by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Caltech first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Caltech retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 94% students making it past their freshmen year, Caltech 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 California, the average is 73.07%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Caltech | 94% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| California | 73.07% |
How many of the estimated 227 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 79% of the cohort graduated. After six years 89% had completed their degree, and 92% after eight years.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a student is considered to have graduated on time if they complete their degree within six years, making the official Caltech graduation rate 89%.
The average length of time it takes an Caltech undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.15 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 201 | 79% |
| Six Years | 227 | 89% |
| Eight Years | 7 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 20 | 8% |
Approximately 20 students or 8% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 20 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
Caltech lost contact with the remaining 9 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 8 | 40.0% |
| Dropped Out | 9 | 45.0% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Asian | 96% |
| Black / African-American | 50% |
| Hispanic | 76% |
| International | 95% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 100% |
| White | 91% |
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 Caltech 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 California Institute of Technology represent 96% of the students in the class of 2015, and 95.59% of Caltech bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 79%, first-time students in the Caltech class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Caltech graduation rate was 89%, and by the eight year mark, 92% 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 | Caltech | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 79% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 89% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 92% | 47.82% |
20 first-time / full-time students or 8% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
Caltech lost contact with the remaining 9 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 8 | 40.00% |
| Dropped Out | 9 | 45.00% |
Unfortunately, we don’t have access to data on Caltech first-time, part-time students.
10 Caltech students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 3.94% 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 100%, 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 100%.
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 | Caltech | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 100% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 100% | 55.07% |
Unfortunately, we don’t have access to data on Caltech returning, full-time students.
Unfortunately, we don’t have access to data on Caltech returning, part-time students.
