonresident | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Unknown | 57.1 | 32.0 | 47.6 | 22.2 | 38.9 | 42.1 |
| White | 38.2 | 32.1 | 48.6 | 36.1 | 27.8 | 44.2 |
Using the IPEDS FSU internal data by cohort, the data are disaggregated by race/ethnicity and gender to better understand the overall six-year graduation percentage. In addition, disaggregated data enable FSU to design institutional strategies that focus on all groups, especially groups with the lowest graduation rates.
Pell-eligible and Rural Completions
| 19-20 | 20-21 | 21-22 | 22-23 | 23-24 | 24-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completions (Received Pell Anytime Last 5 Years) | 675 | 664 | 677 | 735 | 716 | 779 |
| Rural Completions | 833 | 825 | 808 | 830 | 836 | 856 |
FSU tracks and publishes completions data for the UNC System Strategic Plan Metrics for Pell-eligible completions and rural completions.
Undergraduate Degree Efficiency and Achievement Gaps in Undergraduate Degree Efficiency by Gender (First-time, Full-time Freshmen Four-Year Graduation Rates by Gender)
| Gender | Fall 2018 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2019 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2020 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort | Fall 2021 First-time, Full-time Freshmen Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 27.7 | 21.6 | 18.9 | 26.4 |
| Male | 16.4 | 16.3 | 12.8 | 14.9 |
College of Education Licensing Examinations
| Bachelor's Degree Programs’ Licensure Test Pass Rates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | ||||
| Total Completers |
Pass Rate % |
Total Completers |
Pass Rate % |
Total Completers |
Pass Rate % |
|
| FSU | 22 | 46 | 33 | 34 | 50 | 46 |
| NC | 2415 | 78 | 2927 | 76 | 2834 | 67 |
* To protect confidentiality of student records, mean scores based on fewer than five test takers were not printed.
NCLEX
Graduates of the Generic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program are eligible to test for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) prepared by National Council of State Boards of Nursing. NCLEX-RN is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States. The NCLEX-RN examination measures competence for entry-level practice for graduates of Board-approved pre-licensure nursing education programs. A nursing license gives an individual permission to practice nursing, granted by the state where they met the requirements.
The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for FSU Baccalaureate Degree prepared nurses from 2022-2024 were 78%, 84%, and 96%, with a three-year average of 86%. FSU NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates were competitive with the state average.
NCLEX-RN First-time Pass Rates
| Type | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 3-Yr Average 2022-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Pass Rate | RN-All* | 80 | 89 | 91 | 86.6 |
| NC Pass Rate | RN-All* | 76 | 85 | 82 | 81 |
| FSU Pass Rate | BSN | 78 | 84 | 96 | 86 |
*The national and state NCLEX results include all RN programs, including the AAS, ABSN, ADN, and BSN.