Performance Based Funding (PBF)

The Performance Based Funding (PBF) Model includes 10 metrics that evaluate the institutions on a range of issues. The first eight metrics are the same for each institution, and the last two are institution-specific (one is chosen by the Board of Governors and one by each university Board of Trustees).

Metrics	Metrics Data Source	Metrics Description
PBF 1. Percent of Bachelor’s Graduates Enrolled or Employed ($40,000+) One Year After Graduation (Note: The value of earnings changed from $30,000+ to $40,000+ as of the 2023 Accountability Plan)	BOG	This metric is based on the percentage of a graduating class of bachelor’s degree recipients who are enrolled or employed (earning at least $40,000) somewhere in the United States. This data includes non-Florida data from all states and districts, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; and military enlistment as reported by the institutions. Students who do not have valid social security numbers and are not found enrolled are excluded. Students not found enrolled following graduation and/or employed are also excluded. Sources: State University Database System (SUDS), Florida Department of Commerce analysis of State Wage Interchange System (SWIS), and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
PBF 2. Median Wages of Bachelor’s Graduates Employed Full-Time	BOG	This metric is based on annualized Unemployment Insurance (UI) wage data from the fourth fiscal quarter after graduation for bachelor’s recipients. This data does not include individuals who are self-employed, employed by the military, those without a valid social security number, or making less than minimum wage. This data now includes non-Florida data from all states and districts, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Sources: State University Database System (SUDS) and Florida Department of Commerce analysis of State Wage Interchange System (SWIS).
PBF-3. Cost to the Student Net Tuition & Fees for Resident Undergraduates per 120 Credit Hours (Note: *PBF#3* - Average Cost to the Student will be reported in two ways (PBF3.1 and PBF3.2 as of the 2023 Accountability Plan)	SID/Office of Financial Aid/ Cashiers Office	This metric compares the average sticker price and the average gift aid amount. The sticker price includes: (1) tuition and fees for resident undergraduates; (2) books and supplies (we use a proxy as calculated by the College Board); and (3) the average number of credit hours attempted by students who were admitted as an FTIC student who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a program that requires only 120 credit hours. The gift aid amount includes: (1) financial aid (grants, scholarships, waivers and third-party payments) provided to resident undergraduate students during the most recent academic year; (2) the total number of credit hours for those resident undergraduates. The average gift aid award per credit hour was multiplied by 120 and compared to the sticker price. Sources: State University Database System (SUDS), the Legislature’s annual General Appropriations Act, and university required fees as approved by the Florida Board of Governors.
PBF 4. FTIC Four-Year Graduation Rate (Full-Time, First time in College Students)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG	This metric is based on the percentage of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students who started in the Fall (or summer continuing to Fall) term and were enrolled full-time in their first semester and had graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their fourth year. FTIC includes ‘early admit’ students who were admitted as a degree-seeking student prior to high school graduation. Students who were enrolled in advanced graduate programs during their 4th year were excluded. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PBF 5. Academic Progress Rate (Second Fall retention rate with at least a 2.0 GPA for Full-Time FTIC students)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG/SID	This metric is based on the percentage of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students who started in the Fall (or summer continuing to Fall) term and were enrolled full-time in their first semester and were still enrolled in the same institution during the next Fall term with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 at the end of their first year (Fall, Spring, Summer). Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PBF 6. Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded within Programs of Strategic Emphasis	SID Degrees Awarded and CIP Groups	This metric is based on the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded within the programs designated by the Board of Governors as ‘Programs of Strategic Emphasis’. A student who has multiple majors in the subset of targeted Classification of Instruction Program codes will be counted twice (i.e., double-majors are included). Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PBF 7. University Access Rate (Percentage of Undergraduate with a Pell grant)	SID Enrollments and Financial Aid	This metric is based the number of undergraduates enrolled during the fall term who received a Pell Grant during the fall term. Students who were not eligible for Pell Grants (e.g., unclassified, non-resident aliens, post-baccalaureate students) were excluded from the denominator for this metric. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PBF 8. Percentage of Graduate Degrees Awarded within Programs of Strategic Emphasis	SID Degrees Awarded and CIP Groups	This metric is based on the number of graduate degrees awarded within the programs designated by the Board of Governors as ‘Programs of Strategic Emphasis’. A student who has multiple majors in the subset of targeted Classification of Instruction Program codes will be counted twice (i.e., double-majors are included). Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
*PBF 9a.* FCS AA Transfer Three-Year Graduation Rate (Full-Time & Part-time students) (Note: FCS AA Transfer Graduation Rate has changed from a two-year to Three-Year measure as of the 2023 Accountability Plan)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT	This transfer cohort is defined as undergraduates entering in fall term (or summer continuing to fall) from the Florida College System with an Associate in Arts (AA) degree. The rate is the percentage of the initial cohort that has either graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their third academic year. Both full-time and part-time students are used in the calculation. Students who were flagged as enrolled in advanced graduate programs that would not earn a bachelor’s degree are excluded. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PBF 9b. FTIC Pell Recipient Six-Year Graduation Rate (Full-Time & Part-Time students)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG/SID Financial Aid	This metric is based on the percentage of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students who started in the fall (or summer continuing to fall) term and were enrolled full-or part-time in their first semester and who received a Pell Grant during their first year (summer to spring) and who graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their sixth year. Students who were flagged as enrolled in advanced graduate programs that would not earn a bachelor’s degree were excluded. Source: State University Database System (SUDS)..
