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2019 School and Student Characteristics and Outcomes
School and Student Characteristics and
Student Achievement Outcomes
One of the many ways that ACCSC verifies the effectiveness of its work and that of
the programs and services offered by ACCSC-accredited institutions is through
detailed analysis of school characteristics and performance data. The Commission
recently completed its analysis of the 2018 Annual Report and found once again
that its accredited institutions continue to demonstrate significant institutional and
student success through their rates of student graduation and graduate
employment attainment.
These data are important indicators and are used by ACCSC to better understand
its accredited institutions and the trends associated with career education, as well
as to develop the Commission’s accountability standards.
The information contained in this report is a summary of the key data points from
the 2018 ACCSC Annual Report and provides detailed information pertaining to
ACCSC school characteristics, student characteristics, program characteristics, and
student achievement rates and trends.
Sincerely,
Michale S. McComis, Ed.D.
Executive Director
2
Student Demographics
Overall, the analysis of the 2018 Annual Report data shows that student enrollment increased for the
first time in three years. The increase is, in part, due to the number of schools who transitioned to
ACCSC in 2017-2018 completing the Annual Report for the first time. Although the student
population has increased, student demographics remain consistent. Based upon data submitted in
the Annual Report, ACCSC-accredited institutions and their students show the following
characteristics:
78% of the schools had 300 or fewer students as of June 30, 2018. Average enrollment as of June
30, 2018 was 235 students.
The majority of institutions are in metropolitan areas with
populations of at least 250,000.
46% of the students are under the age 25 and 35% of the
students are in the age group 25-34.
Student population is almost evenly distributed with regard to
gender, although the percentage of male students (53%) is still
higher, the percentage of female students (47%) enrolled
increased 3% over last year.
61% of classified students represent ethnic minority groups.
These figures show that ACCSC-accredited institutions continue to provide training in small school
formats and serve a large percentage of non-traditional and ethnic minority students in urban and
suburban settings.
Program Characteristics
With respect to the types of programs offered by ACCSC-accredited institutions, schools submitted
summary information for 4,060 programs in over 120 different occupational areas. Key characteristics
include the following:
47% of ACCSC-accredited institutions offer a degree program, a 5% increase;
o 38% of all programs offered at ACCSC-accredited institutions are degree programs.
Of the 1,528 reported degree programs, 1,148 are associate degrees (75%), 324 are baccalaureate
degrees (21%), and 56 are master’s degrees (4%).
56% of students are enrolled in non-degree programs, 26% of students are enrolled in associate
degree programs (a 3% increase over the previous year), 16% of students are enrolled in
baccalaureate degree programs, and 2% of students are enrolled in master’s degree programs.
With more schools reporting data for the 2018 Annual Report, the total number of programs with
reportable enrollments represents a 14% increase over the prior year. The most notable increase was
in the number of degree programs with a 5% increase over the previous year. The increase was
largely due to the increase in the number of associate degrees, up 4% over the previous year.
Member institutions continue to assess program offerings and adapt to the changing needs of
ACCSC-Accredited Schools serve
Metropolitan Areas
Non-Traditional and
Minority Populations
In Small School Settings
3
prospective students and to meet the needs of community employers, often discontinuing programs
no longer needed by the local employment community. The overall percentage of ACCSC degree
granting institutions was 47%, (a 5% increase). Although several ACCSC schools added degrees for
the first time in FY2019, predominately the increase in the number of degree-granting schools was
due to the by the new schools joining ACCSC that were largely degree-granting institutions.
Graduate programs continue to represent a small portion of the degree offerings (4%) and degree
program enrollments (2%).
Institutional Characteristics
The number of school reporting was 674 schools, a 9% increase over 2017 and represents the first
increase in the number of schools reporting since 2015. Total student enrollment has been trending
downward since 2010; however, the total student enrollment (158,688) in 2018 is the first increase in
enrollment since 2010, representing a 10% increase over 2017.
