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.
Inspirational Saint Leo University Success Stories
Career Outcomes
Saint Leo University measures career-related success both during your enrollment and upon graduation. Sources used to monitor career-related achievements include 1) University Explorations (general education) Course Completion, 2) Senior Exit Survey University Explorations Career-related Items, and 3) Annual Program Performance Report (APPR): Florida Department of Education Data.
96%
Of Students Report Developing a Strong Decision-Making Process Based on Critical Thinking and Values
98%
Of Students Report Learning to Communicate Clearly and Effectively Using Multiple Types of Media
97%
Of Students Report Demonstrating Knowledge of Diverse Populations, Beliefs, Values, and Norms
University Explorations (General Education) Course Completion
University Explorations is Saint Leo’s general education program. General education is a vital part of a student’s course of study as it informs, deepens, and extends learning beyond the major. The program cultivates in students essential skills in critical thinking and decision-making, effective communication, problem-solving, analysis, and creativity.
Ultimately, successful course completion matters because it is a measure of student progress toward degree completion. Saint Leo University considers successful course completion to be a “C” or better.
| COHORT | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (-1/+1 PERCENTAGE POINT COMPARED TO BENCHMARK) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (FIVE-YEAR MEDIAN) | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS | ||||||||
| University Campus (on-ground) | 83% | 84% | 86% | 85% | 83% | 82-84% | 84% | 83% |
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 80% | 77% | 78% | 76% | 75% | 74-76% | 77% | 75% |
| Online | 70% | 68% | 62% | 67% | 65% | 64-66% | 67% | 68% |
| Military (all) | 83% | 82% | 81% | 81% | 80% | 79-81% | 81% | 81% |
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/threshold of acceptability is a score, overall and for each individual item, at or above 3.0 on a 4-point Likert Scale.
| COHORT | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CAMPUS (ON-GROUND) | 3.50 | 3.56 | 3.54 | 3.44 | 3.40 | 3.34 |
| I used critical thinking skills. | 3.46 | 3.54 | 3.49 | 3.40 | 3.38 | 3.28 |
| I used quantitative skills. | 3.45 | 3.54 | 3.47 | 3.36 | 3.34 | 3.09 |
| I demonstrated a knowledge of diverse populations, differing beliefs systems, values, and norms. | 3.54 | 3.56 | 3.58 | 3.50 | 3.43 | 3.39 |
| I was able to communicate clearly and effectively using multiple types of media. | 3.54 | 3.58 | 3.61 | 3.48 | 3.45 | 3.51 |
| I developed a decision making process based on critical thinking and core values. | 3.49 | 3.57 | 3.55 | 3.46 | 3.39 | 3.43 |
| COHORT | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDUCATION CENTERS | 3.72 | 3.74 | 3.74 | 3.68 | 3.71 | 3.72 |
| I used critical thinking skills. | 3.77 | 3.80 | 3.79 | 3.74 | 3.75 | 3.77 |
| I used quantitative skills. | 3.68 | 3.71 | 3.73 | 3.64 | 3.66 | 3.69 |
| I demonstrated a knowledge of diverse populations, differing beliefs systems, values, and norms. | 3.76 | 3.76 | 3.80 | 3.75 | 3.80 | 3.74 |
| I was able to communicate clearly and effectively using multiple types of media. | 3.70 | 3.74 | 3.69 | 3.62 | 3.68 | 3.72 |
| I developed a decision making process based on critical thinking and core values. | 3.67 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 3.65 | 3.65 | 3.69 |
| COHORT | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONLINE | 3.80 | 3.82 | 3.75 | 3.81 | 3.72 | 3.72 |
| I used critical thinking skills. | 3.85 | 3.84 | 3.78 | 3.85 | 3.80 | 3.76 |
| I used quantitative skills. | 3.75 | 3.77 | 3.73 | 3.79 | 3.60 | 3.66 |
| I demonstrated a knowledge of diverse populations, differing beliefs systems, values, and norms. | 3.82 | 3.85 | 3.73 | 3.83 | 3.73 | 3.78 |
| I was able to communicate clearly and effectively using multiple types of media. | 3.83 | 3.82 | 3.74 | 3.79 | 3.67 | 3.67 |
| I developed a decision making process based on critical thinking and core values. | 3.76 | 3.82 | 3.76 | 3.78 | 3.80 | 3.74 |
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 five years after graduation
- Graduate student performance on state assessments; achievement on state assessments by subgroup; and annual teacher 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 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.4 |
| Exceptional Student Education | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 |
| Middle Grades English Education | 3.0 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 3.2 |
| Middle Grades Social Science Education | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.5 |
| Reading | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
Fall-to-Fall Retention
IPEDS First Time in College (FTIC) Retention
We track retention rates of first-time freshmen using the IPEDS system. IPEDS, also known as Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, is a system of surveys that helps track full-time, FTIC undergraduate students using reenrollment rates on a fall-to-fall cycle.
