By Cynthia Hubert

October 14, 2024

More than 30% of students who entered Sacramento State as first-year students in 2020 graduated in four years, the highest rate in the University’s history.

The four-year graduation rate for the fall 2020 student cohort is 31.3%, which eclipses the previous high of 28.1% in fall 2018, said Joel Schwartz, Sac State’s senior strategic research analyst.

Since 2016, when the University launched its “Finish in Four” initiative, graduation rates have nearly quadrupled for first-time students. Sac State has also, one year early, exceeded the 30% four-year graduation goal that the CSU set for the University for 2025.

Four-year graduation rates at Sac State hit new records for all races and ethnic groups except for Pacific Islanders, which slipped slightly.

“It’s very encouraging, and we have the potential to go even higher,” Schwartz said.

Members of the historic 2020 cohort earned their degrees despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced students and faculty members to learn and teach online.

Sac State already has surpassed the CSU’s goal of graduating 38% of transfer students in two years, achieving a 44% mark this year for its 2022 cohort.

“This success is a testament to the dedication of Sac State’s faculty, staff and administration, as well as the resilience of its student body,” said Shiva Pillai, interim senior associate vice president of Enrollment Management.

The graduation-rate increase reflects the vision that President Emeritus Robert S. Nelsen unveiled in 2015, which President Luke Wood continues to execute today, Pillai said.

Nelsen appointed the late James Dragna as Sac State’s first “graduation czar,” and Dragna quickly launched programs and policies that eliminated administrative barriers and created a more efficient path to graduation.

The University added thousands of seats in high-demand courses that are necessary for graduation, while eliminating remedial courses that do not earn college credit.

In addition, the Hornet Launch program plans and recommends courses based on students’ goals and interests, placing them on a clear path to graduation.

Under Wood, these and other programs continue to exceed expectations, Pillai said.

More broadly, Sac State has built a culture of success that reassures students they can graduate in four years if they want to do so, said Schwartz.

“We’re doing a better job of building up our students’ skills and intervening earlier when it’s clear they need additional support,” he said.

Students who earn their degrees in a timely manner not only are able to save money and reduce debt from college expenses, they can launch their careers more quickly, increasing their lifetime earnings and financial security, statistics show.

“Through expanded course offerings, increased financial aid, and proactive advising, the University ensures that students can progress efficiently toward their degrees,” Pillai said.

“These efforts not only help students save on tuition costs, but also enable them to enter the workforce sooner, promoting economic mobility, particularly for first-generation and under-represented students.

“Sacramento State remains committed to student success by prioritizing timely graduation with minimal debt.”