Brescia University aspires to meet or exceed the FTFT Fall to Fall five-year rolling average based on IPEDS data.
The University’s retention rates over the past five years are summarized in the chart below:
| Year | Total Unduplicated Headcount | Total degree seeking Undergraduate | Total degree seeking graduate | Total First Time Full Time (FTFT) Undergraduate | Total FTFT Men | Total FTFT Women | FTFT Fall to Fall Retention | 5-year rolling average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2018 | 1041 | 937 | 77 | 229 | 99 | 130 | 68% | 63% |
| Fall 2019 | 986 | 893 | 93 | 150 | 60 | 90 | 71% | 63.4% |
| Fall 2020 | 841 | 754 | 89 | 154 | 85 | 69 | 66% | 65.8% |
| Fall 2021 | 937 | 831 | 106 | 643 | 243 | 400 | 77% | 66.2% |
| Fall 2022 | 646 | 551 | 95 | 478 | 198 | 280 | * | 69% |
*not yet reported
While the University’s goal for retention is to meet or exceed the five-year rolling retention rate based on IPEDS data, for comparison purposes the University has set a peer retention benchmark based on information provided by Ruffalo Noel-Levitz, a higher education consulting firm used by the University as an enrollment consultant. Within the categories measured by Ruffalo Noel-Levitz, consistent with other sources such as ACT, the benchmark for Brescia University as a four-year private institution with “lower selectivity” is 74.5%, the median range for this category, as seen in this Ruffalo Noel-Levitz chart, found on p. 8 of the “2022 Student Success and Retention Benchmarks Report”.
Enrollment numbers reflect the pandemic and post-COVID reality of higher education. In light of these hurdles and peer retention benchmark, efforts to increase student retention have intensified. The current First Year Experience focuses on student engagement, an Early Alert academic warning system identifies students at risk of disengagement, and a joint Academic-Student Development CARE Team approach to early intervention when student issues arise has been implemented. The President also convened a new Retention Committee to study issues students have noted on Exit Surveys. The committee discussed current retention efforts and started work on recommendations for improvement.
In January 2023, the Office of Student Success was developed to holistically address student needs including retention. The Office of Student Success provides services to meet the academic needs of students such as disability accommodations, tutoring, academic and student success coaching, and professional advising. The Office of Student Success also coordinates the CARE Team and Early Alert academic warning system to provide intervention when student issues arise. The Office of Student Success acts as a liaison between Academic and Student Affairs to best assist students reach their success goals.