4
155,037
144,905
158,688
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
160,000
170,000
2016 2017 2018
Enrollment as of June 30, 2018
Based
on
65
1 A
nn
ual R
epo
rts
Based
on
61
9 A
nn
ual R
epo
rts
Based
on
67
4 A
nn
ual R
epo
rts
300 or Less Students78%
301-600 Students16%
601-900 Students4%
901 + Students2%
Institution Size By Student Enrollment
Based on 674 Annual
Reports Submitted
Average Enrollment = 235
Students
5
Metro Level A - 1 Million or Greater
32%
Metro Level B -250,000 to 999,999
24%
Metro Level C -100,000 to 249,999
18%
Metro Level D - Less than 100,000
8%
Urbanized Area -50,000 or Greater
7%
Urban Cluster - 2,500 to 49,999
11%
Distribution of All Schools by Population Area
Based on 674 Annual
Reports Submitted
Average Reported Household Median Income = $54,950
Average Reported Unemployment Rate = 4.6 %
1163
448
393
300
293
231
158
152
140
133
117
97
92
77
70
50
50
42
29
25
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Allied Health
Building & Industrial Trades
Automotive/Motorcycle/Marine
Business & Business Related
Beauty & Skin Care
Information Technology
Nursing & Health Aide
Legal & Security
Holistic Arts & Sciences
Radio, Television, Motion Pictures
Art-Commercial & Industrial
Heavy Equipment Operator & Truck Driver
Culinary Arts
Aviation
Specialized Fields
Electronics
Art-Fine
Veterinary Science & Animal Related Arts
Architecture, Engineering, & Drafting
Fashion & Interior Design
Distribution of Programs by Program Area
Based on 4,060
Programs
w/Enrollments ≥ 1 for
the Reporting Year
6
Under 2546%
25-3435%
35-4413%45 & Over
6%
Distribution of All Students By Age
Based on 158,688
Reported Students
Male53%
Female47%
Distribution of All Students By Gender
Based on 158,688
Reported Students
7
White39%
Hispanic or Latino29%
Black or African American
26%Asian5%
American Indian or Alaska Native
1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Distribution of All Students By Ethnicity
Based on 135,603
Reported and
Classified Students
Certificate / Diploma62%
Associate Degree28%
Baccalaureate Degree8%
Master's Degree1%
Distribution of Programs By Credential
Based on 4060
Program
Enrollment
Summaries
Total Percentage of Degree
Programs = 38%
8
Offers a Degree Program
47%
Does Not Offer a Degree Program
53%
Percentage of Schools Which Offer Degree
Programs
Based On 674
Annual Reports
2
5
9
6
31
3
17
32
37
238
40
103
122
229
241
413
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Master of Public Health
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Business Administration
Master of Arts
Master of Science
Master of Education
Bachelor of Applied Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA, BGA)
Bachelor of Science (BS, BSN, BHS)
Associate of Arts
Associate of Applied or Specialized Business
Associate of Specialized Technology
Associate of Science
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS, OAD)
Associate of Applied Science
Distribution of Degree Programs By Credential
1,148 Associate
324 Baccalaureate
56 Master's Degrees
Based on 1,528
Total Reported
Degree
Programs
9
41
332
138
407
1,417
26
237
690
1,972
22,725
912
1,688
3,024
9,207
14,735
11,695
89,442
Master of Public Health
Master of Business Administration
Master of Arts
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Science
Master of Education
Bachelor of Applied Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA, BGA)
Bachelor of Science (BS, BSN, BHS)
Associate of Arts
Associate of Applied or Specialized
Business
Associate of Specialized Technology
Associate of Science
Associate of Applied Science
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS,
OAD)
Non-Degree
Distribution of Student Enrollment By Program
Credential
26% - Associate Degrees
16% - Baccalaureate
2% - Master's Degrees
56% - Non-
Degree Programs
Based on 4,060 Total
Reported Programs
158,688 Students
10
38602
18648
18597
11632
10633
9890
7922
7668
7157
5262
4240
3189
2609
2528
2427
2397
2138
1856
853
440
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
Allied Health
Automotive/Motorcycle/Marine
Building & Industrial Trades
Radio, Television, Motion Pictures
Nursing & Health Aide
Art-Commercial & Industrial
Business & Business Related
Beauty & Skin Care
Aviation
Information Technology
Holistic Arts & Sciences
Culinary Arts
Heavy Equipment Operator & Truck Driver
Veterinary Science & Animal Related Arts
Legal & Security
Specialized Fields
Electronics
Art-Fine
Architecture, Engineering, & Drafting
Fashion & Interior Design
Enrollment by Program Area
Based on 4,060 Total
Reported Programs
158,688 Students
11
Student Achievement Outcomes
The Commission first promulgated the quantitative student achievement standards in 1998 based
upon several studies conducted by the Center on Education and Training for Employment at the
Ohio State University. During 2002, the Commission engaged in a comprehensive study of the
student achievement requirements promulgated in 1998 and the associated processes of data
collection and verification. The Commission continues to review comparative data and make
adjustments to the methodology for the analysis of student achievement outcomes in order to
ensure sound data collection and analysis.
