Student Achievement
Goals for Student Achievement
Hardin-Simmons University sets goals for student achievement consistent with the mission of the university: “The mission of Hardin-Simmons University is to be a community dedicated to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.” The university’s statement of purpose includes a commitment to academic excellence while affirming the relevance and importance of the Christian faith. The university has established the following goals for student achievement and success:
Goal 1 Four-year and six-year graduation rate
The university will increase the four-year graduation rate to 50% and the six-year graduation rate to 60% by 2025. The following chart shows the four-year graduation rate and the six-year graduation rate for the previous 10 cohorts.
| *Cohort Year | 4 Year Graduation Rate | 6 Year Graduation Rate |
| 2009 | 35% | 53% |
| 2010 | 37% | 52% |
| 2011 | 35% | 51% |
| 2012 | 36% | 47% |
| 2013 | 38% | 51% |
| 2014 | 43% | 55% |
| 2015 | 40% | 52% |
| 2016 | 47% | 58% |
| 2017 | 39% | |
| 2018 | 37% |
*The cohort year indicates the Fall year in which first-year full-time students began classes at Hardin-Simmons University.
Goal 2 Retention rate
The university will increase the first-time freshman-to-sophomore retention rate to 75% by 2025. The following chart shows the first-time freshmen to sophomore retention rate for the most recent 10 years.
| Fall 2012 to Fall 2013 | 63% |
| Fall 2013 to Fall 2014 | 64% |
| Fall 2014 to Fall 2015 | 68% |
| Fall 2015 to Fall 2016 | 71% |
| Fall 2016 to Fall 2017 | 75% |
| Fall 2017 to Fall 2018 | 68% |
| Fall 2018 to Fall 2019 | 67% |
| Fall 2019 to Fall 2020 | 65% |
| Fall 2020 to Fall 2021 | 63% |
| Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 | 64% |
Goal 3: Establish a more diverse student body
Diversity within the university enhances the student experience and prepares students to be successful in an increasingly diverse cultural and global environment. HSU will increase its percentage of Hispanic students to 25% by 2025 to qualify as a Hispanic-serving institution under federal law and will increase the percentage of African-American students to 12% by 2025. The following chart shows the percentages of African-American and Hispanic students for the last ten years.
| Percentage of Hispanic Students |
Percentage of African-American Students |
|
| Fall 2013 | 14.3% | 6.3% |
| Fall 2014 | 14.2% | 7.1% |
| Fall 2015 | 14.6% | 6.8% |
| Fall 2016 | 16.3% | 7.0% |
| Fall 2017 | 17.9% | 8.0% |
| Fall 2018 | 18.1% | 8.9% |
| Fall 2019 | 19.3% | 10.2% |
| Fall 2020 | 21.8% | 11.5% |
| Fall 2021 | 22.1% | 11.3% |
| Fall 2022 | 23.9% | 10.9% |
