LCU Student Success Indicators
LCU is committed to engaging students for success and regularly evaluates progress toward institutional goals for average first-year retention rate, six-year graduation rate, and first destination outcomes for graduates. Student success goals are relevant to the LCU mission of Christ-centered transformative education and strategically support the broad institutional goals identified in the LCU 2027 Platinum Plan.
LCU Student Success Indicators:
- First-year retention rates for first-year, beginning college students
- Six-year graduation rates (as reported to IPEDS)
- First Destination Outcomes within six months of graduation (knowledge and placement rates for graduates)
Indicators are evaluated regularly to assess progress toward institutional goals and identify areas for improvement.
First year (Fall to Fall) retention rates for first-time in college (FTIC) students
LCU has a goal for year over year improvement and achieving an average first-year retention rate of at least 75% for all FTIC students. The 2025-2026 first-year retention rate did not meet desired outcomes. In response, LCU has implemented an updated intensive first-year advising model for entering students and improved resources for student support personnel to identify student needs and work with students earlier to achieve success.
First-Year Retention Outcomes
Group | 2023 Retention | 2024 Retention | 2025 Retention | 2026 Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average First-Year Retention Rate (all students) | 73.8% | 70.1% | 68.9% | 60.0% |
Six-year graduation rates
LCU has a goal for year over year improvement in the percentage of first-time in college students who successfully graduate from LCU within six years of beginning their degree. The 2026 six-year graduation rate for students who began at LCU in 2020 is 51.6%, an increase of 5.3 percentage points over the prior year.
Six-Year Graduation Outcomes:
Group | Fall 2023 6-year Grad (2017 cohort) | Fall 2024 6-year Grad (2018 cohort) | Fall 2025 6-year Grad (2019 cohort) | Fall 2026 6-year Grad (2020 cohort) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All FTIC students (Goal A) | 48.7% | 51.4% | 49.3% | 51.6% |
First Destination Outcomes (FDO) within 6 months of Graduation (knowledge and placement rates for graduates)
- Goal A (for overall First Destination Outcomes): LCU will achieve an overall Knowledge and Placement rate of 90% or higher
- Goal B (for disaggregated FDO by Academic Department): Each academic department will achieve FDO knowledge and placement rates of 90% or higher.
- Comparison Threshold: LCU knowledge and placement rates will exceed the rates for NACE Private Non-Profit and Carnegie Masters Small cohorts (for the most recent comparison year)
First Destination Outcomes (for May 2025 graduates)
Department | Knowledge Rate | Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Sciences | 62% | 100% |
| Biblical Studies | 100% | 91% |
| Business Administration | 92% | 88% |
| Chemistry & Biochemistry | 100% | 100% |
| Education | 100% | 100% |
| Exercise & Sport Science | 100% | 96% |
| Humanities | 100% | 86% |
| Integrated Business | 92% | 91% |
| Mathematics | 100% | 100% |
| Natural Sciences | 100% | 87% |
| Nursing Undergraduate | 100% | 100% |
| Social Work and Criminal Justice | 79% | 100% |
| Grand Total | 93% | 94% |
First Destination Outcomes compared to NACE
Analysis:
- Goal A: LCU achieved an overall Knowledge Rate of 93.1% and Placement Rate of 93.9% for the May 2025 graduates within 6 months of graduation, exceeding the goal of 90% for each.
- Goal B: 85% of academic departments (11 of 13) achieved knowledge rates of at least 90% for their May 2025 graduates. 10 of 13 departments reported Placement Rates higher than 90%.
- LCU First Destination Outcomes, including Knowledge and Placement rates as well as the percentage of graduates in employed full-time exceeded averages for Private Non-Profit and Carnegie Masters Small institution for the 2023 NACE data.
