NEW TOWN — Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC) has announced record-setting student retention and persistence rates, crediting the effectiveness of the college’s ongoing efforts to support student success and degree completion.

According to NHSC’s latest student success data, the college’s fall 2024 to fall 2025 retention rate, which measures the percentage of students who return to NHSC the following fall, reached 69.6%, the highest level recorded since tracking began in 2011. This represents a dramatic increase from the college’s 35.7% retention rate in 2011 and reflects a sustained upward trend in student success over the past decade.

The college also achieved a record-high 78.3% fall 2025 to spring 2026 persistence rate, which means nearly four out of every five degree- and certificate-seeking students continued their studies from fall into the following spring semester. This marks a significant increase from the 53.1% persistence rate recorded in 2011.

“These outcomes reflect the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, staff, and support services,” said Dr. Twyla Baker, president of NHSC, in the announcement. “We are especially grateful for the support of Achieving the Dream, and the American Indian College Fund, whose investments and resources supporting our student success initiatives allow us to help students throughout their entire educational journey, from admissions to graduation. Student success remains at the heart of our mission, and we are proud to see our efforts translating into measurable results. I credit the hard work of our staff and faculty across campus who implemented myriad changes and strategies, and executed them thoughtfully and skillfully.”

The data show strong outcomes across multiple student populations. Among fall 2025 students, full-time students achieved an 82% persistence rate, American Indian and Alaska Native students achieved a 77.2% persistence rate and students younger than 22 achieved an 83.9% persistence rate.

The college attributes these gains to a comprehensive approach that includes academic advising, tutoring services, faculty mentoring, student engagement initiatives, culturally relevant support systems and targeted retention efforts.

Over the past five years, NHSC’s retention rate has increased from 49.7% in 2020 to 69.6% in 2025, while persistence rates have risen from 63.6% to 78.3% during the same period.