Retention rate

The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue at that school the next year. According to the U.S. Department of Education, a student who studies full-time in the fall semester and keeps on studying in the program in the next fall semester is counted in this rate. Looking at retention rates will help you gauge how successful a school is at serving its students. If students are happy and well-supported academically, culturally, or financially, they will be more likely to stay at an institution.