What Verdica's 767 score means for Windward Community College
Windward Community College's composite score of 767 out of 850 places it in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating solid compliance and operational standing across the dimensions Verdica tracks. This score reflects an institution that meets regulatory expectations and demonstrates reasonable institutional stability based on accreditation, Title IV federal aid compliance, and enrollment/outcome data reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
A reader should interpret this score as a positive signal: the college is not flagged for major compliance failures or accreditation jeopardy. However, the score is not in the "excellent" band (800–850), which means there are documented areas—primarily student outcomes—where performance lags behind best-in-class peers or regulatory benchmarks. For someone evaluating whether to enroll, transfer credits, or do business with the institution, a 767 score suggests acceptable risk, but worth a closer look at the outcome metrics before committing.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 845 (Excellent)
This sub-score reflects the college's standing with its regional or national accreditor. A score of 845 indicates that Windward Community College is accredited in good standing, with no known sanctions, warnings, or probation status. In the education industry, accreditation status is binary—you either hold it or you don't—but Verdica's sub-score also factors in recency and scope of accreditation review. A high accreditation score means the institution has recently undergone evaluation without significant findings that would trigger monitoring or corrective action.
Student Outcomes: 630 (Elevated)
This is the weakest sub-score and reflects metrics such as graduation rates, transfer rates, employment outcomes, or persistence rates—data reported through IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System). A score of 630 places this dimension in the "elevated" risk band, suggesting that Windward's outcomes trail sector or state averages in one or more key areas. For community colleges, this might mean lower-than-expected completion rates, transfer success rates to four-year institutions, or employment placement metrics. This is not a crisis signal but indicates the college should be monitored for improvement or that prospective students should verify specific program outcomes before enrolling.
Compliance: 835 (Excellent)
This sub-score reflects Title IV federal aid program compliance—a regulatory framework that includes proper use of federal student aid funds, timely reporting, and absence of violations related to financial aid administration. A score of 835 indicates that Windward has no known Title IV audit findings, Late Disbursement violations, or material misreporting of aid data. In practice, this means the college is reliably handling federal dollars and is not under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General or regional oversight bodies.
What regulators in HI track for education providers
Hawaii's education regulatory environment includes oversight by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) or equivalent regional body, the U.S. Department of Education (Title IV compliance), and the Hawaii Community College System administration. Regulators monitor:
- Accreditation status: whether the institution holds current accreditation and whether sanctions or probation have been imposed.
- Title IV compliance: timely and accurate reporting of enrollment and financial aid data; proper use of federal student loans and Pell Grants; audit findings related to aid administration.
- IPEDS reporting: graduation rates, retention rates, program completion, transfer-out rates, and employment outcomes, which inform consumer information and institutional accountability metrics.
Scores move down when an institution receives a warning letter, enters probation, fails a Title IV audit, misreports enrollment data, or exhibits chronic underperformance on student outcomes compared to peer institutions.
Bottom line
Windward Community College is a strong, compliant institution with no apparent Title IV or accreditation red flags. Before enrolling or transferring credits, prospective students should independently review the college's specific program completion and transfer rates, especially in their field of study, given the moderately low outcomes sub-score.