According to preliminary data, the University of New Orleans reports a 38% 6-year graduation rate for the freshmen class that enrolled in the fall semester of 2005. This represents a 90% improvement compared to the freshmen class of the previous year, which posted a 20% graduation rate.
“The freshmen class of the fall of 2005 was our Katrina class, and many of those students had to endure enormous difficulties,” said UNO Acting Chancellor Joe King. “We are immensely proud of their perseverance and this graduation rate is a testament to their commitment and hard work. We believe this is the first sign of substantial progress. We anticipate that our graduation rate will continue at similar levels in the coming years.”
The 6-year graduation rate is the one most frequently used by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Graduation Rate Survey of the U.S. Department of Education. Official graduation rates are based on an entering fall semester cohort composed of first-time, full-time degree-seeking freshmen. This group of students is tracked to determine their graduation status within 150% of normal time to program completion (six years).
Part-time students, transfer students, graduate students, students who take longer than six years to graduate, students who do not enter as degree-seeking and new freshmen who enroll in the spring semester are not included in the official IPEDS 6-year graduation rate.