Carolina College of Biblical Studies is an open-enrollment institution. There are no minimum entrance requirements. In addition, significant numbers of students are first-generation college students, adult learners returning to complete a degree, and/or come from socio-economic situations that often are educationally disadvantaged students (54% are Pell-eligible and 69% of students receive federal aid).

Our students are older adults (average age 45) with some prior education. Additionally, because they are adult students, college is not their full-time responsibility. The average student only takes 6-9 hours per semester, not a full course load. Therefore, CCBS does not use the traditional “full-time, first-time student” in its internal measurements.

The following data is based on year-over-year comparisons of all degree-seeking students using the Retention Report in Populi. The report analyzes the retention of students enrolled in any of our programs (excluding “none”) and allocates percentages for students retained, graduated, lost, and excused. The final retention rate is calculated as 100 minus % lost.

For example, of the degree-enrolled students in the 2020-21 Fall semester, what percentage of students are enrolled in the next year’s Fall semester?

Minimum threshold of acceptability: 60%
Aspirational goal: 80%

The most recent fall-to-fall retention rate was 71%.

*Due to the switch from quarters to semesters in 2018-19, historical data is limited to that timeframe.

The traditional IPEDS graduation rate is based on “full-time, first-time” undergraduate students. However, this description does not characterize the average student at CCBS. First, CCBS students are mostly part-time students, averaging 7.8 credits in Fall 2022. Second, CCBS students are mostly adult learners as compared to traditional 18-22-year-old college students. Many of our students enter CCBS with transfer credits; thus, they are not first-time students. As a result, the cohort of potential completers who fit the “full-time, first-time” model is considerably small (averaging 4.25 for the last 4 years). Therefore, the slightest variation in students graduating outside of 200% or transferring out affects the percentage drastically. 

As a result, the traditional IPEDS graduation rate of finishing within 150% of the program’s length is not adequate for our student body. Therefore, we include a column for 200% of the program length to allow for greater comparability.

Minimum threshold of acceptability: 40%
Aspirational goal: 60%

The most recent 200% graduation rate was 50%.

*First-time/full-time students entering college at Carolina College of Biblical Studies and completing their program within 150% of published time.
**First-time/full-time students entering college at Carolina College of Biblical Studies and completing their program within 200% of published time.
***We had no BA completers from the 2014 cohort in 2019-20. The overall rate was 67%, but none of them were graduating with bachelor’s degrees.

Institutional Goal #4 relates to our graduates’ abilities for successful careers and Christian service. We use Employment Rates, Christian Service Rates, and Graduate School Enrollment Rates as a measure of our success in this goal.

Employment Rate

Many of our students come as older adults who are not looking for employment opportunities but rather continuing education for their current areas of service/ministry in their local church setting. The institution tracks employment generally (including both full and part-time employment).

Minimum threshold of acceptability: 80%
Aspirational goal: 90%

Employment Rates from the most recent Survey of Recent Graduates was 71%.

Graduates answering “yes” to the question, “If so, are you currently working in a church/ministry position OR anticipate starting within the next 6 months.”

Christian Service Rates

Because many of our students are not pursuing biblical higher education for employment purposes, we find that it is also instrumental to include Christian Service Rates. That is, are our students involved in Christian Service within their local church upon graduation?

Minimum threshold of acceptability: 80%
Aspirational goal: 100%

Christian Service Rates from the most recent Survey of Recent Graduates was 95.8%.

Graduates answering “yes” to the question, “If you did NOT intend to work in a church/ministry position, then are you participating in regular Christian service at your church or local ministry?”

**This question is new and will be first administered to the 2022 graduating class. A similar, but different, question was the basis for the 2020-21 data.

Graduate Enrollment Rates

Many students move on to the next higher degree level (master’s, doctoral). This statistic is also considered as part of fulfilling Institutional Goal #4 because they may require post-graduate education prior to employment within their chosen career field.

Minimum threshold of acceptability: 25%
Aspirational goal: 50%

Graduate Enrollment Rates from the most recent Survey of Recent Graduates was 69.2%.

Graduates answering “yes” to the question, “I have completed or am currently enrolled in a graduate degree.”

