A Transformational Education Breeds Success
Saint Leo University prides itself on its student-centered education model. For us, the success of our community is measured on academic progress, completions, and career-related success. These benchmarks are a testament to the value of a Saint Leo education. See some of our student outcomes below.
Saint Leo University Student Achievement
As a student-centered teaching university, Saint Leo University is committed to ensuring that students reach their academic and professional goals. In accordance with this mission, Saint Leo measures student achievement based on academic progress, completions, and career-related success.
Retention Rate
IPEDS Retention Rate: Saint Leo University uses the IPEDS fall-to-fall retention rate for first-time bachelor’s degree-seeking students.
Saint Leo University’s goal is to attain a 1-percentage point increase, year-over-year, over the 2021 benchmark, but no less than the 2021 cohort rate.
- Threshold: 54%
- Fall 2021 cohort rate (benchmark): 54%
- Goal by 2028: 59%
- Fall 2023 cohort rate: 59.3%
Retention of First-Time Bachelor’s Degree-Seeking Students
| Measure | Fall 2019 Cohort | Fall 2020 Cohort | Fall 2021 Cohort (Benchmark) | Fall 2022 Cohort | Fall 2023 Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retention Rate | 64% | 57% | 54% | 57.7% | 59.3% |
Graduation Rates
IPEDS Graduation Rate: Saint Leo University uses the IPEDS graduation rate for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students within 150% of normal time to program completion.
Saint Leo University’s goal is to attain a 1-percentage point increase, year-over-year, over the 2015 IPEDS cohort benchmark. Saint Leo University’s threshold is to maintain a minimum 45% graduation rate, which is the most recent SACSCOC Completion Indicator.*
IPEDS Graduation Rate: Measures completion within 150% of normal time.
- Threshold: 45%
- 2015 benchmark: 46%
- Goal by 2028: 51%
- 2017 cohort: 49%
Graduation Rates
| Cohort | Entering 2015 | Entering 2016 | Entering 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 46% | 49% | 49% |
Divisional Graduation Rates: Internally benchmarked rate for identified Saint Leo student divisions
The target is for a 1 percentage point increase, year-over-year, over the benchmark, but no less than the benchmark.
Divisional Graduation Rates - Undergraduate
| Division | Entering 2015 (Benchmark) | Entering 2016 | Entering 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate – University Campus | 48% | 50% | 53% |
| Undergraduate – Online | 18% | 20% | 21% |
Divisional Graduation Rates - Graduate
| Division | Entering 2018 | Entering 2019 | Entering 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate (Combined) | 54% | 53% | 60% |
* SACSCOC requires that institutions identify a student completion indicator. Saint Leo University has chosen the IPEDS Traditional Overall Graduation Rate, which captures completion data for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students within 150% of normal time to program completion
Course Completion
Saint Leo monitors course completion as a measure of student progress toward degree completion. Saint Leo University considers successful undergraduate course completion to be a “C” or better; for graduate courses, a B- represents successful completion. The institution considers year-over-year consistency important in this measure, and expects outcomes to fluctuate no more than -1/+1 percentage point, but be no less than the median of the previous five years.
| Division | Target | Five-Year Median | 2024 Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate – Campus | 80%-82% | 81% | 80% |
| Undergraduate – Online | 76%-78% | 75% | 78% |
| Graduate – Campus | 90%-92% | 90% | 91% |
| Graduate – Online | 93%-95% | 93% | 94% |
Career Outcomes
Saint Leo University measures career-related success both during enrollment and upon graduation. Sources used to monitor career-related achievements include:
- University Explorations (general education) Course Completion
- Senior Exit Survey University Explorations Career-related Items
- Annual Program Performance Report (APPR): Florida Department of Education Data.
University Explorations Course Completion
Saint Leo monitors course completion in its University Explorations general education courses as a measure of student progress toward degree completion. Saint Leo University considers successful course completion to be a “C” or better. The institution considers year-over-year consistency important in this measure, and expects outcomes to fluctuate no more than -1/+1 percentage point, but be no less than the median of the previous five years.
| Division | Target | Five-Year Median | 2024 Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate – Campus | 72%-74% | 75% | 73% |
| Undergraduate – Online | 66%-68% | 66% | 68% |
University Explorations Senior Exit Survey Career-Related Items
Several items on the Senior Exit Survey are used to evaluate student achievement using indirect assessment methods. The target is a score, overall and for each individual item, of at or above 3.0 on a 4-point Likert Scale.
