Skip to main content

Student Achievement

The University evaluates success in terms of student achievement, consistent with its mission. The following criteria are used to determine student success.

Student Loan Default Rate

Course Success Rate

Passage of Professional Licensing Exams

Job/Continuing Education Placement Rates

Retention Rate

Graduation Rate

Student Loan Default Rate

Student Loan Default Rate

Goal: The Student Loan Default Rate goal established by the University is Perkins Loan 9.68%, Stafford Loan 4.68%, and Nursing 0.10%.

Course Success Rate

Course Success Rate

Passage of Professional Licensing Exams

School of Nursing

Goal: Of graduating generic students, 95% of each class will pass the NCLEX-RN within 12 months following graduation.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percent Passed 99% 100% 98% TBD

Yearly percentages are based on passes within the six-month period allowed by accreditation agencies.


School of Education

Teacher Education & Leadership

Mississippi Teacher Licensure Area: Elementary Education

Goal: Of graduating Elementary Education students, 90% of each class will pass the 5017 Content Knowledge Praxis II exam.

  2021-2022* 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percent Passed N/A* 94% 94% 100%

*Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) implemented a testing waiver for all educator licensure testing beginning in Spring 2020 through December 31, 2021. 

Mississippi Teaching Licensure: Secondary Education

Goal: Of graduating Secondary Education students, 90% of each class will pass the Praxis II exam.

Area 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Art N/A* 100% 75% 100%
Biology N/A* 100% N/A N/A
English N/A* N/A* 100% 100%
Kinesiology N/A* N/A* 100% 100%
Math N/A* 100% 100% N/A
Music N/A* N/A* 100% N/A
Social Studies N/A* N/A* 100% 100%

*Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) implemented a testing waiver for all educator licensure testing beginning in Spring 2020 through December 21, 2021. 

The School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) results for Mississippi College

Mississippi State Department of Education Standard: 80% (3-year average)

Goal: Of graduating graduate students studying educational leadership in the licensure track, at least 80% will pass the SLLA exam.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percentage N/A* 92% 97% 100%

*Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) implemented a testing waiver for all educator licensure testing beginning in Spring 2020 through December 21, 2021. 

School Counseling Graduate Program

Praxis Passage Rate (exam not given prior to 2008)

Goal: Of graduating counseling education graduate students, 90% of each class will pass the Praxis II Content area exam.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percent 100% 100% 100% 100%

Counseling Graduate Programs

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)

Goal: Of the graduating students taking the CPCE exam within a 12-month test cycle, exam participants will pass the NBCC exam with a 50% or better.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percent 94% 78% 65% 94%

School of Law

Bar Passage

Goal: In 2019, the ABA updated Standard 316 on bar passage. Under this standard—applied retroactively to students who graduated in 2017—at least 75% of a law school’s graduates who take the bar exam must pass within two years of graduation.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Passing within two years 74% 75% 73% 80%

School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Social Work Undergraduate Program

Social Work Licensure Exam

Goal: Social Work graduates will score at or above the national average and above the state average. The standard requires that 75% of graduates who take the Mississippi Board of Examiners Licensing Exam pass.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percent 82% 80% 83% 78%

Writing Proficiency Exam

Goal: 80% of undergraduate MC students will pass the WPE exam on their first attempt.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Percentage 85% 85% 83% 85%

This percentage represents only the passage rates of MC students, not those of transfer students, among first-time takers.

WorkKeys Computer Exam: 2018 to present

ACT/CAAP Writing Skills Test: 2015 - 2017


School of Science & Mathematics

Physician Assistant (PA) National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Passage Rates

Goal: Prepare physician assistant students to achieve a first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) at or above the national average.

  2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
MC PA % 93% 100% 100% 100%
National % 93% 92% 92% 92%

Job/Continuing Education Placement Rates

Job/Continuing Education Placement Rates

Goal: The University's goal for the percentage of students with post-graduation plans is 83.4%.

Law Job and Clerkship Rates

Law Job and Clerkship Rates

Goal: The MC Law job placement rate goal established by the University is 83%. The MC Law judicial clerkship placement rate goal established by the University is 6.