Case Study: Texas A&M University-Commerce achieves accelerated degree completion and ~$9K in cost savings with D2L Brightspace

How this innovative university is addressing the 60x30TX initiative

Texas A&M University‑Commerce, a public institution of about 12,500 students, has adopted competency‑based education (CBE) to help meet Texas’ 60x30TX goal of 60% of residents earning a certificate or degree by 2030. The initiative targets “new traditional” adult learners—many juggling work and family—who face time, transfer‑credit and financial barriers to finishing degrees.

Since launching the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate (TAB) CBE program in 2014, A&M‑Commerce scaled from a 7‑student pilot to over 400 enrollees and more than 400 graduates, delivering an average time‑to‑degree of 1.4 years and an average cost‑to‑degree of about $6,000 (roughly $9,000 savings versus comparable traditional programs). By combining Brightspace analytics, prior‑learning assessment, flat‑rate tuition and employer‑aligned competency frameworks, the university reports ~85% term retention and completion rates while improving speed to completion and reducing student debt.

Texas A&M University-Commerce

James Fountain

Executive Director for the Institute for Competency-Based Education