Student Achievement
Marymount’s mission statement is:
Marymount is a comprehensive Catholic university, guided by the traditions of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, that emphasizes intellectual curiosity, service to others, and a global perspective. A Marymount education is grounded in the liberal arts, promotes career preparation, and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. A student‐centered learning community that values diversity and focuses on the education of the whole person, Marymount guides the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual development of each individual.
Marymount evaluates student achievement by employing multiple measures consistent
with our mission, strategic plan, students, and programs. The following summary table lists the university’s student achievement indicators with goals and outcomes as of the most recently completed academic year. For information about specific program requirements, please see the university catalog.
Consistent with MU’s student enrollment trends, we have identified the following demographic for student achievement: Hispanic, Pell-Recipients, and First Generation students.
Graduation Rates
| Indicator | Goal1 | Outcome (2023-24)2 |
| KSCI: NSC3 Undergraduate Six-Year Graduation Rate MU Overall (Fall 2017 Cohort) | 68% | 73.4% |
1All goals were derived from either MU’s Strategic Plan: Momentum or benchmarking (i.e.- IPEDS, peer institutions, national trends).
2 Most recently completed year.
3 Key Student Completion Indicator: National Student Clearinghouse Total Completion Rate
Graduation Rates Analysis
Provides 6-year graduation rates by gender, race/ethnicity, and type of financial aid received for the most recent cohort of first-time, full-time degree seeking students.
Retention Rates
| Indicators | Goal1 | Outcome (Fall 24-Fall 25)2 |
| Undergraduate Freshman to Sophomore Retention Rate MU Overall | 81% | 72.5% |
| Undergraduate Freshman to Sophomore Retention Rate MU Hispanic Students | 81% | 73.1% |
| Undergraduate Freshman to Sophomore Retention Rate MU Pell-Recipient Students | 81% | 70.1% |
| Undergraduate Freshman to Sophomore Retention Rate MU First Generation Students | 81% | 68.9% |
| Indicators | Goal1 | Outcome (Fall 24-Fall 25)2 |
| Undergraduate Transfer Retention Rate MU Overall | 81% | 79.1% |
| Undergraduate Transfer Retention Rate MU Hispanic Students | 81% | 83.3% |
| Undergraduate Transfer Retention Rate MU Pell-Eligible Students | 81% | 71.4% |
| Undergraduate Transfer Retention Rate MU First Generation Students | 81% | 78.0% |
| Indicators | Goal1 | Outcome (Fall 24-Fall 25)2 |
| New Graduate Student Retention MU Overall | 85% | 79.4% |
| New Graduate Student Retention Part-Time | 85% | 61.2% |
| New Graduate Student Retention MU Hispanic Students | 85% | 81.0% |
Licensure Examination – Pass Rates
Bachelor of Nursing
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is the licensure examination that all registered nurses (RNs) need to prepare for and pass. It is a challenging, comprehensive assessment meant to determine whether an individual possesses the basic knowledge required to safely begin nursing practice. The NCLEX-RN sets the standard for what nurses are expected to have learned through their nursing education. It also creates an industry expectation for new nurses to adhere to and gives nurse educators a clear target in their curriculum planning. Successful passing of the NCLEX-RN is required in order to be licensed in any state as an RN. Marymount’s Malek School of Nursing has a first pass target of greater than 80% for undergraduate Nursing students. The Bachelor of Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The B.S.N. program is also approved by the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
| Year | Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing (ABSN) | Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) |
| Pass Rate | ||
| 2019 | 94.8% | 92.2% |
| 2020 | 97.1% | 90.4% |
| 2021 | 88.7% | 92.2% |
| 2022 | 83.3% | 75.0% |
| 2023 | 95.0% | 89.1% |
| 2024 | 82.5% | 93.5% |
| 2025 | 73.68% | 78.69% |
Nursing – Graduate
Marymount’s graduate programs (Master of Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing (DNP), and our Post Master’s Certificate programs for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) in nursing are qualified to take the certification exam through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The B.S.N. program is also approved by the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
| Year | Program | Certification Exam Specialty Area |
Certification Organization |
Test Takers | Passed | Pass Rate |
| 2025 | M.S.N. | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ANCC | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| 2025 | M.S.N. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| 2025 | D.N.P. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| 2024 | M.S.N. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 15 | 15 | 100% |
| 2023 | M.S.N. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| 2022 | M.S.N. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 14 | 14 | 100% |
| 2022 | Post-Master’s Certificate | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 2022 | D.N.P. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 2021 | M.S.N. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 15 | 14 | 93% |
| 2021 | Post-Master’s Certificate | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 2021 | D.N.P. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 2020 | M.S.N. | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| 2020 | Post-Master’s Certificate | Family Nurse Practitioner | AANP | 1 | 1 | 100% |
Physical Therapy
The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapists (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) is an essential part of the licensing process. The PT and PTA exams are designed to assess an individual’s basic entry-level competence after graduation from an accredited program or from an equivalent non-accredited program. The NPTE is developed, maintained, and administered in efforts to help ensure that only those individuals who have the requisite knowledge of physical therapy are licensed in the physical therapy field and to help regulatory authorities evaluate candidates and provide standards that are comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program has a goal of 100% of students passing the NPTE and a first-time pass rate above the national average. Marymount’s DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085.
