by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Appalachian 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 86% students making it past their freshmen year, Appalachian 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 North Carolina, the average is 66.53%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Appalachian State | 86% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| North Carolina | 66.53% |
How many of the estimated 3,318 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
50% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 72% in six years, and 74% in eight years.
The official graduation rate of Appalachian State is 72%. 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 average Appalachian State student takes 4.31 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,499 | 55% |
| Six Years | 3,318 | 72% |
| Eight Years | 55 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,206 | 26% |
Approximately 1206 students or 26% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1206 students who did not complete their degree?
16 are still enrolled.
831 transferred to another institution.
Appalachian State lost contact with the remaining 351 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 1.3% |
| Transferred | 831 | 68.9% |
| Dropped Out | 351 | 29.1% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 27% |
| Asian | 64% |
| Black / African-American | 66% |
| Hispanic | 68% |
| International | 76% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 63% |
| Unknown | 76% |
| White | 74% |
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 Appalachian 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 Appalachian State University represent 70% of the students in the class of 2015, and 70.19% of Appalachian State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 50%, first-time students in the Appalachian State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Appalachian State graduation rate was 72%, and by the eight year mark, 74% 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 | Appalachian State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 50% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 72% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 74% | 47.82% |
838 first-time / full-time students or 26% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
16 are still enrolled.
610 transferred to another institution.
Appalachian State lost contact with the remaining 206 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 1.91% |
| Transferred | 610 | 72.79% |
| Dropped Out | 206 | 24.58% |
First-time / part-time students at Appalachian State University represent 0.37% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 12%, first-time, part-time students in the Appalachian State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 12%.
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 | Appalachian State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 6% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 12% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 12% | 23.72% |
15 first-time / part-time students or 88% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
6 transferred to another institution.
Appalachian State lost contact with the remaining 9 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 6 | 40.00% |
| Dropped Out | 9 | 60.00% |
1259 Appalachian State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 27.42% 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 74%, 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 75%.
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 | Appalachian State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 74% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 75% | 55.07% |
313 non first-time / part-time students or 25% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
192 transferred to another institution.
Appalachian State lost contact with the remaining 119 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 0.64% |
| Transferred | 192 | 61.34% |
| Dropped Out | 119 | 38.02% |
93 Appalachian State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 2.03% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 57%, 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 57%.
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 | Appalachian State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 57% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 37.80% |
40 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
23 transferred to another institution.
Appalachian State lost contact with the remaining 17 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 23 | 57.50% |
| Dropped Out | 17 | 42.50% |
