Retention Rate

Each year, American Public University System reports its retention rate to the U.S. Department of Education. These rates measure the percentage of first time, Bachelor’s degree seeking undergraduate students who were still enrolled at American Public University System the following fall semester. Because the majority of American Public University System’s students are transfer students who have previously attended an institution of higher education, this rate only represents approximately less than one percent of the University’s student body in the Fall 2022.

The percentage of students who began their studies in Fall 2022 and were still enrolled in Fall 2023 following the Department of Education method was 94 percent for first-time, full-time Bachelor’s seeking students.

Additionally, the Department of Education requires publication of additional retention measures, specifically for first-time, full-time Associates and Undergraduate Certificate seeking students. Using the same Department of Education methodology, the rate for Associates seeking students was 93 percent and for Undergraduate Certificate seeking students was N/A.

 

Enrollment Demographics

Fall 2023 Full Time Undergraduate Student Demographics (from IPEDS 2023-2024 reporting)

Race/EthnicityPercent
Non Resident Alien2%
Hispanic or Latino16%
American Indian or Alaskan Native1%
Asian2%
Black or African American18%
Native Hawaiian1%
White48%
Multiple6%
Unknown7%
GenderPercent
Male55%
Female45%

Cohort Default Rate

American Public University's latest available (FY2021) cohort default rate, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Education, is 0.0 percent.

HEA/HEOA and PELL

PELL Grant Recipients: 72% of full-time, first-time undergraduates in academic year 2022-2023 received the PELL grant. (From College Navigator/IPEDS reporting) 

Calculation of Graduation Rates by Student Demographics
Cohort Year 2017
 CohortTotal ExclusionsTotal Completers within 150%Graduation Rate
Overall rates will be displayed on College Navigator
Cohort includes only undergraduate first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students.
Men
Nonresident Alien70686%
Hispanic/Latino6803349%
American Indian or Alaska Native1000%
Asian90444%
Black or African American8014354%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander1000%
White280114050%
Two or more races110873%
Race and Ethnicity Unknown3401750%
Total Men491225151%
  
Women
Nonresident Alien80563%
Hispanic/Latino4602554%
American Indian or Alaska Native0000%
Asian80563%
Black or African American6403555%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander303100%
White16708953%
Two or more races110873%
Race and Ethnicity Unknown2501664%
Total Women332018656%
 
Total (Men & Women)
Nonresident Alien1501173%
Hispanic/Latino11405851%
American Indian or Alaska Native1000%
Asian170953%
Black or African American14417855%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander40375%
White447122951%
Two or more races2201673%
Race and Ethnicity Unknown5903356%
Total823243753%
Calculation of Graduation Rates
Cohort Year 2017
  CohortTotal ExclusionsRevised CohortTotal Completers within 150%Graduation Rate
Cohort includes only undergraduate first-time, full-time degree-seeking students.
By Aid Received
Pell Grant Recipients393139218647%
Stafford Loan (non-Pell) Recipients531522956%
All Others377037722259%
Total823282143753%