Tuesday, March 13, 2012STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- Graduation and transfer rates at Eastern Gateway Community College are above state averages. The report on the graduation rates of public two-year colleges shows Eastern Gateway ranks second in the state at 26%, right behind Washington State Community College in Marietta.
This is a 3% increase over the 2010 graduation rate, according to Patty Sturch, dean of enrollment management.
Graduation rates for other nearby two-year colleges show Zane State College at 24% and Stark State College of Technology at 15%, according to the 2011 report from Complete College America.
Graduation rates are for first-time, full-time students completing a certificate or earning adegree within 150% of normal program time.
Combining the 26% graduation and 27% transfer rate to a four-year college, Eastern Gateway racks up 53% of its students meeting these two goals. "Another significant percentage of our students are taking classes to advance on the job," Sturch noted.
In addition to conferring degrees and awarding certificates, community colleges have the mission to offer opportunities for students to take classes and to complete associate degrees to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. This transfer out rate is an important component in fulfilling the community college’s mission. Eastern Gateway’s transfer out rate stood at 27% in 2011, up 12% from 2010, Sturch said.
Other data reported to the Eastern Gateway board of trustees show the fall to spring retention rate stands at 74%. This compares to 75% one year ago, Sturch said.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.