72%
Of First-Time-in-College Students Retain from Year to Year
66%
Of On-Campus Undergraduate Students Retain from Year to Year
75%
Of Education Center Graduate Students Retain from Year to Year
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Academic success resources are here to help you excel.
Do not let academic challenges hold you back from reaching your goals. We are here to provide resources and support and have helped students find their way to success year after year.
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Need help finding funding for your education?
We want all of our students to be able to afford their education. That is why our financial aid staff works with you to ensure you do not let your financials become a barrier to pursuing your degree. Let us help you navigate your financial aid options.
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IPEDS First Time in College (FTIC) Retention
To track retention of first-time freshmen, Saint Leo University uses the IPEDS traditional fall-to-fall retention rates for full-time, FTIC undergraduate students using reenrollment rates on a fall-to-fall cycle.
| IPEDS FIRST-TIME, FULL-TIME COHORT (FTIC) | FTIC RETENTION RATES |
|---|---|
| 2014 IPEDS Retention Rate | 69% |
| 2015 IPEDS Retention Rate | 68% |
| 2016 IPEDS Retention Rate | 71% |
| 2017 IPEDS Retention Rate (benchmark) | 72% |
| 2018 IPEDS Retention Rate | 72% |
| Target (2 percentage points increase over benchmark by 2021) | 74% |
| Threshold of Acceptability (five-year median) | 71% |
| 2019 SLU IPEDS FTIC Retention Rate | 72% |
| 2019 IPEDS Peer FTIC Retention Rate | 72% |
Internally Benchmarked Retention Rates
We also internally benchmark retention rates for other student cohorts using reenrollment rates on a fall-to-fall cycle, using the same IPEDS methodology.
| UNDERGRADUATE | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (2 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE OVER BENCHMARK BY 2021) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (MEDIAN OF THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS) | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Campus (on-ground) | 69% | 71% | 73% | 72% | 73% | 75% | 72% | 70% |
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 65% | 63% | 59% | 57% | 57% | 59% | 59% | 50% |
| Online | 48% | 41% | 28% | 38% | 35% | 37% | 38% | 31% |
| Military (all) | 50% | 45% | 46% | 54% | 48% | 50% | 48% | 48% |
| GRADUATE | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (2 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE OVER BENCHMARK BY 2021) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (MEDIAN OF THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS) | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Campus (on-ground) | NA | |||||||
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 72% | 65% | 74% | 64% | 59% | 61% | 65% | 80% |
| Online | 68% | 67% | 67% | 69% | 67% | 69% | 67% | 68% |
| Military (all) | 69% | 63% | 60% | 55% | 60% | 62% | 60% | 64% |
Graduation Rates
Our graduation rates are an important metric that we use to measure the successful outcomes of our students. We are committed to seeing our community of learners graduate on time, and we offer a variety of resources available to help each student successfully earn their degree.
IPEDS Graduation Rates
SACSCOC Completion Indicator/IPEDS Graduation Rates
We use our IPEDS Traditional Overall Graduation Rate to monitor and evaluate student achievement. The IPEDS Traditional Overall Graduation Rate captures completion data for a first-time, full-time degree-seeking freshman cohort for 150 percent standard time.
| IPEDS COHORT | GRADUATION RATES |
|---|---|
| 2014 SLU IPEDS Graduation Rate | 46% |
| 2015 SLU IPEDS Graduation Rate | 45% |
| 2016 SLU IPEDS Graduation Rate | 45% |
| 2017 SLU IPEDS Graduation Rate (benchmark) | 40% |
| 2018 SLU IPEDS Graduation Rate | 48% |
| Target (2 percentage points increase over benchmark by 2021) | 42% |
| Threshold of Acceptability (five-year median) | 45% |
| 2019 SLU IPEDS Graduation Rate | 51% |
| SACSCOC SLU Completion Indicator | 45% |
| SACSCOC Peer Completion Indicator | 44% |
Internally Benchmarked Graduation Rates
The IPEDS cohort tends to be composed of younger students who have recently graduated from high school, whereas many students at Saint Leo University are older, working adults with families who have transferred to Saint Leo from other institutions. As we are concerned about student achievement for all students, the institution also internally evaluates graduation rates for other student cohorts, which include graduate, transfer, and part-time students.
