Retention and Graduation Rates

As a part of our commitment to student success, Southern College of Optometry monitors how each student progresses through its four-year professional program. SCO has two goals for retention and graduation:

1. Ninety-five percent (95%) or more of all students who enter our Doctor of Optometry program will return through their fourth year

2. An average of 95% or more of all entering students will graduate in 6 years 

As shown in our data, SCO has outstanding retention and graduation rates that exceed our goals of 95% for both metrics.

Retention Rates*

Southern College of Optometry calculates retention rate as the percentage of our first-time, first-year professional students who continue to be enrolled at SCO the next academic year. For example, a student who is enrolled full-time in the fall semester and continues to be enrolled in the program at the beginning of the next academic year is counted in this rate. As shown in the table below, Southern College of Optometry has consistently met its goal of having 95% or more of all students who enter our program return through their fourth year.
 

*Retention numbers only include students who remain continuously enrolled with their cohorts. These students may graduate with a different cohort.

Graduation Rates

Southern College of Optometry’s graduation rate is the percentage of our first-time, first year professional students who complete our four-year program within 150% of the published time for the program. Students enter the Doctor of Optometry professional program in cohorts and normally complete the program in four years. As demonstrated by the data below, Southern College of Optometry has consistently met its goal that an average of 95% or more of all entering students will graduate in 6 years. 
 

Note: * Students are required to pass NBEO Parts I and II in order to graduate.