As part of its ongoing commitment to assessing student achievement in its accredited schools and
the tools used to do so, during the 2015 Annual Report year, the Commission conducted an 11-year
longitudinal study of the graduation and employment rates report from 2005 to 2015 in the ACCSC
Annual Report. The Commission noted that longitudinal data showed little variation from ACCSC’s
benchmark review using three-year rolling increments. Thus establishing the stability, predictability,
and reliability of the rates used in establishing ACCSC’s benchmark rates.
Also, as part of its systematic program of review, the National Center for Higher Education
Management Systems reviewed ACCSC’s student achievement standards, practices, and the
longitudinal study and found that “[t]aken together, these features provide considerable confidence
in the soundness and appropriateness of ACCSC’s general approach to establishing quantitative
performance criteria on selected student outcomes measures.”
Previously, the Commission re-calculated student achievement benchmark rates every three years
using a rolling average. Because the longitudinal data and study show no significant variation from
the current benchmarks (with one exception), the Commission
established the results of the 11-year longitudinal study as the basis
for its new student achievement rates. The one exception is in
programs 24 months in length or longer. This group of programs
exhibits the largest variability and range of graduation rate
outcomes. Once that variability was controlled for, the rate
stabilized at 40%, which the Commission believes is an appropriate
trigger for further monitoring in these longer programs. The
established rates are semi-permanent meaning that while the
Commission will continue to study and assess the reported rates
of student achievement regularly, the Commission does not intend to adjust the rates unless the
data suggest that an adjustment is warranted. A review of the most recent three-year data (2016-
2018) found the graduation benchmarks continue to be consistent with the longitudinal study.
With regard to the employment rate, the Commission’s 11-year longitudinal data and study yielded
a 70% benchmark, which the Commission adopted. The employment rate for all programs was
previously 70% and was only lowered due to the impact of the economic recession. The data show
that employment rates overall have risen and thus found resetting the employment rate benchmark
at 70% to be appropriate.
A review of the most recent
three-year data (2016-2018)
found the graduation benchmarks
continue to be consistent with
the longitudinal study.
12
While graduation and employment rates play an integral role in an institution’s on-going
programmatic and institutional assessment plan, an additional area that demonstrates student
learning outcomes includes pass rates on licensing/certification examinations required for
employment. The Commission has collected licensure/certification examination pass rate data
through the Annual Report over the 11-year period and now requires schools to demonstrate a
minimum 70% pass rate on licensure/certification examinations for those programs where a
governmental entity requires students to pass the examination as a condition of employment.
The Commission continues to refine protocols intended to give both schools and the Commission a
framework for the review and assessment of student achievement rates and to provide a framework
for assessing rates that are above benchmarks and above average as well as below benchmark rates.
ESTABLISHED BENCHMARK GRADUATION RATES
Program Length
in Months
Average Rates of Graduation
Demonstrates Acceptable
Student Achievement
Standard
Deviation
Established Benchmark
Graduation Rates
1-3 92% 8% 84%
4-6 84% 11% 73%
7-9 72% 12% 60%
10-12 69% 14% 55%
13-15 64% 14% 50%
16-18 62% 15% 47%
19-23 61% 18% 43%
24+ 53% 13% 40%
ESTABLISHED BENCHMARK EMPLOYMENT RATE
Program Length
in Months
Average Rate of Employment
Demonstrates Acceptable
Student Achievement
Standard
Deviation
Established Benchmark
Employment Rate
All Programs 78% 8% 70%
13
Analysis of the 2018 Annual Report Data
As the total number of schools reporting data increased in 2018, the number of programs with
reportable graduation and employment rates also increased, showing a slight increase in the number
of programs with reportable rates over the three-year period of this analysis. The overall graduation
rates reported by ACCSC-accredited institutions in the 2018 Annual Report are consistent with the
data reported for previous years. For the past three years the average graduation rate for all
programs, regardless of length held steady at 69%. The analysis of graduation rates continues to
show that program length has a strong influence on program graduation, i.e., as length increases
graduation rates decline. This correlation is consistently the most substantial and significant
relationship found in the Commission’s student achievement data and allows the Commission to
evaluate programmatic performance within a context of program length comparability.
