University of Wisconsin sees spike in graduation rates

MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin System officials say graduation numbers are up from 10 years ago, and that the number of graduates of color has more than doubled in that period.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports that nearly 37,000 students completed their degrees in the last academic year, a 13 percent increase on the 2007-2008 school year.

UW System President Ray Cross says there were 4,919 graduates of color in the 2017-2018 school year, up from 1,839 a decade ago.

He says the system is looking to build graduation rates through "intrusive advising," a process in which advisers check on students who don't seem to be doing well.

Cross acknowledged that enrollment is down overall at the system's 13 campuses, but he says the numbers show they're doing a better job of getting students to graduation.