Redefining College Completion Through Partnership and Persistence

The big picture

Higher education has a completion problem—and a completion opportunity. Only 62% of students finish a four-year degree within six years. Another 43 million Americans have college credit but no credential.

Why it matters

Degrees change lives—but only if students finish. Colleges must own completion as part of their mission, removing institutional barriers and making it easier for students who pause to return and finish.

What Empire is doing

• Accepts up to 93 transfer credits and awards credit for prior learning
• Pairs every student with both a success coach and an academic advisor
• Uses predictive analytics to identify when students need help
• Offers completion scholarships, emergency aid, and open textbooks that have saved students over $5 million
• Provides a virtual food pantry connecting students to local resources

The bottom line

Completion is equity. Completion is accountability. Completion is the promise higher education must keep.