PBF 10. Six-Year FTIC Graduation Rates (Full-Time & Part-Time students)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG	The first-time-in-college (FTIC) cohort is defined as undergraduates entering in fall term (or summer continuing to fall) with fewer than 12 hours earned since high school graduation. The rate is the percentage of the initial cohort that has either graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their sixth academic year. Both full-time and part-time students are used in the calculation. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).

Preeminence

The Preeminence model includes 12 metrics that assess the performance of high achieving universities. These metrics include graduation rates, student retention rates, research expenditure and the number of patents awarded.

Metrics	Metrics Data Source	Metrics Description
PRE A1. Average GPA	SID Applicant Admit / SID Test Reqs	An average weighted grade point average of 4.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and an average SAT score of 1200 or higher on a 1600-point scale, an average ACT score of 25 or higher on a 36 score scale, or an average CLT score of 83 or higher on a 120 score scale using the latest published national concordance tables developed by the College Board, ACT, Inc., and Classic Learning Initiatives, LLC for fall semester incoming freshmen, as reported annually. FTIC—FCS AA Transfer Students earning an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida College System Institution prior to high school graduation are excluded from this metric.
PRE A2. Average SAT Score	SID Applicant Admit / SID Test Reqs	An average weighted grade point average of 4.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and an average SAT score of 1200 or higher on a 1600-point scale, an average ACT score of 25 or higher on a 36 score scale, or an average CLT score of 83 or higher on a 120 score scale using the latest published national concordance tables developed by the College Board, ACT, Inc., and Classic Learning Initiatives, LLC for fall semester incoming freshmen, as reported annually. FTIC—FCS AA Transfer Students earning an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida College System Institution prior to high school graduation are excluded from this metric.
PRE B. Public University National Ranking	ORI/UPSA	A top-50 ranking on at least two well-known and highly respected national public university rankings, reflecting national preeminence, using the most recent rankings. Sources: Princeton Review, Fiske Guide, QS World University Ranking, Times Higher Education World University Ranking, Academic Ranking of World University, U.S. News and World Report National University, U.S. News and World Report National Public University, U.S. News and World Report Liberal Arts Colleges, Forbes, Washington Monthly Liberal Arts Colleges, Washington Monthly National University, and the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse.
PRE C. Freshman Retention Rate	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG/	Freshman Retention Rate (full-time, FTIC) cohorts are based on first-year undergraduate students who enter the institution in the fall term (or summer term and continue into the fall term). Percent retained is based on those who are enrolled during the second fall term. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PRE D. Four-Year Graduate Rate (Full-Time FTIC students)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG/	This metric is based on the percentage of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students who started in the fall (or summer continuing to fall) term and were enrolled full-time in their first semester and had graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their fourth year. Students who were enrolled in advanced graduate programs during their 4^th year were excluded. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PRE E. National Academy Memberships	ORI	National Academy Memberships held by faculty. Source: Board staff searches the online directories of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and provides member counts based on 'affiliation' (including shared affiliation) and excludes deceased members.
