Calculate your academic completion ratio from successfully completed and attempted credits, check a custom SAP target, and estimate credits needed to improve.

Use credits counted under the same current institutional policy. A ratio or target comparison alone does not determine aid eligibility.

Optional settings

Optional. Enter the target from your school’s current policy. Blank omits the comparison.

Completion Ratio Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Completion Ratio. 

COMPR = CE / CA × 100
  • Where COMPR is the Completion Ratio (%)
  • CE is the number of credit hours earned 
  • CA is the number of credit hours attempted 

To express the completion ratio as a percentage, divide successfully completed credits by attempted credits, then multiply by 100. Use the same institutional counting rules for both totals.

How to Calculate Completion Ratio?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Completion Ratio.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the number of credit hours earned.
    • The number of credit hours earned is given as 20.
  2. Next, determine the number of credit hours attempted.
    • The number of credit hours attempted is provided as 40.
  3. Finally, calculate the Completion Ratio using the equation above: 

COMPR = #CE / #CA * 100

The values given above are inserted into the equation below and the solution is calculated:

COMPR = 20 / 40 * 100 = 50.00 (%)

FAQ

What is the significance of calculating the Completion Ratio?
The Completion Ratio is a significant metric in educational contexts, particularly in colleges and universities. It helps students and administrators understand a student’s progress towards graduation. A higher Completion Ratio indicates that a student is successfully completing a significant portion of their attempted coursework, which is crucial for maintaining academic standing, financial aid eligibility, and timely graduation.

Can the Completion Ratio affect a student’s financial aid?
SAP pace may affect eligibility where applicable, but there is no universal federal 67% to 75% threshold for every program. Use the institution’s current SAP policy; qualitative standards, maximum timeframe and other eligibility rules also matter. A target comparison in this calculator does not establish eligibility. See the 2026–27 Federal Student Aid Handbook.

How can students improve their Completion Ratio?
Successfully completing additional credits may improve the ratio when they count as both completed and attempted. Academic support and an appropriate course load may help, but repeat, withdrawal and transfer-credit treatment follows institutional policy. Do not assume a passed repeat always adds completed credits again or that improving this ratio alone restores aid. Confirm counting and any appeal or academic-plan requirements with the financial aid office.