For the 2018 Annual Report year the graduation rates for all program-length groupings remained
stable over the past three years. In addition, a review of
data for a five-year period found very little variability in
reported graduation rates by program length. For the 2018
Annual Report, of particular note is the stability of the
reported graduation rate for programs 24 months and
longer. The reported graduation rate of 57% for programs
24 months and longer in length is a 10% increase over the
2015 reported rate and a 19% increase over the reported
rate of 48% in 2014. In addition, 57% for programs 24
months or longer is the highest reported graduation rate
for long programs since 2012. The student achievement
outcomes for longer programs are an area that the Commission continues to monitor with keen
interest. Analysis of the three-year data for employment rate found the reported rate of 76% is
consistent for the three-year period. The rate of 76% over the three-year period with continues to
be the highest reported employment rate since 2012. This is consistent with the trends noted in the
longitudinal study.
While graduation and employment rates play an integral role in the overall assessment of the
effectiveness of an instructional program, an additional area that demonstrates student learning
outcomes includes pass rates on licensing/certification examinations required for employment. The
Commission collects licensure/certification examination pass rate data through the Annual Report
and implemented, effective July 1, 2015, the requirement that schools demonstrate a minimum 70%
pass rate on licensure/certification examinations for those programs where a governmental entity
requires students to pass the examination as a condition of employment. Review of the major areas
requiring licensure employment such as allied health, nursing, cosmetology, massage therapy, and
truck driving found the average pass rate has consistently exceeded 70% for the past three years.
Overall, the student graduation and graduate employment attainment rates demonstrate that
ACCSC-accredited institutions graduate a significant number of students and that a significant
number of students attain training-related employment after graduation. Out of 4166 programs with
reportable graduation and employment rates, 82% (n=3413) meet or exceed benchmark in the
respective program length grouping and 79% of the programs meet or exceed the benchmark for
The reported graduation rate of 57%
for programs 24 months and longer in
length is a 10% increase over the 2015
reported rate and a 19% increase over
the reported rate of 48% in 2014.
14
graduate employment. The Commission encourages its institutions to avoid using the benchmark
rates as a goal for graduation and employment but as an assessment starting point and goal setting
baseline. Institutions should continue to set the highest attainable goals with regard to student
success and the rates of graduation and employment.
15
69% 69% 69%
16% 16% 17%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates - All Programs
Annual Report Data
Average Completion
Rates - All Programs
Standard Deviation
N=2,604
ProgramsN=2,437
Programs
N=2,596
Programs
92%
85%
75%
69%64% 63% 61%
57%
6%11% 12% 13% 14%
18% 17%19%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Average Graduation Rates By Program Length Groups - 2018
Average 2018
Graduation Rates By
Program Length
Groups
Standard
Deviation
Based on Data
Reported for 2,604
Programs
N=
114
N=
136
N=
520
N=
662
N=
334
N=
372
N=
271
N=
195
Average Program Length = 13.5 months
Average Graduation Rate for All Programs = 69%
16
91% 92% 92%
7% 6% 6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 1-3 Months in Length
Average GraduationRate - Programs 1-3Months
Standard Deviation
N=104 N=95 N=114
85% 84% 85%
11% 12% 11%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 4-6 Months in Length
Average Graduation
Rate - Programs 4-6
Months
Standard Deviation
N=146 N=134 N=136
17
74% 74% 75%
12% 12% 12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 7-9 Months in Length
Average
Graduation Rate -
Programs 7-9
Months
Standard Deviation
N=615 N=530 N=520
69% 69% 69%
14% 13% 13%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 10-12 Months in Length
Average
Graduation Rate -
Programs 10-12
Months
Standard
Deviation
N=609 N=613 N=662
18
64% 65% 64%
14% 15% 14%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 13-15 Months in Length
Average Graduation
Rate - Programs 13-15
Months
Standard Deviation
N=376 N=317 N=334
64% 64% 63%
15% 16%18%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 16-18 Months in Length
Average GraduationRate - Programs 16-18Months
Standard Deviation
N=333 N=327 N=372
19
62% 63%61%
17% 18% 17%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 19-23 Months in Length
Average Graduation
Rate - Programs 19-
23 Months
Standard Deviation
N=224 N=235 N=271
55%57% 57%
20% 20% 19%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Graduation Rates
Programs 24 Months and Greater in Length
Average GraduationRate - Programs 24+Months
Standard Deviation
N=189 N=186 N=195
20
76% 76% 76%
14% 14% 14%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2016 2017 2018
2016-2018 Average Employment Attainment Rates
Annual Report Data
Avg.
