Institutional Performance & Student Achievement
Institutional Performance
Institutional Performance & Student Achievement
National American University publishes information about student achievement to help students, policymakers, researchers, and the public better understand the students we serve and their educational outcomes.
The information presented here includes federally reported data through the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), along with additional institutional measures NAU uses to evaluate student progress and achievement.
Student Population
Understanding the Students NAU Serves
Student outcomes are most useful when considered in the context of the students being measured. National American University primarily serves adult learners, many of whom attend part-time and have previous college experience.
|
89%
of undergraduate students attend part-time
|
85%
of undergraduate students are age 25 or older
|
65%
of graduate students attend part-time
|
Previous College Experience Many NAU students enter after attending another college or university. |
Flexible Entry Points NAU offers opportunities for students to begin throughout the year through monthly start dates. |
About Our Students
Many NAU students are the first members of their families to enroll in college. Many are also employed while pursuing their education.
Additional student population information is available in NAU’s annual Student Achievement Report.
Federal Reporting
Understanding Federal Graduation and Outcome Measures
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) collects standardized data from institutions participating in federal Title IV student aid programs. These data support institutional analysis, public accountability, and consumer information.
Not every IPEDS measure describes the same student population. Traditional IPEDS Graduation Rates focus on first-time, full-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate students. IPEDS Outcome Measures provide a broader view by separately reporting outcomes for four student populations.
|
Cohort 1
First-Time
Full-Time |
Cohort 2
First-Time
Part-Time |
Cohort 3
Non-First-Time
Full-Time |
Cohort 4
Non-First-Time
Part-Time |
Why this distinction matters for NAU
NCES developed Outcome Measures to provide information about students not fully represented by traditional Graduation Rates measures. National American University primarily serves adult learners, including many part-time students and students with previous college experience. Understanding which student population a federal measure represents is therefore important when interpreting NAU’s results.
Traditional and Adult / Transfer Student Populations
| Characteristic | Traditional First-Time Student | Adult / Transfer Student |
|---|---|---|
| First time attending college | Yes | Often no |
| Attends full-time | Yes | Often no |
| Previous college credits | Usually no | Often yes |
| Traditional IPEDS Graduation Rate | Directly represents this population | May not represent this student |
| IPEDS Outcome Measures | Provides additional information | Provides broader representation |
Institutional Measures
Student Achievement at National American University
Federal outcome measures provide important standardized information. National American University also monitors additional institutional measures to better understand how NAU students progress academically.
NAU Successful Course Completion Rates
NAU tracks successful course completion as one measure of student academic progress. The university has established successful course completion benchmarks of 75% for undergraduate students and 70% for graduate students.
|
75%
Undergraduate successful course completion benchmark
|
70%
Graduate successful course completion benchmark
|
Overall Student Course Completion
The following charts show successful course completion rates for the overall undergraduate and graduate student populations across the reporting periods shown. The benchmark lines indicate NAU’s established successful course completion benchmarks for each student population.
 National American University overall undergraduate successful course completion rates compared with NAU’s 75% undergraduate benchmark. |
 National American University overall graduate successful course completion rates compared with NAU’s 70% graduate benchmark. |
New Student First-Term Course Completion
NAU also monitors successful course completion among new students during their first term. This provides an additional measure of early academic progress for students beginning their studies at the university.
 First-term successful course completion rates for new National American University undergraduate students compared with NAU’s 75% undergraduate benchmark. |
 First-term successful course completion rates for new National American University graduate students compared with NAU’s 70% graduate benchmark. |
How to read these measures
The overall course completion charts reflect successful course completion across National American University’s undergraduate and graduate student populations. The new student charts focus specifically on successful course completion during a student’s first term. Together, these measures provide information about both early academic progress and course completion across the broader NAU student population.
Degree Completion
NAU also tracks students completing their programs. As reported in the 2026 Student Achievement Report:
|
27,446
degrees conferred since November 1994
|
246
students completing programs between February 13, 2025 and March 4, 2026
|
These institutional measures provide another perspective on student achievement and should be considered alongside standardized federal measures.
Graduate Outcomes
NAU periodically surveys graduates to better understand their experiences following completion. Among respondents to NAU’s September 2025 graduate survey:
| Graduate Survey Measure | Respondents Reporting |
|---|---|
| Satisfied with their NAU education | 90% |
| Currently employed | 81% |
| Felt NAU prepared them for suitable employment | 73% |
| Employed in a position related to their degree | 54% |
| Received an increase in pay after completing their degree | 22% |
| Received a new job role | 18% |
| Received a promotion | 10% |
Important
These results reflect respondents to NAU’s September 2025 graduate survey. They are survey responses and should not be interpreted as employment placement rates.
Interpreting the Data
How to Interpret NAU Student Outcomes
No single measure provides a complete picture of an institution or its students.
Traditional IPEDS Graduation Rates provide standardized information about first-time, full-time undergraduate students. IPEDS Outcome Measures expand that view to include part-time and non-first-time students. Institutional measures can provide additional information about academic progress, degree completion, and graduate experiences.
An important question when reviewing college outcome data:
Does this measure represent students whose educational paths look like mine?
Understanding who is included in a measure can help students make better use of the information available to them.
Questions About the Data
Frequently Asked Questions
What student achievement information does NAU publish?
NAU publishes federally reported IPEDS data and additional institutional measures, including successful course completion, degree completion, and graduate survey results. NAU’s annual Student Achievement Report provides additional detail about these measures.
What is IPEDS?
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is a system of surveys administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Institutions participating in federal Title IV student aid programs report standardized institutional data through IPEDS.
Does IPEDS only measure first-time, full-time students?
No. IPEDS contains numerous data collections and measures. Traditional IPEDS Graduation Rates focus on first-time, full-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate students. IPEDS Outcome Measures include first-time, non-first-time, full-time, and part-time students.
Why does student population matter when looking at graduation rates?
A measure is most informative when you understand the population it represents. An institution serving primarily adult, transfer, or part-time students may have a student population that differs substantially from the population represented by a traditional first-time, full-time graduation rate.
What are IPEDS Outcome Measures?
IPEDS Outcome Measures report award and enrollment outcomes for four undergraduate populations: first-time/full-time, first-time/part-time, non-first-time/full-time, and non-first-time/part-time students.
Why might NAU’s traditional IPEDS Graduation Rate not represent many NAU students?
Traditional IPEDS Graduation Rates focus on first-time, full-time undergraduate students. At National American University, 89% of undergraduate students attend part-time, and many NAU students enter with previous college experience. Other federal and institutional measures can therefore provide additional context when evaluating outcomes for NAU’s broader student population.
What student outcome measures should I review when evaluating NAU?
Students and other readers can consider multiple measures when evaluating National American University, including traditional IPEDS Graduation Rates, IPEDS Outcome Measures, NAU successful course completion measures, degree completion information, and graduate survey results. Each measure provides information about a different aspect of student achievement or a different student population.
Where can I find NAU’s federal data?
NAU’s federally reported information can be reviewed directly through the National Center for Education Statistics and IPEDS.
Reports & Resources
Reports & Data
Current Report 2026 Student Achievement ReportPublished February 2026 |
Federal Data 2025 IPEDS Data Feedback ReportNational American University-Rapid City |
Previous Student Achievement Reports
Primary Sources
Sources & Additional Information
NCES: Measuring Student Success in IPEDS
NCES: Postsecondary Outcomes for Nontraditional and Traditional Undergraduate Students
IES/NCES: Measuring “Traditional” and “Non-Traditional” Student Success in IPEDS
NCES/IPEDS: National American University 2025 Data Feedback Report
National American University: Student Achievement, February 2026