PRE F. Total Research Expenditures ($M) (Note: Added as of the 2024 Accountability Plan)	ORI	Total expenditures (in millions of dollars) for all research activities (including non-science and engineering activities). Source: As reported by each institution to the National Science Foundation annual survey of Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) based on the NSF rules and definitions.
PRE G. Non-Medical Science & Engineering Research Expenditure ($M)	ORI	Research expenditures within Science & Engineering in non-medical sciences. Source: As reported by each institution to the National Science Foundation annual survey of Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) based on the NSF rules and definitions.
PRE H. Number of Broad Disciplines Ranked in Top 100 for Research Expenditures	ORI	The NSF identifies eight broad disciplines within Science & Engineering: Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Life Science, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The rankings by discipline are determined by BOG staff using the NSF online database.
PRE I. Utility Patents Awarded (over three calendar years)	ORI	Total utility patents awarded for the most recent three calendar year period. Based on legislative staff guidance, Board staff query the USPTO database with a query that counts patents before excluding design patents: "University Name".as. and @pd >=YYYYMMDD<=YYYYMMDD AND (B1.AT. OR B2.AT.). System totals may include duplicate counts if the same patent is awarded to staff/faculty at more than one SUS institution. Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
PRE J. Doctoral Degrees Awarded Annually	SID Degrees Awarded	Includes doctoral research degrees and professional doctoral degrees awarded in medical and health care disciplines. Also includes veterinary medicine. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
PRE K. Number of Post-Doctoral Appointees		The number of postdoctoral appointees awarded annually. Source: National Science Foundation/National Institutes of Health Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS).
PRE L. Endowment Size ($M)		Assets invested by an institution to support its educational mission. Source: National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and Commonfund Institute's annual report of Market Value of Endowment Assets.
PRE M. Science & Engineering Research Expenditures ($M) (Note: The PRE M has added as of the 2024 Accountability Plan)	ORI	Research expenditures within Science & Engineering disciplines. Source: As reported by each institution to the National Science Foundation (NSF) annual survey of Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) based on the NSF rules and definitions

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Teaching & Learning

The Key Performance Indicators facilitate the overall performance evaluation of the University System. The metrics in this section highlight graduation rates, degrees awarded and the time to complete a degree for First Time in College students.

Metrics	Metrics Data Source	Metrics Description
KPI 1.Public University National Ranking (Number of Top 50 Rankings based on BOG’s official list of publications)		A top-50 ranking on at least two well-known and highly respected national public university rankings, reflecting national preeminence, using the most recent rankings. Sources: Princeton Review, Fiske Guide, QS World University Ranking, Times Higher Education World University Ranking, Academic Ranking of World University, U.S. News and World Report National University, U.S. News and World Report National Public University, U.S. News and World Report Liberal Arts Colleges, Forbes, Washington Monthly Liberal Arts Colleges, Washington Monthly National University, and Wall Street Journal/College Pulse.
KPI 2. Freshmen in Top 10% of High School Class	SID Applicants Admit	Percent of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who had high school class rank within the top 10% of their graduating high school class. Source: As reported by the university to the Common Data Set.
