To fulfill its mission, Samford University monitors student achievement and success in multiple ways during the time students are enrolled and once they have graduated. Examples of Samford’s goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals are provided below. These include student retention rates, graduation rates, outcomes for licensing examinations, undergraduate success in securing jobs, internships, or continuing their education after graduation, and participation in selected high impact practices. To benchmark student success in achieving the goals, Samford University uses information from the sources identified below.
2022-2023 Measures and Outcomes for Student Achievement
Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer 6-year graduation rate of 77%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant 6-year graduation rate of 87%.
Samford's Current Outcome
79% (Fall 2015 cohort)
Source of Data
Institutional Research and Analytics
Retention Rate
Retention rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer retention rate of 86%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant retention rate of 93%
Samford's Current Outcome
87.6% (Fall 2022 cohort returning Fall 2023)
Source of Data
Institutional Research and Analytics
High Impact Student Practices
Participation in two or more high impact student practices by senior year.
Participation in high impact student practices is essential to the furtherance of Samford’s mission to “nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood.”
Goals
Goal: Exceed NSSE cohort.
Current options include: NSSEE 2022-2023 – 59%
Samford's Current Outcome
Based on 2023 NSSE data, 86% of Samford students participated in two or more high impact practices by senior year.
Source of Data
NSSE 2023
Professional Licensure (Nursing, Pharmacy, Law)
Narrative and Rationale for Measure
Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law represent the largest programs at Samford University and drive enrollment to a large degree. Thus, given the significant imprint on the institution, and the overall number of students enrolled, results from the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law licensure exams are key measures of student achievement.
Goals
Nursing: Minimum threshold of acceptability is 80% passage rate based on benchmarks set by CCNE and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Pharmacy: The minimum threshold of acceptability is to meet the national average for the NAPLEX -AND- to meet he national average for the MPJE.
Law: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the American Bar Association’s ultimate bar passage rate requirement of 75%. The ultimate bar passage rate is defined as graduates who take a bar exam and pass within two years of graduation.
Samford's Current Outcome
Nursing:
- 99.1% NCLEX-RN overall pass rate for calendar year 2022
- 87.2% Overall pass rate for Family Nurse Practitioner graduates for calendar year 2022
- 100% Overall pass rate for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduates for calendar year 2022
- 93.75% National Certification Exam first time pass rate for Nurse Anesthesia for class of 2023
Pharmacy: Current outcome: 79% average first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX in 2022 as compared to 80% for national, and 96% average first-time pass rate on the MPJE in 2022 as compared to 77% for national.
Law:
- Current outcome (2020 class) 97.14% ultimate bar passage rate
- One year out bar pass rate (2021 class) 92.4%
- First time taker pass rate (2022 class) 83.68%
Source of Data
Academic Programs
Undergraduate First Destination Outcomes (Employment, Continued Education, and Knowledge Rate*)
*A knowledge rate is defined as the percent of graduates for which the institution has reasonable and verifiable information concerning the graduates’ post-graduation career activities.
One focus area within Samford’s strategic plan includes an emphasis on student success. This emphasis includes a commitment to expanding undergraduate support in the Career Development Center and the enrichment of external partnerships. Undergraduate first destination outcomes demonstrate the successful transition of Samford graduates into their careers or graduate and continuing education.
Goals
Goal: Exceed southeast region
- Southeast region: 78.6% employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 64.8%.
Samford's Current Outcome
Outcomes for the 2022-2023 undergraduate class:
- 97% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 96%
Source of Data
National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE)
2021-2022 Measures and Outcomes for Student Achievement
Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer 6-year graduation rate of 77%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant 6-year graduation rate of 87%.
Samford's Current Outcome
77.7% (Fall 2014 cohort)
Source of Data
Institutional Research and Analytics
Retention Rate
Retention rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer retention rate of 85%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant retention rate of 92%
Samford's Current Outcome
87% (Fall 2019 cohort returning Fall 2020)
Source of Data
Institutional Research and Analytics
High Impact Student Practices
Participation in two or more high impact student practices by senior year.
Participation in high impact student practices is essential to the furtherance of Samford’s mission to “nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood.”
Goals
Goal: Exceed NSSE cohort.
Current options include: NSSEE 2021-2022 – 55%
Samford's Current Outcome
Based on 2022 NSSE data, 85% of Samford students participated in two or more high impact practices by senior year.
Source of Data
NSSE 2022
Professional Licensure (Nursing, Pharmacy, Law)
Narrative and Rationale for Measure
Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law represent the largest programs at Samford University and drive enrollment to a large degree. Thus, given the significant imprint on the institution, and the overall number of students enrolled, results from the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law licensure exams are key measures of student achievement.
Goals
Nursing: Minimum threshold of acceptability is 80% passage rate based on benchmarks set by CCNE and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Pharmacy: The minimum threshold of acceptability is to exceed the national average for the NAPLEX of 84%.
Law: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the American Bar Association’s ultimate bar passage rate requirement of 75%. The ultimate bar passage rate is defined as graduates who take a bar exam and pass within two years of graduation.
