College Milestones
Two-Year Credit Completion: North Carolina
What Is Measured?
Percentage of students who achieved a two-year credit milestone within two years, by age group and enrollment status
Who Is Counted?
First-time degree-seeking students enrolled in the North Carolina Community College System in fall 2007, excluding transitional students
What It Tells Us
One-third of North Carolina Community College students achieved the two-year credit milestone within two years, which is defined as 42 credits for full-time students and 24 credits for part-time students. Regardless of attendance status, students age 22 or younger were more likely to achieve the milestone than students age 23 or older (52 percent vs. 39 percent for full-time students and 30 percent vs. 25 percent for part-time students).
Why It's Important
Students who intend to complete a program and obtain a credential or transfer to a four-year college must complete a required number of course credits. Even after the first year, earning a specific number of credits is a milestone that is associated with future success. For students who do not intend to graduate or transfer but may be more interested in improving their workforce skills or cultivating personal interests, earning a certain number of college-level credits may constitute a goal in and of itself.
About the Data
The total reported for all students was calculated using incomplete data due to a College Information System conversion issue, by which data captured for some colleges were not correct.
Transitional students: those in curriculum programs that do not lead to a formal reward.