Statement of Institutional Effectiveness

With the goal of trying to provide the best student learning outcome and to measure the effectiveness of Central Seminary’s education, Central tracks graduation rates, ministry placement, and alumni feedback to quantify the work of the seminary.

These numbers are affected by many circumstances unique to individual students including personal life situations, such as family needs or financial constraints, that may prompt a student to slow or stop their degree pursuit.

Graduation Rate

The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who enroll in a particular year and finish their degree in the normally allotted time (though there is no statute of limitations on the graduate programs). This differs for each degree program. Of those students who started the M.Div. program in the fall of 2017, 34% graduated by the spring of 2023. For the class of 2023, the overall graduation rate was 25%. That is, 25% of students who began any program in 2017 graduated by 2023.

Placement Rate

The placement rate measures the student’s success in job placement following graduation. Of the students who graduated in the spring of 2022 or 2023 with an M.Div., 100% were either placed in pastoral ministry or furthering their education.

Alumni Survey

The alumni survey measures the effectiveness of our institutional training according to our alumni. In our most recent assessment, 82% of those surveyed indicated that they sought training at Central Seminary in order to prepare for ministry. In addition, 92% rated the educational quality provided by Central Seminary as above average or exceptional!