A record 89% of freshmen who entered Iowa’s three public universities in fall 2024 returned for a second year of college, a metric that is a strong indicator students will graduate from the institutions.

The one-year retention rate exceeds national averages for both public and private four-year colleges and universities, a recently released Iowa Board of Regents report shows.

Graduation rates at the three universities – Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa – are also increasing, the report shows. 

The three regents’ institutions had a combined four-year graduation rate of 61%, a record high. The rate means that 61% of students who began their freshman year at one of the institutions in fall 2021 graduated in four years or less. 

Research has repeatedly shown that college graduation and retention rates ensure a steady, skilled and productive talent pipeline for businesses. Students who complete their degrees typically demonstrate the ability to follow through with long-term commitments, a trait employers seek in employees, research shows.

A report released in early 2024 by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that by 2031, 72% of all jobs in the U.S. will require workers to have some post-secondary education or training beyond high school and that at least 42% of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree. By 2031 in Iowa, 32%, or 566,000 of jobs will require a bachelor’s or graduate degree, the report said.

The Iowa Regents report also showed that:

• The percentage of students graduating within three years was a record-high 7%, up from 6% the previous year. UNI’s three-year graduation rate increased to 14% from 11%.
• A stubborn gap continues to exist between the four-year graduation rate of white and  students of color. The four-year graduation rate for white students was 63%; it was 52% for Black, Hispanic, Asian and other racial or ethnic minority students.
• Female students have a higher four-year graduate rate (65%) than male students (56%).

The Iowa Board of Regents graduation and retention report can be found on the board’s website.