KPI 3. Time to Degree for FTICs in 120hr programs	SID HTD	This metric is the number of years between the start date (using the student entry date) and the end date (using the last month in the term degree was granted) for a graduating class of first-time, single-major baccalaureates in 120 credit hour programs within a (Summer, Fall, Spring) year. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 4. Percent of Baccalaureate Degrees Awarded Without Excess Hours	SID HTD	This metric is based on the percentage of baccalaureate degrees awarded within 110% of the credit hours required for a degree based on the Board of Governors Academic Program Inventory. This metric excludes the following types of student credits: accelerated mechanisms, remedial coursework, non-native credit hours that are not used toward the degree, non-native credit hours from failed, incomplete, withdrawn, or repeated courses, credit hours from internship programs, credit hours up to 10 foreign language credit hours, and credit hours earned in military science courses that are part of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. Starting in 2018-19, the calculation for this metric included a new type of statutory exclusion of up to 12 credit hours for students who graduated in four years or less. This metric does not report the number of students who paid the “Excess Hour Surcharge” (Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes). Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 5. Six-Year FTIC Graduation Rates (Full-& Part-time students)		The first-time-in-college (FTIC) cohort is defined as undergraduates entering in fall term (or summer continuing to fall) with fewer than 12 hours earned since high school graduation. The rate is the percentage of the initial cohort that has either graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their sixth academic year. Both full-time and part-time students are used in the calculation. FTIC includes ‘early admits’ students who were admitted as a degree-seeking student prior to high school graduation. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
*KPI 6.* FCS AA Transfer Student Two-Year Graduation Rate (Full-Time Students) (Note: FCS AA Transfer Graduation Rate has changed from a Three-year to Two-Year measure as of the 2023 Accountability Plan)	DWHOUSE RET_COHORT & RET_COHORT_CHNG	This transfer cohort is defined as undergraduates entering in fall term (or summer continuing to fall) from the Florida College System with an Associate in Arts (AA) degree. The rate is the percentage of the initial cohort that has either graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their second academic year. Only full-time students are used in the calculation. Students who were flagged as enrolled in advanced graduate programs in their 2^nd year were excluded. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 7. PELL Recipient Four-Year Graduation Rate (for Full-Time FTIC)		This metric is based on the percentage of first- time-in-college (FTIC) students who started in the Fall (or summer continuing to Fall) term and were enrolled full-time in their first semester and who received a Pell Grant during their first year and who graduated from the same institution by the summer term of their fourth year. FTIC includes ‘early admit’ students who were admitted as a degree-seeking student prior to high school graduation. Students who were flagged as enrolled in advanced graduate programs that would not earn a bachelor’s degree were excluded. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 8. Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded (First Majors only)	SID Degrees Awarded	This is a count of first-major baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded. First majors include the most common scenario of one student earning one degree in one Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. In cases where a student earns a baccalaureate degree under two different degree CIPs, a distinction is made between “dual degrees” and “dual majors.” Also included in first majors are “dual degrees,” which are counted as separate degrees (e.g., counted twice). In these cases, both degree CIPs receive a “degree fraction” of 1.0. The calculation of degree fractions is made according to each institution’s criteria. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 9. Graduate Degrees Awarded (First Majors only)	SID Degrees Awarded	This is a count of first-major baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded. First Majors include the most common scenario of one student earning one degree in one Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. In those cases where a student earns a baccalaureate degree under two different degree CIPs, a distinction is made between “dual degrees” and “dual majors.” Also included in first majors are “dual degrees” which are counted as separate degrees (e.g., counted twice). In these cases, both degree CIPs receive a “degree fraction” of 1.0. The calculation of degree fractions is made according to each institution’s criteria. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 10. Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to African-American & Hispanic Students	SID Degrees Awarded	Race/Ethnicity data is self-reported by students. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic do not include students classified as Non-Resident Alien or students with a missing race code. Degree data is based on first-major counts only – second majors are not included. Percentage of Degrees is based on the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic students divided by the total degrees awarded - excluding those awarded to non-resident aliens and unreported. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 11. Percentage of Adult (Age 25 +) Undergraduates Enrolled	SID Enrollment and Person Demo	This metric is based on the age of the student at the time of their Fall term enrollment - not their age upon entry. As a proxy, age is based on birth year not birth date. Note: Unclassified students with a HS diploma (or GED) and above are included in this calculation. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
*KPI 12.* Percentage of Undergraduate FTE in Online Courses (Note: Removed as of the Accountability Plan 2022)	SID Courses taken and Instructional Activity	Full-time equivalent (FTE) student is a measure of instructional activity that is based on the number of credit hours that students enroll. FTE is based on the US definition, which divides undergraduate credit hours by 30. Distance Learning is a course in which at least 80 percent of the direct instruction of the course is delivered using some form of technology when the student and instructor are separated by time or space, or both (per Section 1009.24(17), Florida Statutes). Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 12. Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees in STEM & Health	SID Degrees Awarded	The percentage of baccalaureate degrees that are classified as STEM or Health disciplines by the Board of Governors in the Academic Program Inventory. These counts include second majors. Second Majors include all dual/second majors (e.g., degree CIP receive a degree fraction that is less than 1). The calculation of degree fractions is made according to each institution’s criteria. The calculation for the number of second majors rounds each degree CIP’s fraction of a degree up to 1 and then sums the total. Second Majors are typically used when providing degree information by discipline/CIP, to better conveys the number of graduates who have specific skill sets associated with each discipline. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 13. Percentage of Graduate Degrees in STEM & Health	SID Degrees Awarded and CIP Groups	The percentage of baccalaureate degrees that are classified as STEM or Health disciplines by the Board of Governors in the Academic Program Inventory. These counts include second majors. Second Majors include all dual/second majors (e.g., degree CIP receive a degree fraction that is less than 1). The calculation of degree fractions is made according to each institution’s criteria. The calculation for the number of second majors rounds each degree CIP’s fraction of a degree up to 1 and then sums the total. Second Majors are typically used when providing degree information by discipline/CIP, to better conveys the number of graduates who have specific skill sets associated with each discipline. Source: State University Database System (SUDS).
