Momentum Points
Momentum points measure the progress of a cohort of first-time in college students during their first year of college. Research shows that students who reach these milestones are more likely to achieve their educational goals. Because momentum points occur early in a student’s academic journey, they provide timely feedback on whether PCC is helping students build early academic momentum.
Momentum Points Defined
A cohort of students enrolling in college for the first-time in a fall term are tracked through these metrics:
- By the end of their first term, successful completion of 6+ or 12+ college-level credits, and
- By the end of their first year, successful completion of 24+, 36+ or 45+ college-level credits, and college-level math, writing, both math and writing.
Findings
| Successful Completion at end of 1st Term | F2021 Cohort | F2022 Cohort | F2023 Cohort | F2024 Cohort | F2025 Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6+ college credits | 50.0% | 52.1% | 54.9% | 55.6% | 53.3% |
| 12+ college credits | 21.7% | 21.2% | 23.8% | 23.3% | 21.2% |
- The percentage of students completing six or more credits or 12 or more credits declined relative to the two most recent cohorts.
| Successful Completion by end of 1st Year | F2021 Cohort | F2022 Cohort | F2023 Cohort | F2024 Cohort | F2025 Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24+ college credits | 32.4% | 32.7% | 34.8% | 35.7% | 31.2% |
| 36+ college credits | 12.6% | 12.3% | 13.4% | 14.2% | 11.1% |
| 45+ college credits | 2.1% | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.3% | 1.7% |
- Smaller percentages of students accumulated 24+, 36+ and 45+ college credits by the end of their first year compared to previous cohorts.
| Successful Completion by end of 1st Year | F2021 Cohort | F2022 Cohort | F2023 Cohort | F2024 Cohort | F2025 Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Writing | 46.2% | 46.7% | 46.7% | 48.9% | 48.4% |
| College Math | 25.4% | 22.6% | 18.2% | 20.0% | 18.6% |
| College WR and MTH | 20.0% | 17.7% | 15.2% | 15.9% | 14.7% |
- The percentage of students completing college writing was slightly lower than last year.
- In contrast, the percentage of students completing college math declined, and the percentage of students completing writing and math was lower than in prior cohorts.
Note:Â College-level credits are associated with courses numbered 100-level and higher
Source:Â Argos, YESS, Momentum Points, July 2026