Student Achievement

 

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, professional, and doctorate degrees.  Questions about the accreditation of FAMU may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). 

The SACSCOC Policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure requires that member institutions publish “statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals.” FAMU uses several measures to evaluate student achievement and success in accordance with the University’s mission and the students it serves.

Specific University measures for student achievement include the following:

  • Improvement of retention and graduation rates.
  • Being among the nation’s leaders in the number of degrees granted to African-Americans, an important constituency group at the University.
  • Having examination/certification exam pass rates for FAMU graduates greater than the overall national/state pass rates.
  • Having job placement rates greater than the average of other State University System of Florida institutions.

Mission Statement

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is an 1890 land grant, doctoral/research institution devoted to student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels. FAMU enhances the lives of its constituents and empowers communities through innovative teaching, research, scholarship, partnerships, and public service. The University continues its rich legacy and historic mission of educating African Americans and embraces all dimensions of diversity.

Strategic Plan Goals Related to Student Achievement

Strategic Priority 1: Student Success

  • Goal 1: Elevate Student Success Outcomes (Retention, Graduation Rates, Licensure Pass Rates, etc.) to the High Excellence Range among state and national scales.
  • Goal 2: Establish FAMU as the 1st Choice Destination among scholars.
  • Goal 3: Reimagine and align academic offerings to address emerging workforce demands and increase degree production in programs of strategic emphasis.

Strategic Priority 2: Academic Excellence

  • Goal 4: Amplify discovery and innovation to solve complex real-world problems.

To evaluate student achievement, FAMU uses retention rates, graduation rates, degree productivity among African Americans, job placement rates, and pass rates on licensure and certification exams, which are appropriate given the mission.

FAMU’s Student Achievement Measures Relevant to Students Served and Programs Offered and their Alignment with the Mission

 

Student Achievement Measures Relevant to Students Served and Programs Offered

Mission Alignment

I

Retention and Graduation Rates, comparable to national student achievement measures, peer institutions (SUS and HBCUs)

“Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is an 1890 land grant, doctoral/research institution devoted to student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional levels…The University continues its rich legacy and historic mission of educating African Americans and embraces all dimensions of diversity.”

II

Being among the nation’s leaders in the number of degrees granted to African Americans, an important constituent group at the University per FAMU’s historic mission 

“… The University continues its rich legacy and historic mission of educating African Americans and embraces all dimensions of diversity.” For this indicator, the university’s focus is on degree productivity to increase diversity in the workforce, particularly in disciplines where minorities are traditionally underrepresented.

III

Job placement rates, comparable to the average of others in the State University System (SUS) of Florida, which FAMU is a member

“Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is an 1890 land grant, doctoral/research institution devoted to student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional levels…”

IV

Licensure/Certification examination pass rates for FAMU graduates, equal to or greater than the overall national/state pass rates, but no less than required by the appropriate specialized accrediting agency 

“Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is an 1890 land grant, doctoral/research institution devoted to student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional levels…”

 

Key Student Completion Indicator

Table 1. Full-time, First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Six-Year Graduation Rates

Cohort Year

Threshold of Acceptability

Actual

Target

2013-14

-

53%

-

2014-15

-

55%

-

2015-16

50%

55%

55%

2016-17

53%

60%

58%

2017-18

55%

51%

63%

 

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is committed to serving a diverse student population and ensuring their academic success. To measure and improve student outcomes, FAMU disaggregates its 6-year graduation rates by race, gender, Pell Grant status, and other relevant categories, such as Opportunity and Access Admits, based on the types of students served and in accordance with its mission and 2022-2027 strategic plan, Boldy Striking. By analyzing the data, FAMU can identify and address gaps or disparities in student achievement and provide targeted support and interventions.