KPI 14. Professional Licensure & Certification Exam First-Time Pass Rates	USF Health/BOG	The average pass rates as a percentage of all first-time examinees for Nursing, Law, Medicine, Veterinary, Pharmacy, Dental, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, when applicable. The average pass rate for the nation or state is also provided as a contextual benchmark. The Board’s 2025 System Strategic Plan calls for all institutions to be above or tied the exam’s respective benchmark. The State benchmark for the Florida Bar Exam excludes non-Florida institutions. The national benchmark for the USMLE exams is based on rates for MD degrees from U.S. institutions. Source: BOG staff analysis of exam pass rates provided by institutions or licensure/certification boards.
KPI 15. National Academy Memberships		National Academy Memberships held by faculty. Source: Board staff searches the online directories of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and provides member counts based on 'affiliation' (including shared affiliation) and excludes deceased members.
KPI 16. Faculty Awards (Note: Removed as of the Accountability Plan 2024)		Awards include: American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Fellows, Beckman Young Investigators, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Awards, Cottrell Scholars, Fulbright American Scholars, Getty Scholars in Residence, Guggenheim Fellows, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators, Lasker Medical Research Awards, MacArthur Foundation Fellows, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Distinguished Achievement Awards, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellows, National Humanities Center Fellows, National Institutes of Health (NIH) MERIT, National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology, NSF CAREER awards (excluding those who are also PECASE winners), Newberry Library Long-term Fellows, Pew Scholars in Biomedicine, Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), Robert Wood Johnson Policy Fellows, Searle Scholars, Sloan Research Fellows, and Woodrow Wilson Fellows. Source: Center for Measuring University Performance in the Top American Research Universities (TARU) annual report.
KPI 16. Percent of Undergraduates Engaged in Research (Note: Added as of the 2022 Accountability Plan)		Numerator includes graduating seniors who completed an honors thesis, worked on their own research and/or creative activity topic with the guidance of a faculty member (individually or jointly), submitted an article or research for publication or exhibited research at a professional/academic conference (individually or jointly). The denominator includes graduating seniors who complete the survey. Source: Student survey data reported to the Florida Board of Governors.
KPI 17. Total Research Expenditure ($M)		Total expenditures (in millions of dollars) for all research activities (including non-science and engineering activities). Source: As reported by each institution to the National Science Foundation annual survey of Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) based on the NSF rules and definitions.
KPI 18. Research Expenditures from External Resources ($M)		This metric reports the amount of research expenditures that was funded from federal, private industry, and other (non-state and non-institutional) sources. Source: As reported by each institution to the National Science Foundation annual survey of Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) based on the NSF rules and definitions.
KPI 19. Utility Patents Awarded		The number of utility patents in a calendar year, excluding design, plant, or similar patents. Based on legislative staff guidance, Board staff query the USPTO database with a query that counts patents before excluding design patents: "University Name".as. and @pd >=YYYYMMDD<=YYYYMMDD AND (B1.AT. OR B2.AT.). System totals may include duplicate counts if the same patent is awarded to staff/faculty at more than one SUS institution. Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
KPI 20. Number of Licenses/Options Executed Annually		Licenses/options executed in the fiscal year for all technologies Source: As reported by universities on the Association of University Technology Managers Annual (AUTM) annual Licensing Survey.
KPI 21. Number of Start-up Companies Created		The number of start-up companies that were dependent upon the licensing of University technology for initiation. Source: Association of University Technology Managers Annual (AUTM) annual Licensing Survey.