29 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Colleges & Universities

Introduction

• Using data in higher education to prove value and analyze performance.
• Challenges in measuring performance across students, faculty, facilities, and institutions.

What Are KPIs?

• KPIs are metrics used to track, measure, and analyze performance.
• In higher education, KPIs help gauge progress toward institutional goals.
• Examples include measures required by IPEDS and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
• Example: Enrollment KPIs, section fill rates.

KPIs from AB 705

• AB 705 requires California community colleges to consider high school grades and GPAs for placement.
• Resulted in increased completion of transfer-level English and math courses.

4 Ways Higher Education Can Make the Most of Their KPIs

1. Set Goals & Targets

• Importance of specific, measurable goals.
• NEIU's KPI progress report as a model.

2. Plan & Measure Strategically

• Use KPIs in strategic planning, e.g., expanding a program.

3. Assemble the Right Team

• Involvement of key personnel from the institution.
• Importance of unified understanding among staff.

4. Automate the Process

• Shift from manual to automated processes for more efficient data handling.
• Benefits: Real-time KPI tracking.
• Example: Using Precision Campus to ease data access and management.

29 KPIs for Higher Education

• Divided into five categories:

Financial

1. Instructional Costs
2. Administrative Costs Per Student
3. Program & Department Budgets
4. Revenue, Grants & Funding
5. Student Financial Aid Percentages
6. Tuition Costs

Student Success

1. Graduation Rates
2. Course Success Rates
3. Persistence Rates
4. Student Engagement
5. Student Outcomes
6. Disproportionate Impact
7. Passing Rates for Licensure Exams

Admissions & Enrollments

1. Transfer Rates
2. Acceptance Rates
3. Student Acceptance by Zip Code
4. Year-Over-Year Enrollment
5. Retention Rates
6. Recruitment Marketing Programs

Faculty & Staff

1. Faculty Workload & Productivity
2. Student-to-Faculty Ratio
3. Faculty & Staff Tenure Rate
4. Faculty Turnover
5. Part-Time vs. Full-Time Faculty
6. Weekly Student Contact Hours

Facilities & Resources

1. Section Fill Rates
2. Classroom Utilization
3. Sustainability
4. On-Campus Housing & Commuters

Conclusion

• Precision Campus provides tools for data tracking and analytics.
• Demo and free version available for their analytics platform.