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%