Display 1155:  NSSE Benchmark Index Scores
                          (2003--2005)

NSSE has identified five generic benchmarks with which to characterize and compare institutions, each constituted by an index score developed from a series of several individual survey items.  (Benchmark #1, 9 items; Benchmark #2, 7 items; Benchmark #3, 6 items; Benchmark #4, 11 items; & Benchmark #5, 6 items.)  Listed below are SSU and comparison benchmark index scores along with the number of student respondents whose ratings were included in the respective calculation.  [Index scores for Benchmark #4, "Enriching Educational Environment" are not comparable for years before and after 2004 owing to a rescaling of the index scores.]

I.  Level of Academic Challenge:     Sample Population USG Masters National
  SSU 2003     SSU 2005   2005 2005 2005
Freshmen Rating 51.4     55.9 51.5   51.0 51.6 52.6
     Frosh "n" 94     14 320   4950 41626 106393
Senior Rating 56.0     60.6 57.6   55.2 56.0 56.5
     Senior "n" 96     26 115   4804 44714 105069
                   
II.  Active and Collaborative Learning:              
Freshmen Rating 44.2     47.2 42.4   40.9 42.5 42.4
     Frosh "n" 94     14 322   5314 44867 114408
Senior Rating 53.4     56.3 60.0   50.4 52.2 51.5
     Senior "n" 96     26 117   4985 46336 109110
                   
III.  Student-Faculty Interaction:                
Freshmen Rating 40.3     37.7 38.0   31.0 33.9 34.0
     Frosh "n" 94     14 320   4983 42092 107518
Senior Rating 48.7     52.9 48.1   41.0 43.6 44.1
     Senior "n" 96     26 117   4839 45057 105850
                   
IV.  Enriching Educational Experiences:              
Freshmen Rating 59.9     26.7 28.2   27.3 26.7 27.8
     Frosh "n" 94     14 317   4817 40557 103802
Senior Rating 49.5     43.8 45.5   38.3 40.4 42.1
     Senior "n" 96     26 115   4779 44079 103525
                   
V.  Supportive Campus Environment:                
Freshmen Rating 58.0     62.6 60.5   55.8 60.1 60.1
     Frosh "n" 94     14 314   4721 39830 102077
Senior Rating 56.1     63.4 65.0   55.3 58.0 57.5
     Senior "n" 96     26 113   4694 43570 102336