Table 2. 6-year Graduation Rate by Demographic

6-Year Graduation Rate

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

 

%

%

%

%

%

Cohort 6-Yr Graduation Rate

53%

55%

55%

60%

51%

Disaggregated by Gender

Female

59%

62%

60%

65%

57%

Male

42%

42%

45%

51%

42%

Disaggregated by Race

Hispanic

50%

22%

50%

46%

47%

American Indian

100%

-

-

-

-

Asian

50%

100%

100%

50%

33%

Black

53%

56%

55%

60%

53%

White

30%

32%

42%

52%

24%

Two or more races

60%

17%

58%

65%

48%

Non-Resident Alien

-

100%

33%

83%

11%

Disaggregated by Residency Classification

In-State

53%

54%

55%

59%

51%

Out-of-State

50%

61%

56%

61%

56%

Disaggregated by Pell Status

Recipients of a Pell Grant

52%

54%

52%

58%

50%

Non-Pell Grant Recipients

55%

58%

61%

62%

55%

Opportunity Admits

45%

47%

42%

48%

40%

Regular Admits

57%

60%

60%

63%

55%

Data Sources: State RET cohort year 2013-14 to 2017-18 data files and SFA data files

 

Retention and Progression Rates

Table 3. Retention Rates 1st to 2nd Year: Full-time, First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Retention Rates - Retained in the Second Fall Term at Same University

Term of Entry 

Retention Rate 

Goal 

Threshold of Acceptability 

2016-17 

83% 

84% 

79% 

2017-18 

79% 

84% 

79% 

2018-19 

80% 

86% 

81% 

2019-20 

86% 

88% 

83% 

2020-21 

89% 

90% 

85% 

2022-23 

90% 

92% 

87% 

Source:  2022 FAMU Accountability Plan  

Table 4. Academic Progress Rates 1st to 2nd Year: Full-time, First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Progress Rates - Retained in the Second Fall Term with a 2.0 or higher at Same University

Term of Entry 

Progress Rate 

Goal 

Threshold of Acceptability 

2016-17 

70% 

77% 

72% 

2017-18 

71% 

80% 

75% 

2018-19 

73% 

85% 

80% 

2019-20 

82% 

86% 

81% 

2020-21 

84% 

88% 

83% 

2022-23 

83% 

88% 

83% 

Source:  2023 FAMU Accountability Plan   

Table 5. Four-Year Graduation Rates: Full-time, First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Graduation Rates

Cohort Year

Threshold of Acceptability

Actual

Target

2014-18

20%

23%

25%

2015-19

25%

28%

30%

2016-20

30%

35%

35%

2017-21

33%

27%

38%

2018-22

35%

28%

40%

 

Licensure Pass Rates

FAMU monitors the performance progress on licensure and certification exams for specific bachelor’s and professional programs requiring licensure to practice in the field. The threshold of acceptability is set at the minimum required by the specialized accrediting agency.

Table 6.  Professional Licensure/Certification Exams

Nursing (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) 

Year

First-time pass Rate

Goal

Threshold of Acceptability

2018

82%

80%

80%

2019

63%

85%

80%

2020

67%

80%

80%

2021

62%

80%

80%

2022

68%

90%

80%

2023

82%

90%

80%

 

Law (Florida Bar Exam) 

Year

First-time pass Rate

Goal

Threshold of Acceptability

2018

47%

73%

75%

2019

57%

80%

75%

2020

58%

80%

75%

2021

59%

80%

75%

2022

53%

80%

75%

2023

41%

80%

75%

 

Pharmacy (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) 

Year

First-time pass Rate

Goal

Threshold of Acceptability

2018

75%

85%

80%

2019

83%

85%

80%

2020

83%

88%

80%

2021

90%

88%

80%

2022

85%

90%

80%

2023

 

92%

80%

 

Physical Therapy (National Physical Therapy Exam)  

Year

First-time pass Rate

Goal

Threshold of Acceptability

2016-18

92%

93%

85%

2017-19

96%

93%

85%

2018-20

91%

91%

85%

2020-22

86%

100%

85%

2021-22

83%

90%

85%

 

