Many metrics quantitatively define success in higher education, from retention to student satisfaction. Particularly, graduation or completion rates, when combined with high-quality and rigorous learning experiences, are key to determining a college’s value.

A graduation rate is among the most important statistics in higher education because of its powerful ability to gauge whether colleges are accomplishing their greatest mission – to see all enrolled students become alumni.

Unfortunately, today’s graduation rates at many colleges and universities are less than celebratory, but ·¬ÇŃĘÓƵ’s (ACE) unmatched student experience positions us as a positive outlier. We highly value graduation rates because we prioritize creating positive value for our students, most of whom are adults working full-time or teachers and nurses who need affordable options to quickly advance their careers.

ACE also prioritizes offering a world-class education and has proven that we provide college students with a positive return on investment. Our graduates pass state licensure exams at or above state averages and report improved professional skills (98%) and effective job preparation (96%). Plus, 96% of our graduates’ employers are satisfied with their performance. When institutions merge accessibility with return on investment and quality, we see higher graduation rates and a greater impact on society.

Let’s dive into graduation rates and how ACE has kept ours high.

An Overview of Online College Graduation Rates

Online college graduation rates sometimes have an because they lack uniformity with collection methods. Some institutions include part-time students, while others include hybrid students taking online and in-person courses. There are also different types of institutions – private nonprofit institutions, for-profit colleges, community colleges and more. In response, the Biden administration and the United States Department of Education requirements for online colleges that would take effect in 2027. It remains to be seen whether these efforts will still go forward.

While recent data indicate , online colleges seem to be coming up short. One recent study of exclusively online programming – among the only research of its kind – revealed that students enrolled in fully online programs were .

How Online Colleges Compare to Traditional Colleges

Online and traditional colleges have many commonalities. However, it’s more challenging regarding graduation rates and similar metrics. Traditional colleges encompass cohorts of full-time, part-time, in-person, online and hybrid students. Online college cohorts involve fewer variables that can influence data.

ACE’s Graduation Rates: A Closer Look

ACE boasts an 85% graduation rate for all degree programs combined, significantly exceeding the and the struggling graduation rates at other fully online institutions.

As a fully online college, we calculate graduation rates annually based on a student’s initial enrollment in a cohort, their anticipated completion date and the most current start cohort for reporting. While this formula generates a numeric value, it’s about more than metrics at ACE.

Several elements of the ACE student experience contribute to students completing our programs.

• Financial transparency: Not only are our total costs listed on our website, but our Enrollment Counselors take intentional steps to ensure students are aware upfront. They are not surprised with frivolous fees that aren’t related to academics. Additionally, we forego Title IV funding to offer a world-class education at an affordable cost.
• Flexible learning without sacrificing rigor: Our flexible course design allows students to study asynchronously, which means they can accomplish their career goals amid professional and personal commitments. This does not mean students aren’t expected to meet deadlines and participate in the rigor of earning a degree, as in traditional learning.
• Consistent course delivery: ACE courses are designed following a similar format, so students aren’t spending the first two weeks of a new course adjusting to a different instructor’s style. Students know what to expect after their first course, and from then on, they can focus solely on course material.
• Practitioner faculty: Our faculty are professionals actively working in their respective fields. They freely share their firsthand advice and experience with their students, giving our students access to the most up-to-date best practices they know they can apply to their jobs right away.
• Relevant coursework: Our students are busy professionals seeking practical skills and strategies to advance their careers. Our curriculum is built in-house by our faculty, who partner with curriculum designers. We also regularly consult employers for feedback on how we can better align learning outcomes with the skills they want to see from their employees.
• Uncomplicated processes: ACE believes that learning should take effort, but everything else about being a student should be simple. We uncomplicate the process by simplifying the operational and logistical things that can be hassling or confusing, such as automatically enrolling students in their next course.
• Robust student success systems: Student support systems are not a requirement but evidence of a student-first mentality. Once enrolled, ACE students are assigned to a Student Success Coach who supports them through graduation. Our team of coaches significantly contributes to our 85% retention rate and student success.
• Responsiveness to student satisfaction surveys: ACE’s 96% student satisfaction rate encompasses just that, students. We take their feedback seriously by evaluating their concerns and implementing action plans. Satisfied students complete their programs and often return for another or refer their friends and colleagues.

How to Choose the Right College

When choosing a college, graduation rate is often a metric that speaks volumes. The key is to dig deeper and discover why that college has a strong or weak rate. Consider their student support systems and approaches to academic success. Peruse alumni testimonials or complete a virtual open house where you can envision what the experience will look like and if it’s an environment that will equip you for successful completion.

FAQs

What is the average graduation rate for colleges?

The six-year completion rate – collected through longitudinal research that runs for six to eight years to allow time for students to complete their programs – for the fall 2017 cohort was 62.2%.

Why do graduation rates differ for online colleges?

Online colleges often have fewer variables that can skew data, like student statuses or course delivery options. Additionally, online colleges can allocate funds toward stronger student support and academic success systems that are not needed for parking, electricity, athletics and more.

What makes ACE’s graduation rates higher?

