Public Accountability

When you choose a college degree program, you’re making an investment in your future. We believe you deserve to have access to data that may help inform your decision. For this reason, the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication publishes metrics related to student retention, graduation, career outcomes, scholarship awards, undergraduate enrollment, student course evaluations and median pay salaries on an annual basis.

Student Retention Rates

Retention rates show the percentage of students who remain at an institution or in a major after they begin coursework.  High retention rates indicate student satisfaction with an institution or program.

First Year Second Year Third Year
Entering Class ISU LAS GSJC ISU LAS GSJC ISU LAS GSJC
2012 87.5% 83.9% 87.1% 80.8% 76.5% 78.8% 78.7% 73.6% 80.0%
2013 86.6% 83.7% 89.1% 80.6% 76.8% 86.1% 78.1% 73.3% 83.2%
2014 87.6% 83.3% 82.4% 81.2% 75.5% 78.4% 78.5% 72.4% 75.5%
2015 88.1%  83.8% 89.6% 82.1% 77.7% 82.3% 79.6% 74.8% 85.4%
2016 87.5% 83.7% 89.1% 80.1% 66.0% 85.1% 77.5% 73.2%  83.2%
2017 87.5% 49.8%  88.6% 81.0% 77.1% 78.6% 78.8% 74.0% 75.7%
2018 87.2% 84.5%  90.5%  82.1%  78.9% 88.1% 79.3%  76.1% 86.9%
2019 88.6% 85.5% 88.5% 82.5% 77.9% 80.8% 79.4% 74.2% 76.9%
2020 88% 84.2% 82.1% 82.2% 78.1% 78.6% 80.2% 76.3% 75%
2021 85.8% 83.0% 82.0% 79.8% 75.6% 78%
2022 87.6% 84.5% 81.1%
  • Percentages include all Greenlee School majors including: pre-advertising, pre-journalism and mass communication, advertising and journalism and mass communication. Public relations is included beginning in 2014. They are based on incoming freshman cohorts each fall.
  • Data provided by Iowa State University Institutional Research.
  • Updated August 9, 2024. This data is updated on an annual basis.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates reflect a commitment to ensuring students successfully complete their degrees.

Third Year Fourth Year Fifth Year Sixth Year
Entering Class ISU LAS GSJC ISU LAS GSJC ISU LAS GSJC ISU LAS GSJC
2012 2.9% 2.8% 9.4% 46.6% 45.6% 60.0% 71.2% 65.4% 75.3% 74.7% 68.7% 76.5%
2013 2.9% 3.3% 6.9% 46.9% 46.2% 66.3% 70.5% 66.0% 75.2% 71.4% 69.4% 79.2%
2014 3.0% 3.5% 5.9% 49.0% 49.8% 67.6% 71.8% 66.3% 76.5% 74.7% 69.2% 77.5%
2015 3.1% 3.7% 7.3% 51.3% 51.0% 65.6% 73.6% 69.1% 81.3% 76.7% 71.5% 83.3%
2016 3.8% 3.9% 5.9% 51.1% 53.5% 71.3% 71.9% 68.8% 81.2% 74.5% 71.1% 81.2%
2017 4.5% 5.0% 10.0% 54.3% 55.2% 64.3% 72.4% 67.6% 74.3% 75.5% 70.3% 75.7%
2018 5.2% 5.6% 11.9% 56.6% 57.2% 76.2% 73.1% 69.7% 82.1%
2019 5.6% 6.0% 9.0% 57.4% 57.3% 65.4%
2020 6.4% 5.9% 5.4%
  • Graduation rates are calculated by dividing the number of graduating students by the number of students in a cohort. They are based on incoming freshman cohorts each fall. Percentages include advertising and journalism and mass communication majors prior to the 2013-14 academic year. After 2013-14, they also include public relations majors. (Public relations was established as a major in fall 2013.)
  • Data provided by Iowa State University Institutional Research.
  • Updated August 9, 2024. This data is updated on an annual basis.

Additional Transparency Data

View additional transparency data related to career outcomes, scholarship awards, undergraduate enrollment, student course evaluations and more.

School Documents

Course Evaluation Means

IDEA Plan, 2024-2029

Governance Document 

Outcomes Assessment Plan

Strategic Plan, 2024-2027