Texas Southern University Achieves Significant Gains in Student Academic Success Metrics

Student success at Texas Southern University continues to accelerate, with measurable improvements in persistence, progression, and academic achievement over the past two academic years.

In Fall 2025, full-time (FT) undergraduate enrollment reached 6,366 students, and 51 percent of the FT undergraduate population earned academic honors, qualifying for the Honor Roll, Dean’s List, or President’s List. Nearly one in every two FT undergraduates achieved distinction — a powerful indicator of rising academic performance and a strengthening culture of excellence across the institution.

The University has also achieved a remarkable 13 percentage point increase in student persistence, defined as the percentage of first-time freshmen who return for their second year. Persistence rates climbed from 57 percent in 2022- 2023, to 66 percent in 2023-2024, and to 70 percent in 2024- 2025. These results reflect sustained year-over-year growth and clear institutional momentum in supporting student retention.

Equally notable, Texas Southern University realized a 15-percentage point increase in student progression, the rate at which first-time freshmen successfully earn the 30 credit hours required to be classified as sophomores during their second year. Progression improved from 20 percent in 2022 to 2023, to 26 percent in 2023 to 2024, and surpassed 35 percent in 2024 to 2025. These gains reflect strengthened academic support systems, enhanced advising strategies, and a focused institutional commitment to keeping students on track toward timely degree completion.

“The progress we are seeing in persistence, progression, and academic achievement is the result of intentional strategy and a shared commitment to student success,” said Dr. Carl B. Goodman, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. “When nearly half of our undergraduates earn academic honors and progression increases by 15 percentage points, it signals that our students are rising to higher expectations. Initiatives such as Earn Your Tiger Stripes reinforce our 15 x 8 equals graduate philosophy and ensure students complete their first 30 credit hours on time. These outcomes reflect a culture grounded in excellence, accountability, and timely degree completion.”

The University’s commitment to progression is further reinforced through its Earn Your Tiger Stripes initiative. More than 600 students earned their Tiger Stripes this year, marking completion of their first 30 credit hours and progression to sophomore status. The celebration recognizes first-year students who successfully complete the credits required to stay on track toward timely graduation. At Texas Southern University, the guiding principle is clear: 15 x 8 equals graduate. By completing 15 credit hours per semester across eight semesters, students position themselves to earn their degrees in four years. The Tiger Stripes milestone represents the first major academic benchmark and reinforces the University’s structured approach to degree completion.

Those achievements take center stage during the University’s signature “Storm the Court” celebration. For the Spring 2026 semester’s iteration of “Storm the Court,” more than 3,200 high-achieving scholars step onto center court during halftime of the men’s basketball game to be recognized for their academic accomplishments. Storm the Court represents more than recognition; it reflects the University’s commitment to placing academic excellence at the center of campus life. By celebrating scholars in the same arena where athletic competition unfolds, Texas Southern reinforces a clear message: achievement in the classroom is the University’s highest priority. The scale of this year’s celebration mirrors the measurable gains in persistence and progression and demonstrates that improved student success strategies are translating directly into higher levels of academic performance.

Together, these outcomes underscore Texas Southern University’s disciplined focus on student achievement, academic rigor, and institutional accountability. The continued gains in persistence and progression signal not only improved retention, but a strengthening academic culture that positions students for timely graduation and long-term success.