Academic Indicators
for Houghton College

Updated August, 2007

Mission-oriented thinking requires objectivity: an honest assessment of how an institution is doing, where it is heading, and its alignment with its mission. The following academic indicators compare Houghton with seven of its competitors and eight model colleges (selected by the Strategic Management Advisory Committee). The academic indicators focus on areas that are measurable and can be found in U.S. News & World Report's, America's Best Colleges (2008) or Peterson's, 4 Year Colleges (2007).

It is important to note that there is no right or wrong value for any indicator. What is important is to know our position relative to peer institutions, and then to understand the reasons for disparities. These academic indicators provide a framework for better understanding our academic characteristics and for taking steps to improve our competitive position.

Below are competitor college graphs. To view model college graphs place the cursor over a graph and it will change to a model college graph.

Note: Some colleges did not respond to all questions.

1. Percentage of First-Year Students in Top 10% of High School Class	4. Class Size	7. Percentage of Faculty who are Full Time
2. Percentage of First-Year Students in the Top 25% of High School Class	5. Student/Faculty Ratio	8. First-Year Student Retention Rate
3. 25/75% SAT Scores of First-Year Students	6. Percentage of FT Faculty withTerminal Degrees	9. Graduation Rate

1. Percentage of First-Year Students in the Top 10% of High School Class

U.S News & World Report
America's Best Colleges
2006-2007 figures

One indicator of the academic climate of the student body.

2. Percentage of First-Year Students in the Top 25% of High School Class

U.S News & World Report
America's Best Colleges
2006-2007 figures

Another indicator of the academic climate of the student body.

3. 25/75% SAT Scores of First-Year Students

U.S News & World Report
America's Best Colleges
2006-2007 figures

This is another indicator of the academic climate of the student body.
50% of the entering freshmen have SAT scores within the colored band.

4. Class Size

U.S News & World Report
America's Best Colleges
2006-2007 figures

Small classes allow for more individual student participation.
Larger classes are more cost-efficient.

5. Student/Faculty Ratio
(FTE students/FTE faculty)

Peterson's 4 Year Colleges
2005-2006 figures

Low student/faculty ratio allows for more individual student attention.
High faculty/student ratio is more cost-efficient.

6. Percentage of Faculty withTerminal Degrees

Peterson's 4 Year Colleges
2005-2006 figures

This variable has been linked to quality of instruction.

7. Percentage of Faculty Who Are Full Time

Peterson's 4 Year Colleges
2005-2006 figures

This variable has also been linked to quality of instruction.

8. First-Year Student Retention Rate

U.S . News & World Report
America's Best Colleges
2006-2007 figures

The extent to which freshmen continue attending is an indicator of the quality and fit of their freshman year.
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9. Graduation Rate
(Entering freshmen who graduated within six years)

U.S . News & World Report
America's Best Colleges
2006-2007 figures

The extent to which students persist to the completion of their degree is an index of the quality and fit of their undergraduate experience.

Comments or Questions? Contact willis.beardsley@Houghton.edu