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam  

Year

First-time pass Rate

Goal

Threshold of Acceptability

2018

87%

75%

70%

2019

71%

75%

70%

2020

79%

75%

70%

2021

95%

75%

70%

2022

88%

75%

70%

 

Cardiopulmonary Sciences (National Board for Respiratory Care) 

Year

First-time pass Rate

Goal

Threshold of Acceptability

2018

100%

81%

60%

2019

100%

81%

60%

2020

91%

79%

60%

2021

100%

100%

60%

2022

100%

88%%

60%

2023

94%

90%

60%

 

Position in National Ranking of Number of Degrees Awarded to African Americans

One of FAMU’s most significant contributions to both the state and national workforce is being a top producer of African American graduates, particularly in fields in which they are underrepresented.  According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Top 100 Producers, 2023, FAMU is ranked as one of the top 20 producers of African American graduates at the baccalaureate level in several disciplines.  FAMU remains a top producer of African American graduates at the baccalaureate level based on data published by the Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Top 100 Producers, 2023. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS also shows that FAMU ranks eleventh in the nation in baccalaureate degrees awarded to African American graduates.  The goal for each of the metrics related to degree productivity is to increase trained graduates in diverse disciplines consistent with FAMU’s mission of student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional levels.  

Table 7. Diverse Issues Top 20 FAMU Baccalaureate Degree Producing Majors

Rank

Discipline

2

Architecture And Related Services 

3

Health Professions and Related Programs 

4

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences 

9

Public Administration and Social Service Professions 

11

All Disciplines Combined 

11

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 

12

Mathematics And Statistics 

12

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration 

13

Psychology 

15

Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields 

17

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services 

19

Biological And Biomedical Sciences 

20

Natural Resources and Conservation 

 

Table 8. Diverse Issues FAMU Top 20 Master’s Degree Producing Majors

Rank 

Master’s Degree Producing Majors   

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences 

Social Sciences 

Architecture And Related Services 

10 

Physical Sciences 

16 

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions 

2023 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings   

Table 9. Diverse Issues FAMU Top Ten (10) Professional Doctoral Degree Producing Majors

Rank

Professional Doctoral Degree Major  

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration 

All Disciplines Combined 

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions 

 Legal Professions and Studies 

2023 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings  

Table 10. Diverse Issues FAMU Top Ten (10) Doctor’s Research Degree Producing Majors

Rank 

Doctor’s Research Degree Major  

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration 

Public Health 

10 

Engineering 

2023 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings  

Table 10. National Ranking of Baccalaureate Degrees Awarded to African-Americans (2016 Cohort)

Rank

Institution Name

Graduation rate total cohort

1

University of Central Florida 

76%

2

Florida International University 

69%

3

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 

60%

4

North Carolina A & T State University 

57%

5

Georgia State University 

55%

6

Western Governors University 

49%

7

Grand Canyon University 

45%

8

Southern New Hampshire University 

41%

9

University of Maryland Global Campus 

19%

10

University of Phoenix-Arizona 

18%

 

Job Placements

The overall job placement rates for FAMU students provide further evidence that FAMU produces quality graduates. The primary means of tracking graduates beyond graduation is the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP),

Table 11.  Post-Graduation Metrics: Percent of Bachelor’s Graduates Enrolled or Employed (Earning at least $40,000 as of November 2022 and at least $30,000 before November 2022) One Year After Graduation  

Academic Year  

Percent Found Employed or Enrolled  

Goal  

Threshold of Acceptability  

2017-18  

57.9%  

60%  

55%  

2017-18  

61.9%  

62%  

57%  

2018-19  

62.5%  

65%  

60%  

2019-20  

60.1%  

80%  

75%  

2020-21  

67.8%  

80%  

75%  

Source:  2023 Accountability Plan, Board of Governors Report