by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Michigan State? Find out how many students return after their freshman year, how long it takes to graduate, and what happens to the students who don't.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 91% students making it past their freshmen year, Michigan State has freshmen retention rates above the national average.
Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.
When looking at just colleges and universities in Michigan, the average is 70.80%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Michigan State | 91% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Michigan | 70.80% |
Of the 8,104 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
52% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 79% in six years, and 81% in eight years.
The official graduation rate of Michigan State is 79%. This is the percentage of students who completed their degree within 150% of the published time. That means six years for a standard bachelor's degree program.
The typical Michigan State student takes 4.35 years to complete their bachelor's degree.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5,604 | 55% |
| Six Years | 8,104 | 79% |
| Eight Years | 164 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,980 | 19% |
Approximately 1980 students or 19% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1980 students who did not complete their degree?
35 are still enrolled.
1424 transferred to another institution.
Michigan State lost contact with the remaining 523 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 35 | 1.8% |
| Transferred | 1424 | 71.9% |
| Dropped Out | 523 | 26.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 81% |
| Asian | 87% |
| Black / African-American | 63% |
| Hawaiian | 78% |
| Hispanic | 72% |
| International | 81% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 74% |
| Unknown | 71% |
| White | 84% |
First-time, full-time students, under the age of 25 are known as traditional students. These students are more likely to graduate in four years than so called 'non-traditional' students that includes part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. Some schools cater to non-traditional students and it may affect their overall graduation rates.
Traditional Students:
First-time, full-time students under the age of 25.
Non-Traditional Students:
Any student that is not first-time, full-time, and under the age of 25.
The majority of students at Michigan State are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
How does this school do graduating the type of student you are most concerned bout?
First-time / full-time students at Michigan State University represent 77% of the students in the class of 2015, and 77.30% of Michigan State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 52%, first-time students in the Michigan State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Michigan State graduation rate was 79%, and by the eight year mark, 81% of the cohort had completed their degree.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for first-time undergraduates attending classes full-time is 37.92% after four years, 46.43% after six years, and 47.82% after eight years.
| First-Time / Full-Time Completions | Michigan State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 52% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 79% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 81% | 47.82% |
1488 first-time / full-time students or 19% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
35 are still enrolled.
1096 transferred to another institution.
Michigan State lost contact with the remaining 364 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 35 | 2.35% |
| Transferred | 1096 | 73.66% |
| Dropped Out | 364 | 24.46% |
First-time / part-time students at Michigan State University represent 1.66% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 46%, first-time, part-time students in the Michigan State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 48%.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for first-time undergraduates attending classes part-time is: 14.37% after four years, 21.59% after six years, 23.72% after eight years.
| First-Time / Part-Time Completions | Michigan State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 26% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 46% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 48% | 23.72% |
88 first-time / part-time students or 52% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
66 transferred to another institution.
Michigan State lost contact with the remaining 21 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 1.14% |
| Transferred | 66 | 75.00% |
| Dropped Out | 21 | 23.86% |
1968 Michigan State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 19.18% of the students in the class of 2015.
Non first-time students could include transfer students or adults who have returned to school after an absense.
With a six year graduation rate of 82%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate higher than the national average for students in this category.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 83%.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for non first-time undergraduates attending classes full-time is: 49.57% after four years, 53.83% after six years, and 55.07% after eight years.
| Returning / Full-Time Completions | Michigan State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 82% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 83% | 55.07% |
325 non first-time / part-time students or 17% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
215 transferred to another institution.
Michigan State lost contact with the remaining 107 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 0.92% |
| Transferred | 215 | 66.15% |
| Dropped Out | 107 | 32.92% |
222 Michigan State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 2.16% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 63%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate higher than the national average.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 64%.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for non first-time undergraduates attending classes part-time is: 36.03% after six years, 36.03% after eight years.
| Returning / Part-Time Completions | Michigan State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 63% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 64% | 37.80% |
79 non first-time / part-time students or 36% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
47 transferred to another institution.
Michigan State lost contact with the remaining 31 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 1.27% |
| Transferred | 47 | 59.49% |
| Dropped Out | 31 | 39.24% |
