What Verdica's 781 score means for Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas scores 781 out of 850 on Verdica's composite compliance and quality assessment, placing it in the "strong" band (740–799). This score reflects solid performance across accreditation, student outcomes, and regulatory compliance—the three pillars Verdica tracks for education providers.
A score in this range indicates an institution that meets or exceeds baseline regulatory requirements and demonstrates reasonable outcomes for students. It is neither in the highest tier (800–850, reserved for "excellent" providers) nor in the "acceptable" range (670–739), where elevated scrutiny may be warranted. For a business owner or consumer evaluating this college, a 781 suggests low regulatory risk and a track record consistent with state and federal expectations. However, it also indicates room for improvement, particularly in student outcomes, where the sub-score trails the other dimensions.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 845. This near-excellent score reflects strong standing with regional or specialized accreditors. In education compliance, accreditation status is a primary regulatory signal—colleges lose federal Title IV funding eligibility if they lose accreditation. A score of 845 means Cossatot is not at risk of accreditation sanction and is in good standing with its regional authority. This is the strongest of the three sub-scores.
Student Outcomes: 670. This score lands in the "acceptable" band, the lowest of Cossatot's three dimensions. In Verdica's framework, student outcomes typically measure graduation rates, employment placement, student loan repayment performance, and other IPEDS-reported metrics. A score of 670 is not a red flag—it meets regulatory thresholds—but it suggests modest performance relative to peer institutions or industry benchmarks. For prospective students or employers, this indicates the college produces results within expected ranges, but outcomes data should be reviewed directly for program-specific performance.
Compliance: 835. This excellent sub-score reflects full or near-full adherence to Title IV regulations, state licensure requirements, and financial aid administration standards. A score in this range means the institution has no active enforcement actions, audit findings, or significant compliance deficiencies on record with federal or state regulators.
What regulators in AR track for education providers
Arkansas education providers are monitored by multiple regulatory bodies, all of which feed into Verdica's scoring model:
Accreditation status is verified through regional accreditors (such as SACSCOC) and subject-area accreditors. Loss of accreditation, sanctions, or probation status triggers score reductions. Accreditors review institutional quality, governance, financial stability, and educational effectiveness.
Title IV compliance is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. Violations include misreporting enrollment or financial aid data, improper student loan servicing, or failure to meet cash management requirements. The Federal Student Aid office conducts program reviews and can impose fines, require refunds, or suspend aid eligibility for serious breaches.
IPEDS data (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) tracks outcomes like graduation rates, retention, student loan default rates, and program completion. States and accreditors use IPEDS to identify underperforming institutions and trigger interventions.
Infractions that lower scores include accreditation warnings, Title IV audit findings, high student loan default rates, low graduation rates, and financial instability flags. Conversely, clean audits, timely data reporting, and acceptable outcome metrics sustain or improve scores.
Bottom line
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas presents a strong compliance profile with a 781 score, driven by excellent accreditation and regulatory standing. The relatively lower student outcomes sub-score warrants a direct review of graduation and employment data for your specific program of interest before committing to enrollment or partnership.