Knowledge | Placement | FT Emp. | Continuing ED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCU May 2025 Graduates | 93% | 94% | 88% | 22% |
| NACE 2024 Private Non-Profit | 72% | 92% | 55% | 24% |
| NACE 2024 Carnegie Masters Small | 66% | 80% | 51% | 19% |
Action Planning:
- Develop an interactive dashboard to increase visibility of FDO trend data.
Bachelor of Social Work Program Outcomes
2024-2025 SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM ASSESSMENT RESULTS
| Planned Outcome | Method | Criterion | N | Assessment Results | Use of Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking: Student applies critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. | SWK3301-Social History | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 19 | 89% earned a B or higher. | Met Criterion |
| Critical Thinking: Student applies critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. | SWK3302-Comm Assessment & Intervention | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 12 | 100% earned a B or higher. | Met Criterion |
| Critical Thinking: Student applies critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. | Field Mastery Presentation Section F | At least 80% will earn a 4 or above on the assessed section. | 12 | 100% earned a 4 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Critical Thinking: Student applies critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. | 200 Hour Field Eval Competency 4.2 | 75% will receive a 3 or above on the 200 hr. question. | 12 | 92% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Critical Thinking: Student applies critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. | 400 Hour Field Eval Competency 4.2 | 90% will receive a 3 or above on the 400 hr. question. | 12 | 100% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Generalist Knowledge & Skills Application Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation | SWK3301-Social History | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 19 | 89% earned a B or higher. | Met Criterion |
| Generalist Knowledge & Skills Application Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation | SWK3302-Comm Assessment & Intervention | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 12 | 100% earned a B or higher. | Met Criterion |
| Generalist Knowledge & Skills Application Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation | SWK3303- Group Leadership | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 19 | 100% earned a B or higher | Met Criterion |
| Generalist Knowledge & Skills Application Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation | Field Mastery Presentation Sections I, J, K, N | At least 80% will earn a 4 or above on the assessed section. | 12 | 100% earned a 4 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Generalist Knowledge & Skills Application Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation | 200 Hour Field Eval Competency 6-9 | 75% will receive a 3 or above on the 200 hr. question. | 12 | 96% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Generalist Knowledge & Skills Application Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation | 400 Hour Field Eval Competency 6-9 | 90% will receive a 3 or above on the 400 hr. question. | 12 | 100% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Communication Across Client Populations Student engages diversity and difference in practice. | SWK3301-Interview | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 19 | 89% earned a B or higher. | Met Criterion |
| Communication Across Client Populations Student engages diversity and difference in practice. | SWK3302-Comm Assessment & Intervention | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 12 | 100% earned a B or higher. | Met Criterion |
| Communication Across Client Populations Student engages diversity and difference in practice. | SWK3303: Group Leadership | 80% will earn a B or higher on the assignment. | 19 | 100% earned a B or higher | Met Criterion |
| Communication Across Client Populations Student engages diversity and difference in practice. | Field Mastery Presentation Section D | At least 80% will earn a 4 or above on the assessed section. | 12 | 100% earned a 4 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Communication Across Client Populations Student engages diversity and difference in practice. | 200 Hour Field Eval Competency 2 | 75% will receive a 3 or above on the 200 hr. question. | 12 | 100% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Communication Across Client Populations Student engages diversity and difference in practice. | 400 Hour Field Eval Competency 2 | 90% will receive a 3 or above on the 400 hr. question. | 12 | 100% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Social Work Practice Supervision & Consultation Student uses supervision and consultation effectively. | Field Mastery Presentation Section C | At least 80% will earn a 4 or above on the assessed section. | 12 | 100% earned a 4 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Social Work Practice Supervision & Consultation Student uses supervision and consultation effectively. | 200 Hour Field Eval Competency 1.5 | 75% will receive a 3 or above on the 200 hr. question. | 12 | 100% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |
| Social Work Practice Supervision & Consultation Student uses supervision and consultation effectively. | 400 Hour Field Eval Competency 1.5 | 90% will receive a 3 or above on the 400 hr. question. | 12 | 100% received a 3 or above. | Met Criterion |