INSIDE MTSU: University leads TBR school in grad totals on The Murfreesboro Post

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INSIDE MTSU: University leads TBR school in grad totals

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By: ANDREW OPPMANN, Post Columnist

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2013 12:00 am

INSIDE MTSU: University leads TBR school in grad totals | MTSU, Education, TBR, Tennessee, Murfreesboro, Inside MTSU

An unidentified student celebrates after walking across the stage Dec. 15, 2012, during the fall graduation ceremony Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Photo submitted)

MTSU was the top and most efficient producer of graduates among Tennessee Board of Regents universities in 2011-12 and led all state institutions in granting degrees to adult and low-income students, a report released this week by President Sidney A. McPhee shows.

The statistics, compiled by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, are contained in the MTSU President’s Biennial Report, which was delivered to state lawmakers and officials on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among the report’s highlights:

• The 3,911 bachelor’s degrees awarded by MTSU in 2011-12 were the most granted by any TBR institution, followed by the University of Memphis (2,724 degrees) and East Tennessee State University (2,146).

• MTSU graduated more for less state money per graduate than any TBR university.

In dividing MTSU’s 2011-12 total state funding by the number of graduates that year, the state spent $18,773 per MTSU graduate.

Austin Peay State University was the second-most efficient university in this regard ($19,898), followed by ETSU ($20,503).

• MTSU had the second-highest graduation rate among TBR universities based on a six-year cohort with 51.6 percent in 2011-12.

Tennessee Tech University had the TBR’s top rate at 55.6 percent and ETSU was third at 48.5 percent.

• MTSU led all state universities in the production of adult graduates (age 25 and older) with 1,488 degrees granted in 2011-12. Memphis was second in this category (1,281), followed by ETSU (860) and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (743).

• MTSU led all state universities in the production of low-income graduates (Pell Grant eligible) in 2011-12 with 2,027.

UT-K was second in this category with 1,601, followed by Memphis (1,537) and ETSU (1,045).

“The Complete College Tennessee Act calls for colleges and universities to focus on student retention, degree completion, improvement in the areas of transfer and articulation, and institutional mission distinctiveness,” McPhee said.

“MTSU had already made those goals a strategic priority,” he added. “When we say ‘I am True Blue,’ we are also reaffirming our devotion to student success.”

MTSU has the largest undergraduate enrollment among state universities and is also the No. 1 choice of the state’s veterans, transfer students and students enrolled in summer courses.

The report also notes MTSU was the only Tennessee university to receive the Adult Learner Friendly Institution designation from the Coalition of Adult Learning Focused Institutions in 2012.

Half of MTSU’s 25,000-plus students are classified as adult learners.

McPhee also noted in the document that MTSU is the only Tennessee university selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for a “VetSuccess on Campus” program and has been named a military-friendly institution for three years in a row by G.I. Jobs Magazine.

TBR is the nation’s sixth largest higher education system, governing 46 post-secondary educational institutions.

The TBR system includes six universities, 13 two-year colleges and 27 technology centers, providing programs across the state to more than 200,000 students.

An electronic copy of McPhee’s report is available on the MTSU president’s website, mtsu.edu/president.

Tagged under Education, Inside MTSU, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TBR, Tennessee

Member Opinions:

By: jlh2bj_mtsu_s13 on 2/17/13
This makes me proud as an MTSU student to be able to see that our school is one that is recognized and respected by all! MTSU was my first and only choice in choosing colleges, as it is the university that worked best for me in academics and location. Over the three years that I’ve attended MTSU, I can absolutely see why so many students want to enroll in this university. The campus is great with a diverse group of people, while also having amazing instructors for all of the different degree programs that are offered. I found it interesting in this article to see that MTSU led state universities in the production of adult graduates (age 25 and older). This shows that this campus isn’t only attractive and convenient for the younger generation, but also for the older generation. It still amazes me that there are 25,000 plus students at this university, even though I do complain about it when I’m trying to find a parking spot! I definitely can understand why MTSU is the top choice to choose from while choosing a college for students. This article has made me realize even more how lucky and proud I am to be able to attend such an awesome university as this one while I’m growing, maturing, and preparing for my career in life.