Graduation rates are based on the average number of years needed by a cohort group to complete a degree. The benchmarks for two-year associate degrees generally reflect a three-year completion time; four-year bachelor’s degrees range from five to six years, depending on the benchmark source.

• American College Testing (ACT), which provides three-year graduation rates for two-year institutions and five-year rates for four-year institutions.
• Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange (CSRDE), which provides graduation rates up to six years out for four-year institutions.

Many higher-education consortia provide their own graduation benchmarks. If your institution is a member of a consortium, you may obtain these rates by contacting the organization directly.