consumer information

Retention Rate

Retention Rate

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, Macomb Community College makes the retention rate of certificate - or degree-seeking, first-time, undergraduate students available to prospective and current students.

IPEDS Retention Rate 67%

According to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) definition, the percentage of first-time, full-time students who began in Fall 2021 and returned in Fall 2022 is 67%.

IPEDS includes: 

  • Students who are first-time-in-any-college
  • Student who begin studies in the fall or summer term
  • Students who declare a degree or certificate program in their first term

IPEDS excludes:

  • Students who start in the winter term
  • Students who transfer to Macomb
  • Students who start part time (taking less than 12 credits per term)
  • Students who are undecided on their major in their first term

IPEDS data represents approximately 6% of the students enrolled at Macomb.   


VFA Retention Rate 94%

According to the Voluntary Framework of Accountability (VFA), the percentage of incoming credential-seeking students who began in Fall 2019 and returned in Winter 2018 is 94%, and the percentage who were still enrolled after two years is 77%.

VFA includes:

Full-time and part-time students

Students who are first-time-in-any-college

Students who transfer to Macomb

The VFA measures represent approximately 10% of the credit students who attend Macomb annually.

Retention Rates