**This question is new and will be first administered to the 2022 graduating class. A similar, but different, question was the basis for the 2020-21 data.

Our goal is that our graduates will demonstrate a greater knowledge of the Bible and the central doctrines of the Christian faith resulting in a biblical worldview (institutional goal 1). CCBS has decided to use the Association for Biblical Higher Education Bible Knowledge Exam to measure this goal. This assessment is nationally normed among all other ABHE schools using the exam. The exam was updated significantly in 2020. Therefore, the historical data for this goal begins in 2020.

Minimum threshold of acceptability: 10% improvement in the value-added score (pre-test/post-test)
Aspirational goal: 20% improvement in the value-added (pre-test/post-test)

The average improvement of pre/post score for CCBS graduates in the most recent assessment was 14.8%.

ABHE Bible Exam Value-Added Scores

Bible Knowledge (Fall 2021-2022)

Biblical Teaching (Fall 2021-2022)

Beginning in 2022, CCBS has chosen to measure its general education goals using the ETS Proficiency Profile. This assessment evaluates students in the areas of critical thinking, reading, writing, and mathematics. This exam will begin being used with the 2022 graduates to measure general education outcomes. While initially the data will be limited, the following goals were established.

Minimum threshold of acceptance: Exiting graduate score within one standard deviation of the national norm.
Aspirational goal: Exiting graduate score 10 points above the national norm.

*Data from 2022 does not meet minimum standards for comparison. Normal data requires at least 30 participants for statistical averages. However, since 2022 was the first instance of this assessment, we have included the data to help set a baseline comparison.
**The national comparison group is baccalaureate (liberal arts) students who tested between July 2016 and June 2021. It represents 44 institutions and 39,962 students.

Institutional Goal #2 relates to the spiritual transformation of our students. To assess this goal, the institution has chosen the SpiritPulse Survey which is administered every 2 years. The quantitative percentages along with the qualitative comments give a limited assessment of the overall spiritual formation on campus. 

*Percentage selecting “good” or “great” on the Fall 2020 survey.

The following comments were given in response to the question, “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your spiritual life or your school’s spiritual programs?”

• I thank God for the opportunity to attend this higher learning in Christ. The more I learn the more I can share with my family, friends, church, and community.
• CCBS has reaffirmed my calling. 
• CCBS is a vital part of my growing spiritually and desire to continue learning, not to gain knowledge alone by more importantly to have a better awareness, understanding, and a deeper relationship with the Lord. The staff and professor do not make you feel inadequate at where you may be on your spiritual journey but a yearning to move closer to the Lord and become a better believer and servant of God.
• I have grown tremendously since beginning my studies at CCBS in 2017. 
• Obtaining a Christian worldview is crucial. The school do not speed through without giving you ample time to really consider a worldview. 
• Thank you all for being a part of my spiritual walk. 
• The CCBS’s spiritual programs have been very helpful to me. 
• This College rocks helping me build spiritual strength as well as spiritual closeness to peers and faculty!

Institutional Goal #6 suggests that the campus environment is conducive for learning and spiritual growth. Such an environment is two-prong. First, do the students have a sense of satisfaction with the campus, its services, and the academic & spiritual growth they are receiving. Second, do the faculty and staff experience a similar positive and edifying atmosphere.

Student Satisfaction

Every 2 years, all students are administered the Ruffalo-Noel Levitz “Adult Student Priorities Survey.” This survey is a modification of the more traditional Student Satisfaction Inventory with particular emphasis at the adult student as compared to the traditional 18-22 year old student.

*Based on Fall 2021 Adult Student Priorities Survey. A total of 97 students (55%) completed the survey.

Employee Engagement

Every 2 years, the staff are administered the Best Christian Workplaces Institute employee engagement survey. Engagement is a measure demonstrating our employee’s investments of energy and commitment to CCBS. Our score is based on a 5-poiunt scale where 5 is “strongly agree” and 1 is “strongly disagree.” The scores are compared with other organizations in BCWI’s Bible Colleges Sector over the past five years.

*Based on BCWI 2020 Engagement Survey Results.