MSUM retention, graduation rates increase and show need for continued emphasis on closing equity gaps
Fall-to-Fall Retention for Minnesota State University Moorhead students reached 74.9% this fall, the highest rate since 2018, while the Six-Year Graduation rate reached an all-time high of 56.8%. This progress is due to the dedicated efforts of our university community supporting our students’ success and reflects the continued progress MSUM has made toward its retention and graduation goals over the past several years.
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MSUM’s 74.9% retention rate for first-time undergraduate students from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024 is up from 72.0% last year and 71.8% the year prior.
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This is MSUM’s highest fall-to-fall retention rate since 2018 and reflects substantial progress toward the university goal of achieving 76% fall-to-fall retention by 2024.
Progress also continues to be made toward the university’s four-year and six-year graduation rates.
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Four-year graduation rates for first-time undergraduate students who started in Fall 2020 were fairly steady at 39.7%, despite the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on this cohort’s academic career.
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The university’s four-year graduation rate goal is to achieve 40% by 2025.
Six-year graduation rates for students who started in Fall 2018 rose to an all-time high of 56.8%.
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This exceeded the university’s goal of 55% by 2025.
Details regarding MSUM retention and graduation rates, including a NEW Interactive Retention Dashboard, are available on MSUM’s Enrollment Retention Efforts webpage. Thank you for the role each of you plays in this important initiative.
Building Toward Equity 2030
These retention and graduation rates also illustrate that equity gaps persist and, in some cases, are widening—specifically among first-generation students, students of color, and Pell-eligible students. MSUM is deeply committed to reducing these disparities and fostering a more inclusive environment for all our students, in alignment with our core mission and the Minnesota State Equity 2030 initiative.
We strongly encourage all faculty and staff to explore and engage in professional development opportunities that align with both university-wide and departmental goals. One key initiative currently underway is Equity by Design, an intentional effort to embed equity-driven strategies and best practices within our courses and departments. This initiative is now being expanded through a train-the-trainer model, with faculty representatives from each college, alongside their respective deans, participating in specialized training. Starting this spring, these trained faculty members will lead similar training sessions for their peers, helping to scale these practices across the university. While many of these changes may seem small, their cumulative impact on students can be profound, contributing to the overall success of our university.
Additionally, our University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is in the process of assessing the 2022-2025 DEI Strategic Plan. The committee will be working towards creating actionable recommendations for the upcoming academic year. We encourage you to continue leveraging this plan, along with other relevant strategies, to support retention and success efforts within your field.
If you have questions or would like more information on how you can contribute to this critical work, reach out to Campus Diversity Officer Jered Pigeon at 218-477-2047 or jered.pigeon@mnstate.edu.