Success Indicators
Success measures for the Institute are evidence of student learning through the quantifying and monitoring of the instructional experience of SDI students. The academic assessment process provides the means for governing and monitoring the educational experience of our students, and for gathering evidence of student learning. Information provided as most recently reported to DEAC for the 2023 annual report. The 2023 annual report covers the institutions activities from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Students surveyed who said they achieved their learning goals
Associate of Science in Firearms Technology Degree Rate
94%
Certificate in Firearms Technology – Gunsmithing Rate
93%
Certificate in Uncrewed Technology – Aerial Systems Rate
93%
Students surveyed who would recommend SDI to a friend
Associate of Science in Firearms Technology Degree Rate
95%
Certificate in Firearms Technology – Gunsmithing Rate
94%
Certificate in Uncrewed Technology – Aerial Systems Rate
93%
Students surveyed who were satisfied with their studies
Associate of Science in Firearms Technology Degree Rate
94%
Certificate in Firearms Technology – Gunsmithing Rate
95%
Certificate in Uncrewed Technology – Aerial Systems Rate
93%
Graduation Rate After Exclusions
Associate of Science in Firearms Technology Degree Rate
41.76%
Certificate in Firearms Technology – Gunsmithing Rate
52.13%
Certificate in Uncrewed Technology – Aerial Systems Rate
64.17%
Retention Rate as reported in IPEDS*
First-time, Full-time Retention Rate
73%
First-time, Part-time Retention Rate
73%
Overall Graduation Rate As Reported in IPEDS*
Graduation Rate
32%
Graduation Rate By Fund Source Recipients
Pell: 34%
Direct Loan: 22%
All Other: 33%
Graduation Rate By Gender
Male: 32%
Female: 39%
Graduation Rate By Gender and Racial/Ethnic Subgroup
Men
U.S. Nonresident: N/A
Hispanic/Latino: 30%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 10%
Asian: 11%
Black or African American: 19%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 33%
White: 34%
Two or more races: 30%
Race and ethnicity unknown: 30%
Total Men
32%
Women
U.S. Nonresident: N/A
Hispanic/Latino: 20%
American Indian or Alaska Native: N/A
Asian: N/A
Black or African American: N/A
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: N/A
White: 44%
Two or more races: 100%
Race and ethnicity unknown: N/A
Total Women
39%
Men and Women
U.S. Nonresident: N/A
Hispanic/Latino: 30%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 10%
Asian: 11%
Black or African American: 19%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 33%
White: 34%
Two or more races: 31%
Race and ethnicity unknown: 30%
Total Men and Women
32%
*Information is reported per the most recent IPEDS survey.
Success measures of Sonoran Desert Institute are reviewed by the SDI Board of Directors each year at its annual meeting.
Notification to Students
In October 2022, the U.S. Department of Education introduced updated regulations for calculating the 90/10 rule, which requires institutions to derive a minimum percentage of revenue from non-federal sources. Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) fell just short of the 90/10 requirement for fiscal year 2024. While this does not immediately impact SDI’s eligibility for Title IV federal student aid, a second consecutive shortfall in fiscal year 2025 would result in a loss of eligibility.
SDI is fully committed to meeting the 90/10 requirement moving forward and has already implemented targeted strategies to ensure compliance for 2025. If you have any questions, please contact us at compliance@sdi.edu.
Student Diversity
Men
98%
Women
2%
White
73%
Hispanic/Latino
13%
American Indian or Alaskan Native
1%
Black/African American
6%
Asian
1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
Unknown
2%
Academic Calendar
Please visit the Academic Calendar page of our website for the most current calendar information.
General Information
Name of Institution
Sonoran Desert Institute
Address
1555 W. University Dr., Ste. 103, Tempe, AZ 85281
Year Founded
2000
First Accredited
2004
Accreditation Expires
June 2028
President
Traci Lee