The path to a college degree starts well before graduation. Students must graduate from high school, make the transition to postsecondary education, and stay the course until they reach their goals. College graduation rates are an important measure of educational outcomes and institutional productivity.
From the state's perspective, success for students in higher education generally means that students entering college gain the knowledge, skills and capacity to complete their chosen programs so they are prepared for a rewarding life. Having an educated citizenry benefits the state by having a productive workforce contributing to the state economy. Minnesota does well in the percent of the population with a degree or other higher education credential.
The College Scorecard, prepared by the U.S. Department of Education, is a tool that students and families can use to compare college costs, retention and graduation, average student loan debt, admissions requirements and employment outcomes across institutions and fields of study.
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