Identify the denominator
Ask whether the figure includes all students, first-time full-time students, aid recipients or only graduates who responded to a survey. Different groups cannot be compared as if they were the same.
Keep the period visible
Graduation rates often follow an earlier entering cohort for a defined period. A recently published number can describe people who started several years ago.
Define a qualifying job
For placement claims, ask whether the job must relate to the training, meet a minimum number of hours or be held for a certain time. Ask how unknown outcomes are handled.
Do not fill missing values with zero
Privacy-suppressed and unavailable statistics do not mean nobody completed or found work. A small cohort can also make percentages unstable.
Original sources and further reading
Use the relevant provider or public authority for current program-specific decisions. Read how we source and maintain the guide.