Graduation Rate Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the graduation rate calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Graduation Rate Calculator

Formulas Used

Graduation Rate

grad_rate = graduates_on_time / adjusted_cohort * 100

Adjusted Cohort Size

adjusted_cohort_out = adjusted_cohort

Did Not Graduate On Time

did_not_graduate = adjusted_cohort - graduates_on_time

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
cohort_startStarting Cohort Size250
graduates_on_timeGraduated On Time210
transfers_inTransfers Into Cohort15
transfers_outTransfers Out of Cohort20
adjusted_cohortDerived value= cohort_start + transfers_in - transfers_outcalculated

How It Works

How Graduation Rate is Calculated

The adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) is the federal standard for measuring on-time graduation.

Formula

Adjusted Cohort = Starting Cohort + Transfers In - Transfers Out

Graduation Rate = On-Time Graduates / Adjusted Cohort x 100

This method accounts for student mobility and provides a fairer comparison across schools than simple counts.

Worked Example

A cohort starts with 250 freshmen, 15 transfer in, 20 transfer out, and 210 graduate on time.

cohort_start = 250graduates_on_time = 210transfers_in = 15transfers_out = 20
  1. 01Adjusted cohort: 250 + 15 - 20 = 245
  2. 02Graduation rate: 210 / 245 x 100 = 85.7%
  3. 03Did not graduate: 245 - 210 = 35

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Graduation Rate Calculator