West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) uses its graduation rate, retention
rate, transfer rate, and employment outcomes each academic year to document student
success.
Graduation Rate
Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDs); DSS Performance
Measures Dashboard: CPE Strategic Agenda
Definition: Cohort of first-time, full-time, credential-seeking undergraduates who
complete their program within 150% of normal time as reported to the Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System (IPEDS).
Target: Increase by .3 percentage points each year from the baseline.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Graduation Rate
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
43.5%
42.8%
2017-2018
44.5%
44.8%
31.0%
2018-2019
45.5%
53.4%
33.9%
2019-2020
46.5%
51.1%
36.3%
2020-2021
47.5%
52.8%
40.2%
2021-2022
48.5%
46.0%
41.5%
2022-2023
49.6%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
49.9%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
51.2%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
51.5%
N/A
N/A
Definition: Cohort of first-time, full-time, credential-seeking underrepresented minority
undergraduates who complete their program within 150% of normal time as reported to
the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Underrepresented Minority
is defined by the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE) and includes the following
race/ethnicity groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American,
Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Two or more races.
Target: Meet the targets as set by the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE).
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Graduation Rate: URM
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
N/A
33.3%
N/A
2017-2018
N/A
39.8%
22.1%
2018-2019
27.4%
36.9%
22.7%
2019-2020
28.4%
35.7%
24.3%
2020-2021
29.4%
38.2%
28.6%
2021-2022
30.4%
33.6%
29.8%
2022-2023
41.0%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
43.0%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
43.0%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
43.0%
N/A
N/A
Definition: Cohort of first-time, full-time, credential-seeking low-income undergraduates
who complete their program within 150% of normal time as reported to the Integrated
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Low-income students are defined as those
receiving a Pell grant in their first year.
Target: Meet the targets as set by the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE).
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Graduation Rate: Low-Income
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
42.7%
28.1%
2018-2019
40.2%
50.2%
31.5%
2019-2020
41.2%
46.2%
32.7%
2020-2021
42.2%
51.1%
37.6%
2021-2022
43.2%
44.3%
38.2%
2022-2023
53.3%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
55.7%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
55.7%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
55.7%
N/A
N/A
Definition: Cohort of first-time, part-time, credential-seeking low-income undergraduates
who complete their program within 150% of normal time as reported to the Integrated
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Target: Meet the targets as set by the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE).
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Graduation Rate: Part-Time
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
N/A
25.2%
N/A
2017-2018
N/A
30.1%
14.8%
2018-2019
N/A
25.0%
15.3%
2019-2020
N/A
26.3%
17.4%
2020-2021
N/A
25.5%
18.8%
2021-2022
N/A
22.1%
22.1%
2022-2023
26.7%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
27.0%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
27.3%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
27.6%
N/A
N/A
Retention Rate
Data Source: DSS Performance Measures Dashboard: CPE Strategic Agenda
Definition: Cohort of first-time credential-seeking undergraduates regardless of enrollment
status who remain enrolled the subsequent fall semester as reported to IPEDs.
Target: Increase retention by an average of 1 percentage point each year from the
last five-year average.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Retention Rate
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
N/A
63.8%
N/A
2017-2018
N/A
62.5%
53.3%
2018-2019
60.8%
61.8%
55.5%
2019-2020
61.8%
58.6%
57.1%
2020-2021
62.8%
58.2%
55.5%
2021-2022
63.8%
62.2%
57.7%
2022-2023
60.3%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
61.3%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
62.3%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
63.3%
N/A
N/A
Definition: Cohort of first-time credential-seeking undergraduates who remain enrolled
the subsequent fall semester as reported to IPEDs. Underrepresented Minority is defined
by the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE) and includes the following race/ethnicity
groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino,
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Two or more races.
Target: Increase retention by an average of 1 percentage points each year from the
last five-year average.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Retention Rate: URM
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
N/A
52.2%
N/A
2017-2018
48.3%
51.9%
45.4%
2018-2019
49.3%
49.3%
49.5%
2019-2020
50.3%
48.7%
50.9%
2020-2021
51.3%
47.7%
47.9%
2021-2022
52.3%
58.3%
52.2%
2022-2023
48.7%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
49.7%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
50.7%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
51.7%
N/A
N/A
Definition: Cohort of first-time credential-seeking undergraduates who remain enrolled
the subsequent fall semester as reported to IPEDs.
Target: Increase retention by an average of 1 percentage point each year from the
last five-year average.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Retention Rate: Low-Income
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
N/A
59.9%
N/A
2017-2018
53.2%
61.5%
52.1%
2018-2019
54.2%
60.4%
54.5%
2019-2020
55.2%
56.7%
55.8%
2020-2021
56.2%
57.3%
55.3%
2021-2022
57.2%
58.6%
56.3%
2022-2023
58.2%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
59.2%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
60.2%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
61.2%
N/A
N/A
Definition: Cohort of first-time, part-time credential-seeking undergraduates who
remain enrolled the subsequent fall semester as reported to IPEDs.
Target: Increase retention by an average of 1 percentage point each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: To meet or exceed the KCTCS System Average.
Retention Rate: Part-Time
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2016-2017
N/A
44.1%
N/A
2017-2018
N/A
44.0%
40.6%
2018-2019
N/A
37.0%
42.1%
2019-2020
N/A
42.2%
44.9%
2020-2021
N/A
44.5%
43.1%
2021-2022
N/A
48.2%
45.7%
2022-2023
44.2%
N/A
N/A
2023-2024
45.2%
N/A
N/A
2024-2025
46.2%
N/A
N/A
2025-2026
47.2%
N/A
N/A
Transfer Rate
Data Source: Office of Research and Policy Analysis
Definition: Non-returning graduates who transfer to a four-year institution.
