FAMU's forthcoming 2024 Accountability Plan, slated for submission to the FL Board of Governors, reveals a noteworthy surge in its four-year graduation rate (2019-2023), reaching 35%, the highest in recent history. This marks a significant improvement of 12.5 percentage points since 2018. However, despite this commendable progress, the university fell short of its target of attaining a 43% four-year graduation rate.
In recent years, FAMU has implemented various initiatives aimed at supporting students and enhancing their educational journey. However, while progress has been made, there is recognition within the university community that further efforts are needed to achieve desired targets.
The report also reveals that FAMU saw a one percentage point decrease in its Academic Progress Rate (APR) for 2022-23, falling to 81.8%. This marks a 2.4% decline from its peak of 84.2% in 2020-21. The APR assesses the proportion of full-time, first-time in college students who re-enroll with a minimum GPA of 2.0. FAMU had aimed for an APR of 88%.
In response to the APR decline, FAMU administrators are taking proactive measures to address the issue. The university is exploring employing additional strategies and interventions, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the academic performance among first-year students. One such initiative is introducing an Academic Recovery Program, designed to provide additional targeted support to students facing academic challenges.
On the positive side, accompanying the increased graduation rates FAMU saw the median wage of its bachelors graduates employed full-time one year after graduation reach a new peak at $43,700 (for 2021-22). This was a $4,200 increase over the previous year. FAMU exceeded its stated goal by $3,700. The increased average wage earnings for FAMU bachelors graduates showcases the value of a FAMU education in the job market.
The average wage earnings of FAMU graduates typically trail those of other schools in the SUS graduates, because of discrimination in the workplace and disparities in hiring practices. According to an NAACP report, Black college and university graduates earn an average of 15 percent less than their white classmates and are more likely to be underemployed.
Still, university officials expressed optimism about the progress made in graduation rates while acknowledging the need to address the APR decline. "We are proud of the strides we've made in improving our 4 year graduation --- one of the key standards by which the FBOG measures our performance--- but we also recognize the importance of ensuring student success across all metrics," they said.