Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

Surgical Technology Program and Graduate Outcomes

The following data were gathered from the Annual Reports that all Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) -accredited Surgical Technology programs are required to submit to the ARC/STSA. Publication of this national data is part of the ARC/STSA’s commitment to transparency and quality higher education in Surgical Technology.

 

Surgical Technology Outcomes Trends 2013-2015*
OUTCOME Year Percentage OUTCOME Year Percentage
Student Graduation 2015 65.30% Employer Survey Return Rate 2015 64.86%
2014 60.41% 2014 64.76%
2013 60.92% 2013 65.66%
OUTCOME Year Percentage OUTCOME Year Percentage
CST™ Exam** Participation Rate 2015 96.87% Employer Satisfaction Rate 2015 95.90%
2014 95.69% 2014 95.17%
2013 90.60% 2013 94.02%
OUTCOME Year Percentage OUTCOME Year Percentage
CST™ Exam** Pass Rate 2015 77.30% Graduate Survey Return Rate 2015 65.85%
2014 75.77% 2014 62.37%
2013 64.93% 2013 63.13%
OUTCOME Year Percentage OUTCOME Year Percentage
Graduate Placement 2015 85.38% Graduate Satisfaction Rate 2015 96.98%
2014 83.50% 2014 96.13%
2013 78.05% 2013 94.72%

*Data gathered from annual reports submitted by accredited programs.

**CST™ as administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

The ARC/STSA has established the following thresholds for each outcome

Student Graduation Rate 70% for all graduates
CST™ Exam Participation 100% for all graduates
CST™ Pass Rate 70% for all graduates
Graduate Job Placement 80% for all graduates
Employer Survey Return Rate 50% for all surveys sent to employers
Employer Satisfaction Rate 85% for all employers who return the survey
Graduate Survey Return Rate 50% for all surveys sent to graduates
Graduate Satisfaction 85% for all graduates who return the survey

1/4/2016