FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas’ six-year graduation rate for 2005 has set a new overall record at 56.4 percent, breaking the former record of 52.9 percent, set one year ago, according to a report prepared by the UA Office of Institutional Research.

The latest increase, which is based on the performance of the 1999 freshman class, marks the fourth consecutive year the university has experienced an increase in its six-year graduation rate and the second straight year it has been above 50 percent. The university’s goal for its overall six-year graduation rate is 66 percent by the year 2010.

"The overall increase in graduation rate is terrific news for the University and the State, but it is even better news for the individuals who received a UA degree," said Chancellor John A. White. "Based on projections made in 1999, the 56.4 percent graduation rate is ahead of the pace needed to realize the UA of 66 percent by 2010. And, the significant increase in the African American, Asian American, and Hispanic/Latino graduation rates demonstrate that the institution's commitment to diversity is paying dividends for many of our students. There is still much work to be done to ensure that a significantly greater number of our students receive UA degrees, but, for now, let's congratulate every one of the graduates who contributed to these results."

For the purposes of graduation rate reports, researchers compare data gathered within cohorts of entering freshmen classes. A cohort is defined as the number of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking freshmen included within a given entering freshman class.

When compared with the six-year graduation rate of the1998 cohort, several racial and ethnic groups within the 1999 cohort experienced increases in graduation rates. African-American student graduation rates in the 1999 cohort increased 9 percent from 37.6 percent to 46.7 percent when compared with the 1998 cohort. African-American students make up the largest minority group on campus.

Of the 22 Hispanic students included in the 1999 cohort, 54.5 percent graduated within six years, up from 41.2 percent of the 1998 cohort. Among Asian-American students, the graduation rate increased from 53.2 percent to 65.5 percent.

International students experienced a decrease in graduation rates, from 81.6 percent to 61.4 percent. American Indian student graduation rates decreased from 44.6 percent to 38.2 percent.

Among first-year retention statistics, the university’s 2005 retention dropped more than 2 percentage points from one year ago with 81.4 percent of the first-time, degree-seeking freshmen returning to the university for their second year. The decrease in retention is the first the university has experienced since 2000.

"It is disappointing any time an institution seems to take a step backward in any of its critical categories," said Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. "Now, we must remain dedicated and focused on pressing forward and exhausting all efforts toward reaching the freshman-retention goal of 88 percent by 2010."

Chancellor White said, "I am disappointed to see the slippage in the retention rates. We will re-double our efforts to retain our students."

When compared with the 2004 cohort by percentage, the university experienced decreases in all but one ethnic category. Retention of American Indian freshmen increased from 66.7 percent to 78.3 percent.

Among those with decreases, retention of African-American freshmen students dropped from 84.3 percent to 82.5 percent from 2004 to 2005.

Retention percentages among Hispanic freshmen decreased from 73.7 percent to 64.2 percent from 2004 to 2005 and from 93.7 percent to 83.6 percent among students claiming Asian ethnicity.

Retention of first-year international students slipped slightly from 88.1 percent to 87.9 percent during the past year, and retention percentages for white freshmen dropped from 83.6 percent to 81.8 percent.