Employment
Rates - All
Programs
Standard
Deviation
N=2,596
Programs
N=2,604
ProgramsN=2,437
Programs
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
2016 2017 2018
Licensure Pass Rate by Program Area
Allied Health
Holistic Arts & Sciences
Aviation
Beauty & Skin Care
Building Construction & Industrial
Trades
Heavy Equipment Operator & Truck
Driver
Nursing & Health Aid
21
SUMMARY OF SCHOOLS FY2019 TOTAL
ACCREDITED SCHOOLS (as of June 30, 2019)
Main Schools 430
Branch Schools 245
TOTAL ACCREDITED SCHOOLS 675
SCHOOL CLOSURES & VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWALS (FY2019)
Closures 25
Precipitous Closures 14
Voluntary Withdrawals 13
ADVERSE ACTIONS (FY2019)
Denials 1
Withdrawal 3 (1 under appeal)
22
FY2016-FY2019 Annual Comparative Activity Data
Accreditation Activities
24
1112
15
16
12 12
7
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity Data Initial Applications
Initial Applications Received Initial Applications Accepted
101
133117
138
135
140
114
130
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataRenewal Applications
Renewal Applications Received Renewal Applications Accepted
23
814
7 9
137
124116 114
32
54
2
32
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataAccreditation On-Site Evaluations
Initial On-Site Evaluations Renewal On-Site Evaluations Unannounced On-Site Evaluations
22
13
42
29
56
45
24
11
46
20
32
28
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity Data Substantive Change On-Site Evaluations
New Facility On-Site Evaluations New Program On-Site Evaluations
Other (Change of Control + Change of Location)
24
Commission Activities
342
319
404
244
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity Data Total On-Site Evaluations
10
3621
12
191 188179
198
83 90
95
156
79
180
125
181
00
121
24
0
50
100
150
200
250
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataCommission Actions
Initial Applicants Renewal Applicants Substantive Changes
Other Actions Transition Schools
FY2018 includes 126
Transition On-site
evaluations
25
External Relations/Member Services Activities
334
483
303 292
46 43
12
7
4 016
2
150
278 281 284
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataExternal Relations & Member Services Activities
Accreditation Workshop Attendance Team Leader Training
Education Specialist Training Professional Development Conference
961
5255
2164
3828
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataWebinar Attendance
26
Institutional Review and Development Activities
Institutional Development
85
160
530
213
96
72
436
115
125
107
212
149
11 2051
27
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataSubstantive Change Applications Received by Catagory
Non-Degree Programs Degree Programs
Other Level II Subchanges New Facilities (Branch Part II + Satellite + DE Facility)
998
969
2106
1231
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Activity DataTotal Substantive Change Applications Received
FY2018 numbers impacted by Transition Schools
FY2018 numbers impacted by
Transition Schools
27
Institutional Review
49
48
6450
42
58
2613
185
185205
255
198
111
39 21
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Data ActivityExternal Review
Complaints Received Complaints Forwarded to Committee/Panel
Media Reports/Agency Notices Received Media Reports/Agency Notices Forwarded to Committee
1914
4
019
12 1
3
97101
127
43
143
126
5471
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Data ActivityInternal Review
Significant Growth Cohort Default Rate
Employment Verification Information Requested Employment Verification Actions
28
164 153 157 161
313
377
238
285
15 7 3 6
24 17 1420
6393
56 81
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Data ActivityProgress Committee
Outcomes Reporting Annual Report Review Refunds
Program Advisory Committee Other Reports
733
889
684
19 20 8
61 87120
351
220 183
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2016-FY2019 Comparative Data ActivityFinancial Review
Total Financial Statements Received Initial Applicants
Financial Agency Notices Financial Statement Review
Data not available for FY2016
FY2018 impacted by Tranasitions Schools
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
703.247.4212 tel
703.247.4533 fax
www.accsc.org
