“Right on the money”: CBE student satisfaction and postgraduation outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundA review of existing research on CBE program outcomes provides context for the research focus of the essay.MethodThis essay analyzes results from a comparative study of surveys of graduates of both a competency‐based education program at Texas A&M University‐Commerce and its traditional counterpart at the same institution in order to assess both student satisfaction with the degree programs and postcompletion outcomes.ResultsA narrative and visual description of key findings from the survey results reveal three areas of focus—faculty/staff interaction, affordability/acceleration, and alumni outcomes.ConclusionThe results suggest augmented outcomes for the CBE program compared to its traditional counterpart, contributing to a better understanding of student satisfaction and postcompletion outcomes for students who have graduated from a CBE program relative to a traditional program.