| Division / Survey Item | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Campus (On-ground) | 3.34 | 3.54 | 3.43 | 3.39 | 3.35 |
| I used critical thinking skills | 3.28 | 3.57 | 3.40 | 3.29 | 3.29 |
| I used quantitative skills | 3.09 | 3.43 | 3.29 | 3.25 | 3.10 |
| Knowledge of diverse populations and belief systems | 3.39 | 3.57 | 3.38 | 3.49 | 3.54 |
| Communicated clearly using multiple media types | 3.51 | 3.63 | 3.59 | 3.44 | 3.46 |
| Decision-making based on critical thinking and core values | 3.43 | 3.51 | 3.49 | 3.46 | 3.38 |
| Division / Survey Item | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online (Overall) | 3.72 | 3.73 | 3.76 | 3.79 | 3.75 |
| I used critical thinking skills (Online) | 3.76 | 3.76 | 3.83 | 3.83 | 3.81 |
| I used quantitative skills (Online) | 3.66 | 3.66 | 3.72 | 3.76 | 3.69 |
| Knowledge of diverse populations and belief systems (Online) | 3.78 | 3.78 | 3.78 | 3.79 | 3.85 |
| Communicated clearly using multiple media types (Online) | 3.67 | 3.70 | 3.73 | 3.75 | 3.77 |
| Decision-making based on critical thinking and core values (Online) | 3.74 | 3.77 | 3.76 | 3.80 | 3.63 |
Education Program Annual Program Performance Report (APPR) Outcomes
The Annual Program Performance Report (APPR) is an annual public report card issued by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) on each state-approved teacher preparation program, and measures the effectiveness of a program based on the performance of program completers. APPR overall scores are calculated and awarded by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) each year, and are based on outcome-based performance categories, including candidate employment rate after graduation; retention in employment in Florida public schools 5 years after graduation; graduates’ student performance on state assessments; graduates’ student achievement on state assessments by subgroup; and graduates’ annual teacher the evaluation process.
The threshold of acceptability is set at 2.5 by the Florida Department of Education. However, Saint Leo's
target is 2.8, as established by the institution's education department faculty
| Program | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Exceptional Student Education | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Middle Grades English | 2.6 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Middle Grades Social Science | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.7 | N/A | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Reading | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Saint Leo University Degree Programs and CIP Listings
Saint Leo University offers a wide range of academic programs designed to prepare students for meaningful careers and lifelong learning. Each program is aligned with a designated Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, to ensure consistency in tracking, reporting, and planning across institutions. The following document provides a comprehensive list of Saint Leo’s degree programs and their corresponding CIP codes.
Testimonials about Outcomes
"Saint Leo's online MBA program in Supply Chain Management provided me the opportunity for flexible learning alongside other supply chain professionals in my industry. With this MBA, I expanded upon educational and professional abilities within the field of Supply Chain Operations."
Paige Holt- MBA Student specializing in Supply Chain Management
Paige is one of our MBA students who has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Leo's online MBA program in Supply Chain Management.
“Learning ignites my passion to seek and find information that intrigues my soul, spirit, and mind. Education at Saint Leo University has had an extremely positive influence on my life and my development as a person. It has made me more confident and enabled me to steer into my destiny. Saint Leo University has provided me with different learning experiences that has enabled me to branch out and work with people effectively. It has helped me develop a great amount of self-discipline and, aside from teaching me some very important life skills, Saint Leo University has opened many doors for my future.”
Karen Sislava Reyes - MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
Karen came to Saint Leo from Flagler College where she earned her undergraduate accounting degree. Karen has worked as an intern for CliftonLarsonAllen. She plans on sitting for the CPA exam this year and will then pursue a doctorate degree.
''As a graduate now pursuing my masters of science in accounting, I’m even more thankful for how well Saint leo equipped me and not just educationally but as a leader, student, and even on a personal level. It is truly a privilege to have been taught by professors whose efforts go beyond the classroom.”
Tayhana Taylor - Undergrad Bachelor of Science- Accounting
Tayhana has completed four prestigious internships, including two with the BIG 4 CPA firms of Ernst & Young and Deloitte in New York City. These internships were highly competitive, and Tayhana engaged in both audit and tax while in these roles, gaining experience with leading-edge accounting protocols. She has been offered a full-time position with Deloitte in 2025. Tayhana has published three articles with faculty in the Tapia College of Business. The most recent titled, "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Airline Industry," was published in the Journal of Finance and Accountancy in Fall 2023
Saint Leo University has truly been a stepping stone for me. When I entered this university 4 years ago, I was unaware of what I’d be like when I left. Now, 3 weeks away from graduating, I am so thankful that I was a student here. Your time at Saint Leo University is what you make of it, and Saint Leo students are provided with so much opportunity to succeed.
O'shea Williams - Bachelor of Arts Developmental Psychology
“Saint Leo is not just an academic institution, it’s a formation institution. Saint Leo embraced me for who I am, showed faith that I could be my best, and solidified the light that was shining within me.”
Charles Onyeneke ’17
University Campus, Theology
“As a child, my great-grandmother taught me how to pray and to lean on God. Saint Leo inspired us all to learn with compassion and reminded me to keep the faith.”
Brent Patterson ’21
Center for Online Learning, Religious Studies
