What is a college completion rate and why does it matter?
Your college completion rate is the percentage of credit hours you've successfully earned out of all credit hours you've attempted. It matters because most colleges require a minimum completion rate of 67% to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and remain eligible for financial aid. See also our Dropout Rate Calculator.
How is the completion rate calculated?
The completion rate is calculated by dividing total credit hours earned by total credit hours attempted, then multiplying by 100. For example, if you've earned 45 credits and attempted 60, your completion rate is 75%. Both cumulative and current semester hours are included.
What grades count as 'attempted but not completed'?
Grades of W (Withdrawal), F (Fail), NP (No Pass), and NC (No Credit) are counted as attempted but not completed. These negatively impact your completion rate even though no credit is awarded.
What is the 67% SAP completion rate requirement?
The 67% threshold is the federal Satisfactory Academic Progress standard that financial aid recipients must meet. If your cumulative completion rate falls below 67%, you may lose eligibility for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and student loans.
Do transfer credits affect my completion rate?
It depends on your institution's policy. Some colleges count transfer credits as both attempted and earned, which can positively impact your completion rate. Others exclude them. Check with your school's financial aid office for their specific policy.
What happens if I fall below 67%?
If your completion rate drops below 67%, you may be placed on financial aid warning or suspension. You can often submit an appeal or academic plan to your financial aid office to regain eligibility while you work to improve your rate.
How many credits do I need to complete to get back on track?
This calculator shows you exactly how many additional credit hours — and how many 3-credit courses — you need to complete without any new failed or withdrawn courses to bring your cumulative rate back up to 67%. Use the 'Additional Credits Needed' result for this guidance.
Are repeated courses counted in my completion rate?
Generally yes. Most colleges count all attempts at a course toward your attempted hours, even if you repeated it. Some institutions have policies that allow exclusion of certain repeated courses, but this varies — confirm with your registrar or financial aid office. You might also find our find Student Retention Rate with Student Retention Rate Calculator useful.