Design Structure
We ask the following questions when designing work for each of our functional areas.
- What do we want to know?
Our first step is determining the specific mission-centric questions that we need to address in planning and designing our inquiry. - Why do we want to know?
Ultimately, the results of our inquiry, analysis, and reporting are to inform decision making to fulfill and advance Webster's mission. For example, stakeholders may use the results for:- accountability and compliance (e.g., accreditation),
- monitoring and/or strengthening our practices and policies to ensure high quality learning experiences, and
- modifying or developing new learning experiences to enhance our outcomes of global citizenship and individual excellence.
- How will we use the results?
Before beginning our work, we need to determine how the stakeholders will use the results in order to inform our methodology and reporting. - How will we find out?
We use quantitative and qualitative methods for data gathering and analysis. We may use existing student data or gather new data through methods such as surveys and focus groups. - What did we find out?
Our reporting addresses the questions that we posed for our work and informs the stakeholders of our findings according to their needs.
Institutional Accreditation
Webster University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) continuously since 1925. We also have seven specialized accreditations for academic programs. All accredited programs are currently approved and compliant with accrediting organization requirements.
Data Reporting: Student Outcomes
Webster provides access to data about important student outcomes such as employment and continuing education after graduation, retention rates, graduation rates and licensure rates. The reports below are provided for students, parents and the university community.
Data about recent graduates’ employment and continuing education status is collected through Webster’s Outcomes Survey. The Outcomes Survey is administered electronically five times per year, each year, to recent graduates from the University.
Webster's professional schools and programs monitor test scores and pass rates on licensure and certification examinations as one measure of student achievement. You can find links to those respective results below.
Webster tracks cohorts of Webster Groves first-time, full-time degree-seeking freshmen as well as Webster Groves full-time degree-seeking transfer students in its calculation of retention and graduation/completion rates.
Download Retention and Graduation Rates (PDF)
Table 1. One-Year Retention Rate and Six-Year Graduation Rate of Webster Groves First-Time, Full-Time, Degree-Seeking Freshmen
| Student Designation | One-Year Retention Rate | Six-Year Graduation Rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Students Starting in Fall 2023 | # Returning Fall 2024 | Retention Rate | Total Students Starting in Fall 2018 | # Graduated by May 2024 | Graduation Rate | |
| Note: Graduation rates include only those who earned a bachelor's degree. | ||||||
| Full-time Freshmen | 418 | 287 | 68.66% | 479 | 307 | 64.09% |
Table 2. Six-Year and Eight-Year Completion Rates of Webster Groves Full-Time, Degree-Seeking Transfer Students
| Student Designation | Six-Year Completion Rate | Eight-Year Completion Rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Students Starting in Fall 2016 | # Earning Credential by August 2022 | Completion Rate | Total Students Starting in Fall 2016 | # Earning Credential by August 2024 | Completion Rate | |
| Note: Completion rates include those who earned a certificate, bachelor's degree or both. | ||||||
| Part-time Transfers | 59 | 22 | 37.29% | 59 | 23 | 38.98% |
| Full-time Transfers | 249 | 179 | 71.89% | 249 | 180 | 72.29% |
The U.S. Department of Education collects information on institutions of higher education through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The information is then packaged for public view through the College Navigator website.
Data Management: Outcomes Survey
Webster University’s Outcomes Survey asks recent graduates about the impact of their Webster experiences, their employment status, educational plans, and contact information. Recent graduates are invited via email to complete the survey approximately four weeks after each term’s graduation date. Alternatively, recent graduates may click on the link below to access the survey. Graduates will need to log in using their Webster student account/email. After logging in, choose "Outcomes Survey" from the dropdown list. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Learn More
Founded in 1915, Founded in 1915, Webster is an independent nonprofit university with students studying at campus locations in North America, Europe and Asia, and in a robust online learning environment. With its main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Webster University’s network of faculty, staff, students and alumni forge powerful bonds with each other and their communities around the globe. The University is committed to engaged learning experiences and empowering our students to become catalysts for change. Prepare for your next step and explore our community resources.