Category: Institutional Research and Decision Support

Does pre-college credit help students graduate, and does it help them graduate sooner?

August 13, 2026 by Drew Miller

We’ve covered how much pre-college credit students bring to Ball State and how it relates to their first-year outcomes. We now turn to graduation. Does pre-college credit increase students’ likelihood of graduating on time? Does it help them graduate early? The findings reveal an important distinction. Students with pre-college credit were more likely to graduate within four and six years, […]

Read More about “Does pre-college credit help students graduate, and does it help them graduate sooner?”
Does pre-college credit help students succeed in the first year?

August 12, 2026 by Drew Miller

As discussed in the previous post, nearly two-thirds of incoming first-year students arrived at Ball State with at least some pre-college credit. The next question is whether these students performed better academically during their first year and were more likely to return for a second year. Students who entered Ball State with pre-college credit generally had stronger first-year outcomes than those […]

Read More about “Does pre-college credit help students succeed in the first year?”
How much pre-college credit do incoming first-year students bring to Ball State, and which students are most likely to enter with it?

August 11, 2026 by Drew Miller

For many first-year students, college begins before their first semester on campus. As discussed in the introduction to this blog series, students may earn college credit in high school through dual credit courses, Advanced Placement examinations, International Baccalaureate courses, or other opportunities. Our analysis of incoming first-year students at Ball State from Fall 2015 through Fall 2024 explored […]

Read More about “How much pre-college credit do incoming first-year students bring to Ball State, and which students are most likely to enter with it?”
Introduction to Pre-College Credit Blog Post Series

August 11, 2026 by Drew Miller

Many first-year students arrive to campus having already completed college-level coursework. While still in high school they may earn credit through dual credit courses, Advanced Placement examinations, and International Baccalaureate courses. For students and their families, these pre-college opportunities expose students to college-level material and represent a head start on a degree. However, there are also questions about the extent pre-college credit affects students’ transition to college, their progress toward graduation, the time required to complete a […]

Read More about “Introduction to Pre-College Credit Blog Post Series”
Now Available: IRDS Magazine, Volume 2

April 1, 2026 by Faidat Bello

We’re proud to share that IRDS Magazine, Volume 2 is now live. Produced by the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support, the magazine continues our commitment to highlighting the data-informed work shaping decisions across Ball State University. At its heart, IRDS Magazine showcases the analysis and analytics that supports thoughtful planning, strengthens institutional effectiveness, […]

Read More about “Now Available: IRDS Magazine, Volume 2”
Celebrating Michael Lane: A Thoughtful Leader and Lasting Impact

March 26, 2026 by Faidat Bello

When Michael Lane joined Ball State University in 2022 as Associate Vice President for Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support, he brought with him more than two decades of experience, a deep belief in the power of higher education, and a steady, thoughtful approach to leadership. From the very beginning, Michael’s work centered on something […]

Read More about “Celebrating Michael Lane: A Thoughtful Leader and Lasting Impact”
Leveraging AI in Higher Education Administrative Processes

January 28, 2026 by IRDS

AI tools are developing at a breakneck pace. Every week seems to bring a new announcement about what LLM-powered systems can do. But the speed of technology is not always the right speed for adoption, especially in a highly regulated environment like higher education, where data governance and ongoing review are essential for safe, responsible […]

Read More about “Leveraging AI in Higher Education Administrative Processes”
Data Liaisons Group: Data Insights

January 16, 2026 by Faidat Bello

During our monthly Data Liaisons Group meeting on September 9, 2024, we invited each member to share recent data wins from their areas; the result of that discussion is posted here. In our November 10, 2025 meeting we asked the question again: how are your areas using data to support students, streamline operations, and provide context about the institution to leadership? The highlights below […]

Read More about “Data Liaisons Group: Data Insights”
More Than Transfer Credits: Predictors of Time- to- Degree at Ball State

December 16, 2025 by Faidat Bello

Reducing the time it takes to earn a degree is a priority for students and universities alike, impacting retention, cost, and student success. Many Ball State students arrive with transfer credit, whether from high school dual-enrollment or another college, hoping those credits will reduce their time of graduation. Does transferring more credits ultimately help students […]

Read More about “More Than Transfer Credits: Predictors of Time- to- Degree at Ball State”
STEP BY STEP ADMISSIONS DASHBOARD WALKTHROUGH: How to Explore Trends, Track Performance, and Tell Better Data Stories

December 8, 2025 by Faidat Bello

The Admissions Dashboard is a powerful tool for exploring how students move from application to enrollment. It brings together applicant trends, academic preparedness, demographics, geography, and term-to-term comparisons into one interactive experience. This walkthrough is designed to help you navigate the dashboard with confidence. Each slide highlights a different section, explains what you are seeing, […]

Read More about “STEP BY STEP ADMISSIONS DASHBOARD WALKTHROUGH: How to Explore Trends, Track Performance, and Tell Better Data Stories”