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
- School of Nursing
- School of Education
- School of Law
- School of Humanities & Social Sciences
- School of Science & Mathematics
Job/Continuing Education Placement Rates
Retention Rate
Graduation 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

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

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