Samford's Current Outcome
Nursing:
- 95% NCLEX-RN first time pass rate for 2021
- 90.3% Overall pass rate for Family Nurse Practitioner graduates for class of 2021
- 92% National Certification Exam first time pass rate for Nurse Anesthesia for class of 2021
Pharmacy: Current outcome: 82% average first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX in 2021.
Law:
- Current outcome (2020 class) 97.14% ultimate bar passage rate
- One year out bar pass rate (2021 class) 92.4%
- First time taker pass rate (2022 class) 83.68%
Source of Data
Academic Programs
Undergraduate First Destination Outcomes (Employment, Continued Education, and Knowledge Rate*)
*A knowledge rate is defined as the percent of graduates for which the institution has reasonable and verifiable information concerning the graduates’ post-graduation career activities.
One focus area within Samford’s strategic plan includes an emphasis on student success. This emphasis includes a commitment to expanding undergraduate support in the Career Development Center and the enrichment of external partnerships. Undergraduate first destination outcomes demonstrate the successful transition of Samford graduates into their careers or graduate and continuing education.
Goals
Goal: Exceed southeast region
- Southeast region: 78.6% employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 64.8%.
Samford's Current Outcome
Outcomes from the May 2021, December 2021 and May 2022 Samford undergraduate class include:
- May 2021: 97% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 96.2%. •
- December 2021: 97% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 90.6%
- May 2022: 97% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 97.7%
Source of Data
National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE)
2020-2021 Measures and Outcomes for Student Achievement
Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer 6-year graduation rate of 77%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant 6-year graduation rate of 87%.
Samford's Current Outcome
78.9% (Fall 2015 cohort)
Source of Data
Institutional Research and Analytics
Retention Rate
Retention rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer retention rate of 87%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant retention rate of 93%.
Samford's Current Outcome
89.3% (Fall 2020 cohort returning Fall 2021)
Source of Data
Institutional Research and Analytics
High Impact Student Practices
Participation in high impact student practices is essential to the furtherance of Samford’s mission to “nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood.”
Goals
Goal: Exceed NSSE cohort.
Current options include: NSSEE 2020-2021 – 58%
Samford's Current Outcome
Based on 2021 NSSE data, 89% of Samford students participated in two or more high impact practices by senior year.
Source of Data
NSSE 2021
Professional Licensure (Nursing, Pharmacy, Law)
Narrative and Rationale for Measure
Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law represent the largest programs at Samford University and drive enrollment to a large degree. Thus, given the significant imprint on the institution, and the overall number of students enrolled, results from the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law licensure exams are key measures of student achievement.
Goals
Nursing: Minimum threshold of acceptability is 80% passage rate based on benchmarks set by CCNE and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Pharmacy: The minimum threshold of acceptability is to exceed the national average for the NAPLEX, which ranges 85.9 to 89.5% (past five years).
Law: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the American Bar Association’s ultimate bar passage rate requirement of 75%. The ultimate bar passage rate is defined as graduates who take a bar exam and pass within two years of graduation.
Samford's Current Outcome
Nursing:
- 92.63% NCLEX-RN first time pass rate for 2020
- 100% first time pass rate for Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam—DNP graduates for 2020
- 100% first time pass rate on Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam for 2020
- 88% National Certification Exam first time pass rate for Nurse Anesthesia for class of 2021
Pharmacy: Current outcome: 95.7% average first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX in 2020.
Law: Current outcome (2019 class) 95.59% ultimate bar passage rate.
Source of Data
Academic Programs
Undergraduate First Destination Outcomes (Employment, Continued Education, and Knowledge Rate*)
*A knowledge rate is defined as the percent of graduates for which the institution has reasonable and verifiable information concerning the graduates’ post-graduation career activities.
One focus area within Samford’s strategic plan includes an emphasis on student success. This emphasis includes a commitment to expanding undergraduate support in the Career Development Center and the enrichment of external partnerships. Undergraduate first destination outcomes demonstrate the successful transition of Samford graduates into their careers or graduate and continuing education.
Goals
Goal: Exceed southeast region
- Southeast region: 78.6% employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 64.8%.
Samford's Current Outcome
Outcomes from the May 2020, December 2020 and May 2021 Samford undergraduate class include:
- May 2020: 95% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 93.6%.
- December 2020: 96% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 91.6%.
- May 2021: 97% of Samford graduates employed, engaged in a post-graduation internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 96.2%.
Source of Data
National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE)
2019-2020 Measures and Outcomes for Student Achievement
Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer 6-year graduation rate of 74%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant 6-year graduation rate of 84%.
Samford's Current Outcome
75%
Source of Data
Institutional Research
Retention Rate
Retention rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer retention rate of 87%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant retention rate of 93%.
Samford's Current Outcome
90%
Source of Data
Institutional Research
Professional Licensure (Nursing, Pharmacy, Law)
Narrative and Rationale for Measure
Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law represent the largest programs at Samford University and drive enrollment to a large degree. Thus, given the significant imprint on the institution, and the overall number of students enrolled, results from the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law licensure exams are key measures of student achievement.
