Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)
Student Achievement

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The SACSCOC Policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure requires that member institutions publish “statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals.” FAMU uses several measures to evaluate student achievement and success in accordance with the University mission and strategic plan.
Specific University measures for student achievement include the following:

• Improvement of retention and graduation rates.
• Being among the nation’s leaders in the number of degrees granted to African-Americans, an important constituency group at the University.
• Having examination/certification exam pass rates for FAMU graduates greater than the overall national/state pass rates.
• Having job placement rates greater than the average of the other State University System institutions.

Mission Statement

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is an 1890 land-grant institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, resolution of complex issues and the empowerment of citizens and communities.  The University provides a student-centered environment consistent with its core values.  The faculty is committed to educating students at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels, preparing graduates to apply their knowledge, critical thinking skills and creativity in their service to society.  FAMU’s distinction as a doctoral/research institution will continue to provide mechanisms to address emerging issues through local and global partnerships.  Expanding upon the University’s land-grant status, it will enhance the lives of constituents through innovative research, engaging cooperative extension, and public service.  While the University continues its historic mission of educating African Americans, FAMU embraces persons of all races, ethnic origins and nationalities as life-long members of the university community.

Strategic Plan Goals Related to Student Achievement

Strategic Priority 1: Exceptional Student Experience
Goal 1: Enhance pathways to degree attainment
Goal 2: Achieve national distinction for success in retention and graduation rates
Goal 4: Increase the number of students graduating from programs in areas of employer demand
Goal 5: Strategically enhance campus residence, athletic, recreational, instructional and research facilities.

Retention, Progression and Graduation Rates

The University uses retention, progression and graduation rates to evaluate student success. This information is reported annually in the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Annual Accountability Report. The following table provides data for 1st to 2nd year retention rates of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students (see Tables 1 and 2 below).

Table 1. 1st to 2nd Year Retention Rates: Full-time, First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Retention Rates - Retained in the Second Fall Term at Same University

Source:  2020 Accountability Plan; IPEDS

Table 2. Full-time, First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Six-Year Graduation Rates 

Source:  2020 Accountability Plan

Position in National Ranking of Number of Degrees Awarded to African Americans

The University uses its position in national rankings of degrees awarded to African-Americans to evaluate student success. Florida A&M University continues to remain one of the top producers of African American students earning baccalaureate degrees. According to the most recent Diverse Issues Top 100 Degree Producers, FAMU is ranked as one of the top 10 producers of African American baccalaureates (see Table 3 below). For all disciplines combined, FAMU is ranked #9 for the total number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to African Americans in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Table 3. Diverse Issues Top 10 Baccalaureate Degree Producing Majors for FAMU

2020 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings 2018-19 Data

According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Top 100 Producers, 2020, FAMU is ranked as one of the top 10 producers of African American graduates at the master’s level in the nation for the majors listed below in Table 4. 

Table 4. Diverse Issues Top 10 Master’s Degree Producing Majors for FAMU

2020 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings 2018-19 Data

For professional degrees, FAMU ranked #1 as a producer of degrees awarded to African Americans in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. FAMU ranked #2 in the nation for all professional disciplines combined. FAMU also ranked #4 in degrees awarded to African Americans in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. ForLaw, FAMU ranked #5 in the nation by Diverse Issues in the production of African American graduates earning a first professional degree below in Table 5.

Table 5. Diverse Issues Top Ten (10) Professional Doctoral Degree Producing Majors for FAMU

2020 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings 2018-19 Data

According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Top 100 Producers, 2020, FAMU ranked as one of the top 10 producers of African American graduates at with a Doctor’s-Research/scholarship level in the nation for the majors listed below in Table 6. 

Table 6. Diverse Issues Top Ten (10) Doctor’s Research Degree Producing Majors for FAMU

2020 Diverse Issues, Top 100 Degree Producers Rankings 2018-19 Data

Table 7, below reports the top 20 institutions in the nation that awarded baccalaureate degrees to African-Americans in 2018-19.   

Table 7.  National Ranking of Baccalaureate Degrees Awarded to African-Americans in 2018-19

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS, AY 2018-19 Data

Licensure Pass Rates
The University uses licensure pass rates to evaluate student success. Table 8 below reports the pass-rates of examinees for the respective licensure examination for programs.

Table 8.  Professional Licensure/Certification Exams

Annual Accountability Plan; Academic Affairs

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

The University uses the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to evaluate student success. The NSSE instrument is another means to help FAMU determine whether its graduates are prepared for the workforce. The results of the 2017 NSSE administration at FAMU demonstrate that students are generally satisfied with the various aspects of their college experience.  A pertinent question on the NSSE asks students, "How much has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas: Acquiring job or work-related knowledge and skills." Results of the 2017 NSSE indicate that the Percentage of Seniors Responding “Very much” or “Quite a bit” was 75%, which is a 3% increase over the 2014 administration.

Graduate Exit Survey

The University uses the Graduate Exit Survey to evaluate student success. The Graduate Exit Survey is used by the University to gather information on the college experience and the long-term impact to students. The exit survey is designed to provide information about graduating students on both undergraduate and graduate levels by soliciting feedback regarding their experiences at FAMU and their future plans.  Ninety-five percent (95.4%) of the respondents in 2018-19 agreed that they had obtained a sense of competence in their major and 96.1% agreed that they had acquired the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to a practical situation.  Furthermore, eighty-one (80.6%) percent of graduates had already accepted a job offer or were confident in finding employment related to their major.

Post-Graduation Data

Table 9 below reports the percent of recent baccalaureate graduates who are either employed full-time or continuing their education within one year after graduation. (Note:  The data is based on the percent found employed or enrolled available from the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP), Wage Record Interchange System 2 (known as “WRIS 2”) and Federal employee and military data that is available from the Federal Employment Data Exchange System (FEDES) initiative).

Table 9.  Post-Graduation Metrics: Percent of Bachelor’s Graduates Employed Full-time or Continuing their Education, One Year After Graduation

Source:  Annual Accountability Plan, Board of Governors Report