by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Colorado 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 freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 85% students making it past their freshmen year, Colorado 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 Colorado, the average is 70.70%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Colorado State | 85% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Colorado | 70.70% |
Of the 5,232 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
After four years 45% of the cohort graduated. After six years 69% had completed their degree, and 71% 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 Colorado State graduation rate 69%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Colorado State? The standard length of time for most students is 4.40 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 3,615 | 48% |
| Six Years | 5,232 | 69% |
| Eight Years | 145 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,174 | 29% |
Approximately 2174 students or 29% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2174 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
773 transferred to another institution.
Colorado State lost contact with the remaining 1301 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 773 | 35.6% |
| Dropped Out | 1,301 | 59.8% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 65% |
| Asian | 71% |
| Black / African-American | 65% |
| Hawaiian | 100% |
| Hispanic | 66% |
| International | 65% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 63% |
| Unknown | 69% |
| White | 71% |
First-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are much more likely to graduate in four years. Some schools cater to mostly traditional students while others cater to 'non-traditional' students. So called 'non-traditional' students include part-time students or those who may be returning after an absense. It is common for part-time and/or adult students to take longer to graduate.
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 Colorado State are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
Examining the graduation rates of the specific cohorts shown below may be more revealing than looking at the overall graduaton rates.
First-time / full-time students at Colorado State University - Fort Collins represent 68% of the students in the class of 2015, and 69.30% of Colorado State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 45%, first-time students in the Colorado State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Colorado State graduation rate was 71%, and by the eight year mark, 73% 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 | Colorado State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 45% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 71% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 73% | 47.82% |
1392 first-time / full-time students or 27% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
557 transferred to another institution.
Colorado State lost contact with the remaining 750 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 557 | 40.01% |
| Dropped Out | 750 | 53.88% |
First-time / part-time students at Colorado State University - Fort Collins represent 2.70% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 40%, first-time, part-time students in the Colorado 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 43%.
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 | Colorado State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 12% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 40% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 43% | 23.72% |
116 first-time / part-time students or 57% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
20 transferred to another institution.
Colorado State lost contact with the remaining 96 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 20 | 17.24% |
| Dropped Out | 96 | 82.76% |
1757 Colorado State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 23.25% 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 | Colorado State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 74% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 75% | 55.07% |
434 non first-time / part-time students or 25% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
13 are still enrolled.
152 transferred to another institution.
Colorado State lost contact with the remaining 269 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 13 | 3.00% |
| Transferred | 152 | 35.02% |
| Dropped Out | 269 | 61.98% |
464 Colorado State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 6.14% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 48%, 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 50%.
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 | Colorado State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 48% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 50% | 37.80% |
232 non first-time / part-time students or 50% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
44 transferred to another institution.
Colorado State lost contact with the remaining 186 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 0.86% |
| Transferred | 44 | 18.97% |
| Dropped Out | 186 | 80.17% |
