for the 2004 cohort. The 2009 cohort yielded a graduation rate of 22.4%, which is lower than the 2004 cohort; however, it is slightly higher than the 2008 rate of 20.2%.
Retention rate is calculated as percent of first-time, full-time bachelor degree-seeking (Cohort) who enrolled in previous fall term and returned in current fall term.
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| Fall Cohort Size | 410 | 450 | 431 | 329 | 462 | 274 |
| Returned | 217 | 221 | 192 | 170 | 202 | 165 |
| Retention Rate | 52.9% | 49.1% | 44.5% | 51.7% | 43.7% | 60.2% |
The above graph shows the retention rate for Kentucky State University students over the past six years. The rates range from a low of 43.7% for the 2014-15 academic year to a high of 60.2% for the current academic year. This rate represents a significant increase over the previous academic year and also represents the highest retention rate over the past six years.
In response to the growing trend to support non-traditional teaching modalities, Kentucky State University offered its first set of fully online courses Spring, 2000. A total of four liberal arts and social science courses were taken by a total of 46
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