Fall 2014 Entering Cohort
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Overview
This page presents transfer and bachelor’s degree completion outcomes for first-time, degree-seeking students who began at the Technical College of the Lowcountry in Fall 2014.
The report tracks:
- Transfer to four-year institutions
- Credential completion prior to transfer
- Bachelor’s degree attainment after transfer
Outcomes are measured over a six-year period (through Spring 2020) using national enrollment and degree data.
Key Takeaways
- Transfer-out rate: 27.12% (below national average)
- Transfer with award: 17.19% (well below national ~41.9%)
- Bachelor’s completion after transfer: 34.38% (below national ~47.4%)
- Overall bachelor’s completion (entire cohort): 9.32% (vs. ~14.6% nationally)
Insight: This cohort shows moderate transfer success but persistent gaps in completion, particularly in earning credentials before transfer.
Transfer-Out Rates
- TCL: 27.12%
- National Benchmark: 30.84%
Observation:
A slightly smaller share of TCL students transferred compared to national peers.
Transfer with Award (Credential Before Transfer)
- TCL: 17.19%
- National Benchmark: 41.88%
Observation:
Less than half as many TCL students completed a credential before transferring—this continues to be a major gap.
Bachelor’s Completion After Transfer
- TCL: 34.38%
- National Benchmark: 47.37%
Observation:
TCL students who transfer complete bachelor’s degrees at a lower rate than national averages.
Overall Bachelor’s Completion (Entire Cohort)
- TCL: 9.32%
- National Benchmark: 14.61%
Insight:
Overall bachelor’s attainment is below national benchmarks, reflecting both lower transfer success and lower completion after transfer.
By Student Demographics
Gender
- Transfer Rate
- Women: 29.41%
- Men: 26.09%
- Bachelor’s Completion (after transfer)
- Women: 37.5%
- Men: 29.17%
- Overall Bachelor’s Completion
- Women: 11.03%
- Men: 7.61%
Observation:
Unlike later cohorts, women outperform men in transfer and completion outcomes.
Income
- Transfer Rate
- Lower Income: 26.61%
- Higher Income: 30%
- Bachelor’s Completion (after transfer)
- Lower Income: 27.59%
- Higher Income: 50%
- Overall Bachelor’s Completion
- Lower Income: 7.34%
- Higher Income: 15%
Observation:
Higher-income students are significantly more likely to complete bachelor’s degrees.
Key Observations
- Transfer rates are slightly below national averages
- Students are far less likely to transfer with a credential
- Bachelor’s completion rates are below national benchmarks but stronger than some later cohorts
- Equity gaps exist:
- Income strongly impacts completion outcomes
- Gender outcomes favor women in this cohort (opposite of later years)
Definitions
- Transfer-Out: Student enrolls at a four-year institution
- Transfer with Award: Student earns a credential at TCL before transferring
- Bachelor’s Completion: Student earns a bachelor’s degree after transfer
- Cohort: First-time, degree-seeking students entering Fall 2014
Important Notes
- Data track students across institutions nationwide
- Includes outcomes through Spring 2020 (six-year tracking window)
- National benchmarks reflect two-year public institutions
Accessibility Notice
TCL is committed to ensuring that all users have access to our information. If you require assistance accessing content on this page or need the information in an alternative format, please contact us at accessibility@tcl.edu, and we will be happy to assist you.