Goals
Nursing: Minimum threshold of acceptability is 80% passage rate based on benchmarks set by CCNE and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Pharmacy: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the national average. Current target is 90%, exceeding 2018 national average of 88.%.
Law: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the American Bar Association’s ultimate bar passage rate requirement of 75%. The ultimate bar passage rate is defined as graduates who take a bar exam and pass within two years of graduation.
Samford's Current Outcome
Nursing:
- 90.08% NCLEX-RN first time pass rate for 2019
- 100% first time pass rate for Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam—DNP graduates for 2019
- 90% first time pass rate for Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam—MSN graduates for 2019
- 100% first time pass rate on Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam for 2018; no 2019 results available
- 89% National Certification Exam first time pass rate for Nurse Anesthesia for class of 2020
Pharmacy: Current outcome: 88% average first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX.
Law: Current outcome (2018 class) 92% ultimate bar passage rate.
Source of Data
Academic Programs
Undergraduate First Destination Outcomes (Employment, Continued Education, and Knowledge Rate*)
One focus area within Samford’s strategic plan includes an emphasis on student success. This emphasis includes a commitment to expanding undergraduate support in the Career Development Center and the enrichment of external partnerships. Undergraduate first destination outcomes demonstrate the successful transition of Samford graduates into their careers or graduate and continuing education.
Goals
Goal: Exceed southeast region
- Southeast region: 78.6% employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 64.8%.
Samford's Current Outcome
Outcomes from the 2018 May and December Samford undergraduate class include:
- May 2019: 97% of Samford graduates are employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 98.6%.
- December 2019: 91% of Samford graduates are employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 99.2%.
Source of Data
National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE)
High Impact Student Practices
Participation in high impact student practices is essential to the furtherance of Samford’s mission to “nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood.”
Goals
Goal: Exceed NSSE cohort.
Current options include: NSSEE 2018/19 – 60%
Samford's Current Outcome
Based on 2019 NSSE data, 94% of Samford students participated in two or more high impact practices by senior year.
Source of Data
NSSE Current
2018-2019 Measures and Outcomes for Student Achievement
Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer 6-year graduation rate of 76%.
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant 6-year graduation rate of 85%.
Samford's Outcome
76%
Source of Data
Institutional Research
Retention Rate
Retention rates are commonly used student progress measures for four-year institutions.
Goals
Meet or exceed average peer retention rate of 87%
Reach goal: Meet average aspirant retention rate of 92%
Samford's Outcome
87%
Source of Data
Institutional Research
Professional Licensure (Nursing, Pharmacy, Law)
Rationale for Measure
Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law represent some of the largest programs at Samford University. Thus, given the significant imprint on the institution, and the overall number of students enrolled, results from the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law licensure exams are key measures of student achievement.
Goals
Nursing: Minimum threshold of acceptability is 80% passage rate based on benchmarks set by CCNE and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Pharmacy: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the national average. Current target is 90%, exceeding 2018 national average of 88.4%.
Law: The minimum threshold of acceptability is set to exceed the American Bar Association’s ultimate bar passage rate requirement of 75%. The ultimate bar passage rate is defined as graduates who take a bar exam and pass within two years of graduation.
Samford's Outcome
Nursing:
- 90% NCLEX-RN first time pass rate for 2018
- 97% pass rate on Family Nurse Practitioner
- Certification Exam for 2018
- 100% first time pass rate on Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam for 2018
- 92% National Certification Exam first-time pass rate for Nurse Anesthesia.
Pharmacy: Current outcome: 93% average first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX.
Law: Current outcome (2016 class) 91.6% ultimate bar passage rate.
Source of Data
Academic Programs
Undergraduate First Destination Outcomes (Employment, Continued Education, and Knowledge Rate*)
*A knowledge rate is defined as the percent of graduates for which the institution has reasonable and verifiable information concerning the graduates’ post-graduation career activities.
Rationale for Measure
One focus area within Samford’s strategic plan includes an emphasis on student success. This emphasis includes a commitment to expanding undergraduate support in the Career Development Center and the enrichment of external partnerships. Undergraduate first destination outcomes demonstrate the successful transition of Samford graduates into their careers or graduate and continuing education.
Goals
Goal: Exceed Southeast Region
The National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) has not published results from the 2018 class (forthcoming in fall 2019), but 2017 data is available for benchmarking:
- Southeast region: 78.2% employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 65.9%.
- Private institutions: 91% employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 78.5%.
Samford's Outcome
Outcomes from the 2018 May and December Samford undergraduate class include:
- May 2018: 96% of Samford graduates are employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 91%.
- December 2018: 95% of Samford graduates are employed, engaged in internship, or continuing their education. Knowledge rate of 94%.
Source of Data
NACE Data
High Impact Student Practices
Participation in two or more high impact student practices by senior year.
Rationale for Measure
Participation in high impact student practices including is essential to the furtherance of Samford’s mission to “nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood.”
Goals
Goal: Exceed Southeast Private
Current options include: Carnegie class – 51%, NSSEE 2018/19 – 60%, Southeast private – 54%
Samford's Outcome
Based on 2019 NSSE data, 94% of Samford students participated in two or more high impact practices by senior year.
Source of Data
NSSE Current