| Marymount DPT Graduating Cohorts* | 2023 & 2024 | 2024 & 2025 |
| Graduation Rate | 98.7% | 97.5% |
| NPTE Ultimate Pass Rate | 94.5% | 89.6% |
| Employment Rate | 100% | 100% |
*2 year data for graduating cohorts as required to be reported by CAPTE
Education
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, Elementary Education teacher candidates are required to pass Praxis Subject Assessments (5001: to include subtests in Social Studies (5004), Mathematics (5003), Science (5005), and Reading & Language Arts (5002) and Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) (this replaced the RVE, effective September 1, 2022). Special Education teacher candidates are required to pass Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205). Secondary teacher candidates are required to pass the subject area Praxis II exam. Candidates pursuing principal endorsement are required to hold a current VA teaching license and pass the SLLA exam. The Virginia Department of Education licensure website includes detailed assessment information and state-prescribed cut scores. The Marymount University School of Education requires that all teacher candidates pass all required licensure exams prior to student teaching. Therefore, the licensure pass rate for all Marymount University teacher education candidates is 100%. The below scores reflect those who have been admitted into the licensure program over the course of the last year. Marymount’s teacher preparation programs are accredited by the Division of Teacher Education and Certification of the Virginia Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
| Year | Exam | Degree Level | N | Pass rate |
| 2023-24 | Elementary Education: Mathematics | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 6 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 6 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | Elementary Education: Science | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 6 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | Elementary Education: Social Studies | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 6 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) | Master’s | 13 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | Biology 5235 | Bachelor’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | Praxis Teaching Reading | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 10 | 100% |
| 2023-24 | English 5038 | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 3 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 6 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Elementary Education: Mathematics | Bachelor’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts | Bachelor’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Elementary Education: Science | Bachelor’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Elementary Education: Social Studies | Bachelor’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) | Master’s | 5 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Mathematics 5165 | Master’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | Physics 5266 | Master’s | 1 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 15 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | Elementary Education: Mathematics | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 11 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 11 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | Elementary Education: Science | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 11 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | Elementary Education: Social Studies | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 11 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) | Master’s | 3 | 100% |
| 2025-26 | Mathematics 5165 | Bachelor’s and Master’s | 2 | 100% |
Note: On April 8, 2024, the Governor of Virginia approved House Bill 731, which eliminates the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) as a requirement for initial licensure. This assessment requirement remains in effect through June 30, 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, individuals will no longer be required to pass the VCLA as a requirement for initial licensure.
Grades
3.00 3.74
| Minimum Cumulative GPA4 | Average GPA (2023-24) |
|
| Undergraduate MU Overall | 2.00 | 3.19 |
| Undergraduate Hispanic Students | 2.00 | 3.12 |
| Undergraduate Pell-Recipient Students | 2.00 | 2.98 |
| Undergraduate First Generation Students | 2.00 | 2.96 |
| Graduate MU Overall | 3.00 | 3.77 |
| Graduate Hispanic Students |
4 Individual programs may require a GPA higher than the University minimum.
Employment and Graduate School Rates
Graduating Students Survey
| Goal1 | % Employed (2024-25)2 | |
| Undergraduate MU Overall | 57.8% | 55.5% |
| Undergraduate Hispanic Students | 57.8% | 70.4% |
| Undergraduate Pell-Recipient Students | 57.8% | 65.2% |
| Undergraduate First Generation Students | 57.8% | 62.3% |
| Graduate MU Overall | 72.3% | 67.1% |
| Graduate Hispanic Students | 72.3% | 71.7% |
Alumni Survey
| Goal1 | % Employed (Fall 2024)5 | |
| Undergraduate MU Overall | 57.8% | 92.8% |
| Undergraduate Hispanic Students | 57.8% | 100.0% |
| Graduate MU Overall | 72.3% | 95.5% |
| Graduate Hispanic Students | 72.3% | 75.0% |
5 2024 Alumni Survey (Years surveyed 2013-2014, 2018-2019, & 2022-2023).
