Statistics

 

Explore important data related to Western Seminary's post-graduation success, retention rates, and other student demographics.

Placement Data

This data is required every year by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) regarding the vocational placement of Western graduates.

Explanation of types of placement:

  • Vocational placement: Graduates are in positions for which the degree program prepared them, regardless ofwhether those positions are compensated or volunteer.
  • Non-vocational placement: Graduates received degrees in programs that they sought for non-vocational reasons,such as for personal enrichment.
  • Further study: Graduates are pursuing additional education (at any level).
  • Seeking placement: Graduates are actively seeking appropriate placement.
  • Other: Graduates have positions or placements that do not fall within any of the above categories.
  • Unknown: The placement status of graduates is still not known after repeated attempts to gather data.

Graduate Year Program Number of Graduates Response Rate Vocational Placement (#students)
2021-2022* MDiv 27 89% Vocational placement = 19
Non-vocational placement = 3
Further study = 1
Seeking placement = 1
Other = 0
Unknown = 3
Professional MA (MAC, MAGL, MABL, MAML) 77 82% Vocational placement = 46
Non-vocational placement = 5
Further study = 3
Seeking placement = 9
Other = 0
Unknown = 14
Academic MA (MABTS) 53 81% Vocational placement = 24
Non-vocational placement = 6
Further study = 6
Seeking placement = 5
Other = 2
Unknown = 10
ThM 1 100% Vocational placement = 1
DMin 4 100% Vocational placement = 4
Other Professional Doctoral (EdD, DIS) 5 80% Vocational placement = 4
Unknown = 1

*Total response rate for 2021 graduates = 83%

Retention

Western Seminary measures retention as the percentage of students who continue their studies from one semester to the next until completion of their degrees. This number is calculated as the number of students enrolled in a given semester divided by the number of all active students (continuing students plus newly admitted students minus those graduating minus those who have withdrawn).

Year Location Retention Rate
2021-2022 All 91.5%
Portland 93.4%
Global (Online) 89%
Sacramento 91.9%
San Jose 94.2%
2020-2021 All 92%
Portland 92.6%
Global (Online) 91.4%
Sacramento 88.6%
San Jose 93.8%

Student Demographics

pdf2023 Institutional Peer Profile Report (Demographic Information)