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To ensure that federal funds go to good use, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) collects and analyzes data regarding approximately 6,800 US universities and colleges. The most recent annual feedback report to ��Ӱֱ�� State College (ASC) once again shows how ASC is outperforming its peers in assistance to first-time college students and low-income families. 

The median for peer institution four- and six-year graduation rates are 19 to 23 points lower than ��Ӱֱ�� State’s. ASC also blows past the comparison group when it comes to helping ��Ӱֱ�� State students and parents connect with more financial resources to make college a reality and climb to another level of income for social mobility. Historically, more than half of ASC’s new students receive Pell Grants and one-third are first-generation college students.  

“I couldn’t be prouder of this win for our talented and industrious faculty at ��Ӱֱ�� State,” said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and VP for Economic Development Dr. Craig Clark. “While the nation debates the various rates of return on investment offered by different schools, ��Ӱֱ�� State provides the answer with high-quality and affordable education. This time of year, most of our seniors have already landed a job with our 98% employment and continuing education rate. Families choose ASC because we assist their students with both academics and finances so that they go on to launch good-paying careers.”

��Ӱֱ�� State proudly boasts a tight-knit and caring community of support for student success in classes and hands-on labs at an affordable price. In addition to high marks for students to complete their degrees and land good jobs, the Data Feedback Report notes that 97 percent of ��Ӱֱ�� State students receive financial aid compared to only 67 percent receiving aid at peer institutions. 

ASC promotes Free Tuition Plus, as a way of reminding parents that there are more resources beyond federal and state money. The “plus” at ��Ӱֱ�� State is how 87 percent of students earn local college scholarships for costs outside of tuition. The federal report shows similar peer institutions only provide college-level need and merit scholarships to 18 percent of their students.

“The statistics show differences in the level of support both financially and academically at ��Ӱֱ�� State versus peer institutions,” said ��Ӱֱ�� State Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness Daniel Jardine. “The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) makes all data publicly available for families to compare schools. The experts at IPEDS validated data for 26 public colleges and universities across the nation that are like ��Ӱֱ�� State in size and mix of four-year and two-year degree programs. Their analysis provides an objective third-party comparison and is a valid benchmark for our success.”

The current IPEDS comparison group includes the likes of Arkansas Tech University, Bellevue College in Washington, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Pensacola State College in Florida, and Vincennes University in Indiana. Benchmark comparisons include many ways that ��Ӱֱ�� State helps first-time enrolled students carrying a full-time schedule of classes who may be at high risk of not completing a degree:

Pell Grant Student Graduation Rates (Figure 17 Pell Graduates)
•    At ASC 51% graduate in 4 years vs. 32% at peer institutions.
•    At ASC 55% graduate within 6 years vs. 35% at peer institutions.

Other Students’ Graduation Rates (Figure 17 Non-Pell Graduates)
•    At ASC 66% graduate in 4 years vs. 43% at peer institutions.
•    At ASC 70% graduate within 6 years vs. 48% at peer institutions.

Financial Aid Support (Figure 10 Types of Aid)
•    At ASC 97% receive aid vs. only 67% of students at peer institutions.
•    At ASC 81% earn additional college scholarships vs. only 18% among peers.