Target: Increase by .5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past 5-year average of 26.5%.
Transfer Rate: All
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
20.8%
26.5%
2018-2019
N/A
28.6%
26.5%
2019-2020
N/A
27.3%
26.5%
2020-2021
N/A
28.6%
26.5%
2021-2022
N/A
27.3%
26.5%
2022-2023
27.0%
N/A
26.5%
2023-2024
27.5%
N/A
26.5%
2024-2025
28.0%
N/A
26.5%
2025-2026
28.5%
N/A
26.5%
Definition: Non-returning URM graduates who transfer to a four-year institution. Underrepresented
Minority is defined by the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE) and includes the
following race/ethnicity groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African
American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Two or more
races.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 25.4%.
Transfer Rate: URM
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
23.2%
25.4%
2018-2019
N/A
25.9%
25.4%
2019-2020
N/A
20.7%
25.4%
2020-2021
N/A
29.4%
25.4%
2021-2022
N/A
27.8%
25.4%
2022-2023
25.9%
N/A
25.4%
2023-2024
26.4%
N/A
25.4%
2024-2025
26.9%
N/A
25.4%
2025-2026
27.4%
N/A
25.4%
Definition: Non-returning low-income graduates who transfer to a four-year institution.
Low-income students are defined as those receiving a Pell grant their first year.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 19.9%.
Transfer Rate: Low-Income
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
19.0%
28.1%
2018-2019
N/A
20.1%
19.9%
2019-2020
N/A
16.4%
19.9%
2020-2021
N/A
19.5%
19.9%
2021-2022
N/A
24.5%
19.9%
2022-2023
20.4%
N/A
19.9%
2023-2024
20.9%
N/A
19.9%
2024-2025
21.4%
N/A
19.9%
2025-2026
21.9%
N/A
19.9%
Definition: Non-returning female graduates who transfer to a four-year institution.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 25.9%.
Transfer Rate: Female
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
20.6%
25.9%
2018-2019
N/A
26.2%
25.9%
2019-2020
N/A
21.3%
25.9%
2020-2021
N/A
31.8%
25.9%
2021-2022
N/a
29.5%
25.9%
2022-2023
26.4%
N/A
25.9%
2023-2024
26.9%
N/A
25.9%
2024-2025
27.4%
N/A
25.9%
2025-2026
27.9%
N/A
25.9%
Definition: Non-returning female graduates who transfer to a four-year institution.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 23.6%.
Transfer Rate: Male
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
26.2%
23.6%
2018-2019
N/A
23.9%
23.6%
2019-2020
N/A
20.2%
23.6%
2020-2021
N/A
23.7%
23.6%
2021-2022
N/a
23.9%
23.6%
2022-2023
24.1%
N/A
23.6%
2023-2024
24.6%
N/A
23.6%
2024-2025
25.1%
N/A
23.6%
2025-2026
25.6%
N/A
23.6%
Employment Outcomes
Data Source: Office of Research and Policy Analysis
Definition: Non-returning credential earners in one academic year that are employed
and earn a wage greater than or equal to the federal poverty level in the following
year.
Target: Increase by .5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past 5-year average of 45.1%.
Employment Outcomes: All
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
49.2%
45.1%
2018-2019
N/A
45.6%
45.1%
2019-2020
N/A
48.7%
45.1%
2020-2021
N/A
40.6%
45.1%
2021-2022
N/A
41.4%
45.1%
2022-2023
45.6%
N/A
45.1%
2023-2024
46.1%
N/A
45.1%
2024-2025
46.6%
N/A
45.1%
2025-2026
47.1%
N/A
45.1%
Definition: Non-returning URM credential earners in one academic year that are employed
and earn a wage greater than or equal to the federal poverty level in the following
year.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 41.3%.
Employment Outcomes: URM
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
49.3%
41.3%
2018-2019
N/A
39.0%
41.3%
2019-2020
N/A
43.0%
41.3%
2020-2021
N/A
37.5%
41.3%
2021-2022
N/A
37.8%
41.3%
2022-2023
41.8%
N/A
41.3%
2023-2024
42.3%
N/A
41.3%
2024-2025
42.8%
N/A
41.3%
2025-2026
43.3%
N/A
41.3%
Definition: Non-returning low-income credential earners in one academic year that
are employed and earn a wage greater than or equal to the federal poverty level in
the following year.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 49.3%.
Employment Outcomes: Low-Income
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
50.9%
49.3%
2018-2019
N/A
48.5%
49.3%
2019-2020
N/A
50.9%
49.3%
2020-2021
N/A
51.3%
49.3%
2021-2022
N/A
44.9%
49.3%
2022-2023
49.8%
N/A
49.3%
2023-2024
50.3%
N/A
49.3%
2024-2025
50.8%
N/A
49.3%
2025-2026
51.3%
N/A
49.3%
Definition: Non-returning female credential earners in one academic year that are
employed and earn a wage greater than or equal to the federal poverty level in the
following year.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 44.0%.
Employment Outcomes: Female
Academic Year
Target
Actual
Minimum Threshold
2017-2018
N/A
50.1%
44.0%
2018-2019
N/A
45.6%
44.0%
2019-2020
N/A
46.4%
44.0%
2020-2021
N/A
36.5%
44.0%
2021-2022
N/a
41.2%
44.0%
2022-2023
44.5%
N/A
44.0%
2023-2024
45.0%
N/A
44.0%
2024-2025
45.5%
N/A
44.0%
2025-2026
46.0%
N/A
44.0%
Definition: Non-returning male credential earners in one academic year that are employed
and earn a wage greater than or equal to the federal poverty level in the following
year.
Target: Increase by 0.5 percentage points each year.
Minimum Threshold of Acceptability: Meet or exceed the past five-year average of 46.8%.