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Goals for Student Achievement

TSTC is committed to success!

Born from a vision to build a strong and competitive Texas economy, TSTC is the only state-supported multi-campus technical education college in Texas. Our unique mission calls us to “Place More Texans in Great Paying Jobs” by preparing students for gainful employment in high-skill, high-wage and in-demand occupations. 

In fact, TSTC’s funding depends on students working after graduation through an outcomes-based funding model approved by Texas legislation. This means we’re all about holding ourselves accountable to every student who attends at least 9 semester credit hours. Preparing students for a job pathway remains at the forefront of College initiatives including close collaboration with business, industry, governmental agencies, and communities to meet workforce needs of Texas.

waco graduate at ceremony

Graduation Rates

TSTC adopted a 3-year and 5-year target for graduation rates starting with the 2020 academic year. This criteria is defined as the percentage of first-time in college, full-time, degree-/certificate-seeking students who complete their program within 150 percent of normal time to program completion.

42%
3 Year Achievement Target
by 2023 for FA20 Entering Cohort
44%
5 Year Achievement Target
by 2025 for FA20 Entering Cohort
The overall graduation rate target for 2023 is 42%. This rises 1% percent every year under review. It was 43% in 2024 and the current target for 2025 is 44%. The TSTC statewise overall graduation rate during this same period started below target at 38% in 2023, rose above target to 46% in 2024 and is above target at 53% for 2025.
The Graduation rate target for both Men and Women is 41% in 2023, 43% in 2024 and 44% in 2025. The actual graduation rate for Women was below target for the three years under review, in 2023 it was 18%, rose to 24% in 2024 and is 33% in 2025. The Graduation rate for Men was 41% in 2023 which matched the target, rose above target in 2024 to 48% and rose again to 55%.
The Race / Ethnicity Graduation rate target for 2023 was 42%, rising 1% in each following year to 43% in 2024 and 44% in 2025. The Hispanic graduation rate was below target in 2023 at 34%, rose to 41% in 2024, still below target and was above target in 2025 at 52%. The other minorities category was below target in 2023 at 31%, rose above target in 2024 to 51% and fell below target in 2025 at 39%. The White category was above target all three years under review. It was 46% in 2023, 51% in 2024 and 59% in 2025.
The graduation rate target for the socioeconomic category was 42% in 2023 and rose 1% in following years to 43% in 2024 and 44% in 2025. The graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients was below target for the first two years under review at 32% in 2023 and 42% in 2024. It was rose above target in 2025 to 50%. The Subsdized Loan Recipients not receiving Pell Grants was above target for all three years under review. It was 51% in 2023, 48% in 2024 and 66% in 2025.
Data Disclaimer: The above data is provided in order to maximize institutional effectiveness and to comply with SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation Core Requirement 8.1.

Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Former Students Found Working

Established as a goal around quantity, TSTC adopted a 3-year and 5-year target for former students found working in Texas starting with the 2020 academic year. This criteria measures the number of former students found working (1st year post-exit outcomes) including graduates, award recipients, and students who enroll with at least 9 semester credit hours (SCH) and leave TSTC with no credential.

 

4642
3 Year Achievement Target
by 2023 for 2022 cohort
4857
5 Year Achievement Target
by 2025 for 2024 cohort
Graph shows results for Former Students Found Working in 2023 was 4,621 as compared to achievement goal of 4,642.
Data Source: Certified CBM001 Enrollment and CBM009 Graduate Data and TWC Wage Records

Average First Year Wages of Former Students

Established as a goal around quality, TSTC adopted a 3-year and 5-year target for the average first year wages of former students starting with the 2020 academic year. This criteria measures the average first year wages of former students including graduates, award recipients and students who leave TSTC with at least 9 semester credit hours.

 

$46,134
3 Year Achievement Target
by 2023 for 2022 cohort
$52,344
5 Year Achievement Target
by 2025 for 2024 cohort
graph shows results for Average First-Year Wages in 2023 was $45.0K as compared to achievement goal of $46.1K.
Data Source: Certified CBM001 Enrollment and CBM009 Graduate Data and TWC Wage Records