by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Fresno State first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Fresno State 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 87% students making it past their freshmen year, Fresno 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 California, the average is 73.07%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Fresno State | 87% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| California | 73.07% |
How many of the estimated 3,710 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
15% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 65% in six years, and 69% in 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 Fresno State graduation rate 65%.
The average length of time it takes an Fresno State undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.95 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,311 | 40% |
| Six Years | 3,710 | 65% |
| Eight Years | 260 | 4% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,754 | 31% |
Approximately 1754 students or 31% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1754 students who did not complete their degree?
71 are still enrolled.
962 transferred to another institution.
Fresno State lost contact with the remaining 708 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 71 | 4.0% |
| Transferred | 962 | 54.8% |
| Dropped Out | 708 | 40.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 33% |
| Asian | 50% |
| Black / African-American | 42% |
| Hawaiian | 67% |
| Hispanic | 57% |
| International | 57% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 61% |
| Unknown | 61% |
| White | 66% |
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 Fresno 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 California State University - Fresno represent 50% of the students in the class of 2015, and 42.70% of Fresno State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 15%, first-time students in the Fresno State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Fresno State graduation rate was 56%, and by the eight year mark, 63% 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 | Fresno State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 15% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 56% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 63% | 47.82% |
1065 first-time / full-time students or 37% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
71 are still enrolled.
615 transferred to another institution.
Fresno State lost contact with the remaining 388 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 71 | 6.67% |
| Transferred | 615 | 57.75% |
| Dropped Out | 388 | 36.43% |
First-time / part-time students at California State University - Fresno represent 1.83% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 29%, first-time, part-time students in the Fresno 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 31%.
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 | Fresno State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 29% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 31% | 23.72% |
72 first-time / part-time students or 69% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
39 transferred to another institution.
Fresno State lost contact with the remaining 30 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 4.17% |
| Transferred | 39 | 54.17% |
| Dropped Out | 30 | 41.67% |
2190 Fresno State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 38.26% 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 79%, 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 81%.
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 | Fresno State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 79% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 81% | 55.07% |
412 non first-time / part-time students or 19% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
11 are still enrolled.
210 transferred to another institution.
Fresno State lost contact with the remaining 191 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 2.67% |
| Transferred | 210 | 50.97% |
| Dropped Out | 191 | 46.36% |
583 Fresno State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 10.19% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 62%, 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 65%.
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 | Fresno State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 62% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 65% | 37.80% |
205 non first-time / part-time students or 35% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
8 are still enrolled.
98 transferred to another institution.
Fresno State lost contact with the remaining 99 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 8 | 3.90% |
| Transferred | 98 | 47.80% |
| Dropped Out | 99 | 48.29% |