ACE’s student-first college and program design has contributed to our graduation rate. Our uncomplicated logistical processes, robust student support, low costs and commitment to constant improvement have helped us achieve student satisfaction while our practical coursework, flexible course design and practitioner faculty delivers on the high-quality college degree and academic experience our students deserve.

*Source: Internal research completed in June 2024

The ASU+GSV Summit is the premier event for leaders who are transforming learning and work. Held annually, the conference explores bold ideas, breakthrough technology and visionary partnerships that ensure everyone has equal access to the future. The conference’s 2025 theme, “Learning at the Speed of Light,” placed special emphasis on the fact that AI and human innovation are keys to driving the future possibilities of education and skill acquisition.

Of note, the Founder and CEO of Global Silicon Valley (GSV) and Co-Founder of the ASU+GSV Summit, Michael Moe, recently joined ACE’s Board of Trustees, lending his experience in innovative education entrepreneurship to ACE’s strategic direction and development.

Several ACE leaders attended the ASU+GSV Summit to share their expertise and insights into the crucial role higher education plays in the future of workforce development, including concrete examples of affordable educational pathways that create valuable career opportunities for educators and community college students.

ACE Leadership in the Spotlight

ACE was proud to have two of its senior leaders featured on major panels at the ASU+GSV conference.

Dr. Jodi Feikema, ACE’s chief academic officer, was a panelist in the session titled “The Future of Online Learning,” where the conversation explored how institutions have evolved their online learning models in the five years since the onset of COVID. Feikema contributed insights from ACE’s experience as a “digital native” — a college that has offered high-quality and accessible fully online programs from the start.

“You can have incredible learning experiences in the online environment,” said Feikema. “Advanced learning, through college degrees or other learning opportunities can change people’s lives, and are accessible through online platforms.”

Feikema also shared that some of ACE’s current strategic initiatives included credit for prior learning and using data in a predictive manner to augment personalized interventions.

“There’s another item that is early for us, but that is personalizing the experience using AI in faculty and student engagement and interaction,” Feikema explained. “If we know a learner has a particular style and a faculty member has a particular style, how do we provide them with information to communicate and provide feedback to the student?” Feikema stated that this is especially useful for students going through ACE’s doctoral programs, as doctoral students get a lot of feedback throughout the academic process.

ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland was also a featured panelist. His panel, “The Skills Imperative: Aligning Higher Ed with Workforce Realities,” tackled how higher education institutions can better connect to shifting labor market demands.

Hyland emphasized ACE’s focus on employing faculty who are also active practitioners in their industries, which then creates the practical outcomes and skills that our students learn. Indeed, 95% of employers are very satisfied with the performance of ACE graduates.

“We have a practitioner model. Our faculty are working with curriculum designers to build their curriculum, but they’re working in the industry, so they’re bringing that relevance in terms of not only what’s built but how it’s delivered,” said Hyland. “And I think having relevance, at the end of the day, is critical.”

When asked to describe in three words where he saw higher education in 10 years, Hyland said, “Student value proposition.” He expressed his wish for future prospective students to place more importance on return on investment when evaluating their higher education options. At the same time, he felt that not enough higher education institutions were making an adequate effort to provide this data.

“[There’s a] lack of transparency and lack of data around what student debt does to graduates in terms of inhibiting their ability to change jobs or to reskill and to upskill, so I think there’s a ways to go in terms of being able to assess that side of the impact of higher ed,” said Hyland.

Leading the Conversation on Educational Opportunity

ACE also hosted a series of targeted breakout sessions at ASU+GSV, each centered on the power of partnerships to solve real-world education challenges:

• Maximizing the Value of Community College ADN/ASN Programs: The session explored how ACE partners with community colleges to create concurrent enrollment and articulated educational pathways to give nursing students faster and more affordable avenues toward career opportunities.
• The Magic Formula to Better Teacher Retention: The session highlighted how ACE collaborates with school districts to reduce out-of-pocket costs for educators’ continuing education through tuition reimbursement and direct billing programs.
• How Master’s Degrees Fill Gaps & Elevate Instruction: The session showcased how affordable and relevant master’s programs empower teachers to advance their instruction and leadership skills.
• Dual Enrollment: Increase Student College Readiness & Graduation Rates: This session discussed the critical role of dual enrollment teachers and how ACE’s streamlined certificate programs help schools maximize their ability to offer dual credit opportunities to students.

In addition to these sessions, ACE also proudly sponsored the ASU+GSV Superintendents Reception on Tuesday, April 8, where top K–12 leaders came together for networking, collaboration and insights. Throughout the week, ACE’s team met one-on-one with numerous superintendents and school leaders, forging new relationships and deepening existing partnerships.

Looking Ahead

ACE’s presence at ASU+GSV 2025 underscored its commitment to educational innovation, accessibility and workforce alignment. The summit was a powerful reminder of the impact that higher education institutions like ACE can have on building a stronger, more educated workforce. Providing accessible and affordable access to high-quality continuing education is the first step.

Learn more about the benefits of a partnership with ·¬ÇŃĘÓƵ.