FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The U of A's Office for Institutional Research released the most recent graduation and retention rates for undergraduate students last fall and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences  topped the university average, as it has done consistently since 1998..

The six-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time, degree-seeking freshmen who entered the U of A in 2011 is 61.5 percent.

Bumpers College beat the campus average and led all colleges at 68.9 percent.

For the 14 years reports are available (1998 to 2011), Bumpers College has recorded the highest campus graduation percentage a university-high six times, has been second twice and never lower than third.

Bumpers College's percentage has also been higher than the university average 12 of 14 years.

Bumpers College's University-Leading Undergraduate Graduation Rates

(1998-2011)

• 1999  64.1%
• 2004  70.4%
• 2005  65.8%
• 2006  67.0%
• 2010  67.8%
• 2011  68.9%

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.