Alumni Reported Places of Employment
Where Alumni Enroll for Graduate School
Graduating Students Survey
| Goal1 | % Continue Education (2024-25)2 | |
| Undergraduate MU Overall | 18.9% | 42.0% |
| Undergraduate Hispanic Students | 18.9% | 53.1% |
| Undergraduate Pell-Recipient Students | 18.9% | 40.2% |
| Undergraduate First Generation Students | 18.9% | 43.4% |
| Graduate MU Overall | 8.0% | 18.5% |
| Graduate Hispanic Students | 8.0% | 32.1% |
Alumni Survey
| Goal1 | % Continue Education(Fall 2024)5 | |
| Undergraduate MU Overall | 18.9% | 53.6% |
| Undergraduate Hispanic Students | 18.9% | 46.2% |
| Graduate MU Overall | 8.0% | 28.8% |
| Graduate Hispanic Students | 8.0% | 25.0% |
Students and prospective students may find the information resources of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) of use in planning for college and careers. SCHEV has created an institutional profile for each Virginia public college and university, and for each independent college or university participating in the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program.
Historical
414–53.4%29.5%
| First-Time First-Year Students 6-Year Graduation Rate |
||||||
| Reporting Year | Fall Entering Cohort | N | Full-Time | NSC Total Completion Rate | IPEDS6 | Transfer Out Rate |
| 2018 | 2012 | 375 | 373 | — | 57.4% | — |
| 2019 | 2013 | 400 | 397 | — | 58.4% | — |
| 2020 | 2014 | 353 | 350 | — | 53.7% | 34.6% |
| 2021 | 2015 | 393 | 388 | 79.0% | 62.1% | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 2016 | 442 | 439 | 76.7% | 60.6% | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 2017 | 405 | 401 | 73.4% | 57.6% | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 2018 | 422 | ||||
6 Full-time only
Below are Marymount’s historical Fall student enrollment. Current and historic enrollment reports are available for the academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer). The reports include categorization by program and student demographics.
| Level | Fall 2018 | Fall 2019 | Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | Fall 2024 | Fall 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2256 | 2137 | 2015 | 1902 | 1772 | 1800 | 1813 | 1869 |
| Dual Enrollment | 31 | 21 | 26 | 319 | 503 | 416 | 690 | 969 |
| Graduate | 1131 | 1205 | 1253 | 1334 | 1436 | 1451 | 1557 | 1464 |
| Total | 3418 | 3363 | 3294 | 3555 | 3711 | 3677 | 4060 | 4302 |
Provides gender and racial diversity of Marymount programs based on the most recent Fall semester.
Retention Rates
| First College |
||||
| Reporting Year | Fall Entering Cohort | N | Retention Rate | By Program (PDFs) |
| 2018 | 2017 | 405 | 72.3% | 2018 |
| 2019 | 2018 | 422 | 72.0% | 2019 |
| 2020 | 2019 | 392 | 70.9% | 2020 |
| 2021 | 2020 | 367 | 78.2% | 2021 |
| 2022 | 2021 | 331 | 74.6% | 2022 |
| 2023 | 2022 | 355 | 74.9% | 2023 |
| 2024 | 2023 | 409 | 72.4% | 2024 |
| 2025 | 2024 | 461 | 72.5% | 2025 |
| Transfer Students (Transfer, Readmit, Second-degree) |
|||
| Reporting Year | Fall Entering Cohort | N | Retention Rate |
| 2018 | 2017 | 264 | 84.1% |
| 2019 | 2018 | 230 | 80.4% |
| 2020 | 2019 | 206 | 80.6% |
| 2021 | 2020 | 242 | 85.1% |
| 2022 | 2021 | 220 | 80.0% |
| 2023 | 2022 | 183 | 77.6% |
| 2024 | 2023 | 171 | 84.2% |
| 2025 | 2024 | 148 | 79.1% |
| Graduate Students |
|||
| Reporting Year | Fall Entering Cohort | N | Retention Rate7 |
| 2018 | 2017 | 359 | 83.6% |
| 2019 | 2018 | 424 | 85.3% |
| 2020 | 2019 | 415 | 89.2% |
| 2021 | 2020 | 418 | 86.5% |
| 2022 | 2021 | 468 | 82.7% |
| 2023 | 2022 | 458 | 82.9% |
| 2024 | 2023 | 467 | 87.0% |
| 2025 | 2024 | 494 | 79.4% |
7 Fall New to Program
Degrees Awarded
| Reporting Year8 | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Doctoral Degrees | Post Master’s Certificate | Graduate Certificate | Total |
| 2018 | 558 | 363 | 49 | 1 | 21 | 992 |
| 2019 | 543 | 358 | 51 | 1 | 12 | 965 |
| 2020 | 598 | 373 | 35 | 2 | 18 | 1,026 |
| 2021 | 561 | 440 | 52 | 2 | 10 | 1,065 |
| 2022 | 494 | 382 | 63 | 1 | 28 | 968 |
| 2023 | 469 | 332 | 121 | 2 | 36 | 960 |
| 2024 | 438 | 296 | 190 | 2 | 27 | 953 |
| 2025 | 413 | 308 | 195 | 3 | 23 | 942 |
8 Previous Summer, Fall, and Spring
If you need additional information, please contact the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness.
This website is provided to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008) and Commonwealth of Virginia requirements.