| UNDERGRADUATE | ENTERING 2007 | ENTERING 2008 | ENTERING 2009 | ENTERING 2010 | ENTERING 2011 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (2 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE OVER BENCHMARK BY 2021) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (FIVE-YEAR MEDIAN) | ENTERING 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Campus (on-ground) | 53% | 47% | 48% | 48% | 52% | 54% | 48% | 55% |
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 64% | 59% | 61% | 59% | 57% | 59% | 59% | 58% |
| Online | 26% | 30% | 26% | 24% | 29% | 31% | 26% | 30% |
| Military (all) | 44% | 34% | 33% | 44% | 49% | 51% | 44% | 45% |
| GRADUATE | ENTERING 2010 | ENTERING 2011 | ENTERING 2012 | ENTERING 2013 | ENTERING 2014 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (2 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE OVER BENCHMARK BY 2021) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (FIVE-YEAR MEDIAN) | ENTERING 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Campus (on-ground) | NA | |||||||
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 55% | 58% | 41% | 49% | 58% | 60% | 55% | 54% |
| Online | 56% | 52% | 57% | 52% | 51% | 53% | 52% | 53% |
| Military (all) | 54% | 54% | 55% | 54% | 58% | 60% | 54% | 50% |
Course Completion
Ultimately, successful course completion matters because it is a measure of student progress toward degree completion. Saint Leo University considers successful course completion to be a “C” or better. As many short-term factors impact course completion, the institution considers year-over-year consistency important in this measure and expects outcomes to be -1/+1 compared to the benchmark at or above the median of the previous five years. The table below provides current completion data from the 2018-
80%
Of Undergraduate Students Complete Course Requirements Each Year
92%
Of Graduate Students Complete Course Requirements Each Year
93%
Of Online Students Complete Course Requirements Each Year
Undergraduate Course Completion
| COHORT | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (-1/+1 PERCENTAGE POINT COMPARED TO BENCHMARK) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (MEDIAN OF THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS) | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS | ||||||||
| University Campus (on-ground) | 85% | 86% | 87% | 86% | 87% | 86-88% | 86% | 87% |
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 83% | 81% | 82% | 81% | 81% | 80-82% | 81% | 80% |
| Online | 76% | 75% | 71% | 73% | 73% | 72-74% | 73% | 75% |
| Military (all) | 85% | 83% | 83% | 82% | 82% | 81-83% | 83% | 83% |
Graduate Course Completion
| COHORT | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 (BENCHMARK) | TARGET (-1/+1 PERCENTAGE POINT COMPARED TO BENCHMARK) | THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY (MEDIAN OF THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS) | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRADUATE STUDENTS | ||||||||
| University Campus (on-ground) | NA | |||||||
| Education Centers (on-ground) | 93% | 93% | 93% | 91% | 93% | 92-94% | 93% | 92% |
| Online | 93% | 93% | 93% | 93% | 93% | 92-94% | 93% | 93% |
| Military (all) | 94% | 94% | 93% | 92% | 92% | 91-93% | 93% | 92% |
Testimonials about Outcomes
"Saint Leo's Creative Writing MA program helped me immensely as a reader and a writer. Learning to read not only what is in a story, but paying careful attention to how it's written, is just one of the memorable gifts I received from this program's helpful faculty and encouraging environment."
Janna Correa, (Fiction, 2022)
This program allows growth as a writer and as a person. The experience was absurdly personal. Absurd because of the organic evolution fostered by its leadership and absurd because of the personal touches from the instructors. Why expect that? St. Leo is invested in its students. You get more than you bargained for.
Jimmy Sutman, (Poetry, 2022)
It can be intimidating to go back to school after decades of being in the workforce. But as a non-traditional student, I felt nothing but a warm welcome from Saint Leo faculty and my classmates. I started my first semester at another university and wasn't happy. I transferred to Saint Leo and learned more than I could have ever imagined in this program. Best decision I ever made. Thanks to my studies there, I'm getting ready to release my first book at the end of this year!
Lisa Moody, (Nonfiction, 2021)
Being a part of the Creative Writing program at Saint Leo was the right choice for me, as it allowed me to pursue my degree from another state while also working a full-time job. I was still able to have the invaluable experience of connecting with a group of like-minded writers through the in-person residency, and I still maintain those relationships today. Through your coursework in this program, you will both read and write quality work and have constant support and encouragement from professors who really do care about your future as a writer.
Susan Abercrombie, (Nonfiction, 2021)
I enjoyed the close-knit literary community that Saint Leo University provided in the Creative Writing Nonfiction program. The instructors are a very experienced, passionate, and supportive group. I am a confident and better writer because of the workshops, the effective and inspiring feedback from faculty, and peer support.
Tisha Arther, (Nonfiction, 2022)
When I started the MA in Creative Writing at Saint Leo University, I didn't know what to expect and I didn't know if I would be able to fit into the program. After I left my first day of residency, I never questioned the absolute certainty that I had finally found where I belonged as a writer. The faculty were knowledgeable and encouraging, my peers were talented and welcoming, and the university offered an experience catered to my success. Participating in this program absolutely changed the trajectory of my life - as both a student and educator.
Danielle Knight, (Fiction, 2020)
