Strategic Measures 2022

Summary


Retention Rates Goal #1

The retention rates of first-time, full-time undergraduates (commonly referred to as freshmen) are national standard metrics used by institutions of higher education. These metrics are principally useful for traditional institutions like The University of Alabama. The University tracks the second-year and third-year retention rates. These rates reflect the percentage of the entering fall cohort of first-time, full-time undergraduate students that return to the University for their second and third fall semesters.

MetricCohortPerformanceAnnual Change
2-Year Retention Rate202286.1%-0.6%
3-Year Retention Rate202180%-2.2%

Graduation Rates Goal #1

The graduation rates of first-time, full-time undergraduates (commonly referred to as freshmen) are national standard metrics used by institutions of higher education. These metrics are principally useful for traditional institutions like The University of Alabama. The University tracks the four-year and six-year graduation rates. These rates reflect the percentage of the entering fall cohort of first-time, full-time undergraduate students that graduate with a bachelor’s degree by the summer semester of their fourth and sixth years at the University.

MetricCohortPerformanceAnnual Change
4th-Year Graduation Rate201958.1%1.5%
6th-Year Graduation Rate201773.7%0.9%

First Semester Completion Rates Goal #1

Internal analyses of the academic persistence of the first-time, full-time undergraduates (commonly referred to as freshmen) suggest that students completing their first semester with at least 12 earned credit hours are twice as likely to graduate as those with fewer earned hours. The 12 credit hour minimum places the student on a path to graduate within five years, while the 15 hour minimum sets the student on a path to graduate in four years.

MetricCohortPerformanceAnnual Change
At least 12 Earned Credits202379.2%5.5%
At least 15 Earned Credits202342.0%4.3%

Faculty Headcount Goal #1 & #2

Maintaining a sufficient number of faculty to support the instructional, research, and service functions of The University of Alabama mission is essential to the institutional success. The University monitors the faculty headcount for the fall semester (Goal #1), as well as the percentage of tenure path (tenured and tenure-track, Goal #2) and full-time faculty.

MetricCohortPerformanceAnnual Change
Faculty Headcount20232,11729
Percent of Tenure Path 202347%-1%
Percent Full-Time202377.8%0.5%

Sponsored Program Awards Goal #2

Growing the sponsored program awards is important for maintaining and increasing the research and service functions of The University of Alabama. In addition, it provides direct learning and experience opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The University monitors the number of submitted proposals, the number of awards, and the dollar amount of awards per year.

MetricFiscal YearPerformanceAnnual Change
Submitted2021-221,189-24
Awarded2021-2284026
Amount Awarded2021-22$211,462,634$40,431,974

Graduate Student Enrollment Goal #1

Increasing the quality and number of graduate students is a primary objective of The University of Alabama Strategic Plan. The University continues to monitor the enrollment of graduate students.

MetricFall SemesterPerformanceAnnual Change
Graduate Students20235,6947

Degrees Awarded Goal #1 & #2

With graduation as the ultimate goal, our degree-seeking students have opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities that encourage collaboration among students, faculty, and the community. Receiving more than just a degree, our graduates will help to strengthen communities and promote innovation (Goal #1). Increasing the percentage of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees is an essential component of the University mission and preparing our graduates for careers to compete in the world market (Goal #2).

Metric (Degrees Awarded)Degree YearPerformanceAnnual Change
Undergraduate2022-236,505-235
Undergraduate % STEM2022-2319.0%-1.8%
Masters2022-232,180-18
Masters % STEM2022-2312.7%-0.9%
Doctoral2021-2331054
Doctoral % STEM2022-2336.1%4.1%

Minority Enrollment Goal #3

Increasing the number of minority students is a primary objective of The University of Alabama Strategic Plan.

MetricFall SemesterPerformanceAnnual Change
Undergraduate20237,888715
Professional2023100-1
Graduate20231,35486
Total20239,342800

Minority Student Retention Rates Goal #3

Increasing the retention of minority students is key to the objective of The University Strategic Plan.

MetricCohortPerformanceAnnual Change
2-Year Retention Rate202281.1%0.4%
3-Year Retention Rate202170.9%-4%

Minority Student Graduation Rates Goal #3

Increasing the graduation rate of minority students is key to the objective of The University Strategic Plan.

MetricCohortPerformanceAnnual Change
4th-Year Graduation Rate201941.9%-2.8%
6th-Year Graduation Rate201765.4%1.4%

Minority Faculty Headcount Goal #3

MetricFall SemesterPerformanceAnnual Change
Minority Faculty202344845
Tenure Path Minority Faculty202323411
Full-Time Minority Faculty20239315