New Hampshire is a national leader in completion rates of students who began studies at a four-year public institution, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC), which puts USNH second in the nation and first in the East.
The NSCRC report captured a broad swath of students in its degree completion rate analysis. The findings found that New England’s four-year colleges and universities showed strength in setting up students for successful degree completion.
New Hampshire’s public higher education institutions fared particularly well in the study with an average completion rate of 78% - the second highest in the country.
“Another outstanding result and measure of success for New Hampshire’s four-year public institutions,” said USNH Chancellor Dr. Todd Leach. “We have focused on providing our students with a high-quality education that puts them on the pathway to success. The rates show that our public higher education system is working and doing what it was designed to do, preparing our state’s future workforce.”
The University System already has the distinction of having the lowest average student loan default rate in the country, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System. Meaning, USNH students are completing their degrees, getting jobs and paying off their debt.
“Not sacrificing quality in spite of low levels of funding has been key to strong completion rates,” said Leach. “We cannot address workforce needs if our students don’t graduate.”
For more on the study and how USNH institutions compare regionally and nationally go to the New England Board of Higher Education at http://www.nebhe.org.
About USNH
The University System of New Hampshire strives to ensure the availability of appropriate higher educational opportunities to all New Hampshire people; seeks to enroll a diverse student population to enhance educational experiences; and provides programs and activities based on a commitment to excellence. The 27-member Board is responsible for the oversight of the University System, which includes the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and Granite State College.
For more information contact Tiffany Eddy at 603-657-6471 or tiffany.eddy@usnh.edu.
