A Cohort Analysis on the Academic Programs in Um Panabo: Basis for Enhancement

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive cohort analysis of student enrollment, retention, completion, and graduation trends at UM Panabo College over a five-year period, aiming to evaluate institutional effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. The analysis reveals that the College maintains a consistent average of 1,046 freshmen enrollees annually, with sustained growth attributed to its commitment to providing accessible, quality, and affordable education. The most popular programs include BSBA-Human Resource Management, BSBA Marketing Management, BSBA-Financial Management, and BSED-English. However, significant gaps persist between enrollment and graduation rates, with the overall average graduation rate at 42.37 percent and dropout rates averaging 10.90 percent. Board programs, such as BSED-English and BSED-Mathematics, recorded lower cohort completion rates, primarily due to rigorous licensure requirements and competency appraisal exams, while non-board programs performed better in terms of student progression. The data further indicate that departments such as BEED, BSED-Filipino, and BSED-Mathematics require enhanced academic support due to their lower on-time completion rates. Contributing factors to student attrition include academic preparedness disparities resulting from open admission policies, limited program offerings, and financial constraints that drive students toward tuition-free institutions like Davao del Norte State College. The study recommends adopting data-driven, student-centered strategies such as early warning systems, personalized academic advising, faculty training, and mental health support to improve student outcomes.