(a) Time to degree.

1. (1) Affordability of a credential is impacted by the length of time it takes a student to earn a credential. Measures should encourage students to complete credentials on time, generally:

   1. (A) Two (2) years for an associate’s degree; and
   2. (B) Four (4) years for a bachelor’s degree.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The time to degree metric is weighted at fifty percent (50%) of the affordability category.
   2. (B) The metric incudes the average of the number of students who graduated within the recommended timeframe for associate and bachelor’s degrees over the most recent three (3) academic years.
   3. (C) On-time is defined as:

(i) Twenty-four (24) months for associate degrees; and

1. (ii) Forty-eight (48) months for bachelor’s degrees.

   1. (D) The metric also recognizes students who complete their degree within:

      1. (i) Twenty-five percent (25%) of on-time completion (up to thirty (30) months for associate degrees and up to sixty (60) months for bachelor’s degrees); and
      2. (ii) Fifty percent (50%) of on-time completion (up to thirty-six (36) months for associate degrees and up to seventy-two (72) months for bachelor’s degrees).

   2. (E) Allowances will be made for degree programs that require more than twenty-four (24) months for an associate degree and forty-eight (48) months for a bachelor’s degree to complete due to:

      1. (i) External accreditation;
      2. (ii) Professional licensure requirements; or
      3. (iii) Statewide articulation agreements.
   3. (F) The Division of Higher Education will review and approve the request for allowances. Weighting specifications – Time to degree.

      On-Time Completion	1.0
      Within 25% of On-Time Completion	0.875
      Within 50% of On-Time Completion	0.4

(b) Credits at completion.

1. (1)

   1. (A) Similar to time to degree, measuring the affordability of a credential also includes measuring the number of credit hours a student completes toward that credential.
   2. (B) Students whose credit hour accumulation is at or near the minimum number required for a credential pay less in tuition and fees, thus, making the credential more affordable.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The credits at completion metric is weighted at fifty percent (50%) of the affordability category.
   2. (B) The metric incudes the average of the number of students who graduated within the scheduled number of credits completed for associate and bachelor’s degrees over the most recent three (3) academic years.

   3. (C) On schedule is defined as:

      1. (i) Sixty (60) credit hours for associate degrees; and
      2. (ii) One hundred twenty (120) credit hours for bachelor’s degrees.

   4. (D) The metric also recognizes students who complete their degree within:

      1. (i) Ten percent (10%) of on-schedule completion (up to sixty-six (66) credit hours for associate degrees and up to one hundred thirty-two (132) credit hours for bachelor’s degrees); and
      2. (ii) Twenty-five percent (25%) of on-schedule completion (up to seventy-five (75) credit hours for associate degrees and up to one hundred fifty (150) credit hours for bachelor’s degrees).

   5. (E) Allowances will be made for degree programs that require more than sixty (60) credit hours for an associate degree and one hundred twenty (120) credit hours for a bachelor’s degree to complete due to:

      1. (i) External accreditation;
      2. (ii) Professional licensure requirements; or
      3. (iii) Statewide articulation agreements.
   6. (F) Division of Higher Education will review and approve the request for allowances. Weighting specifications – Credits at completion.

      On Schedule	1.00
      Within 10% of On Schedule Completion	0.875
      Within 25% of On Schedule Completion	0.4