by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Columbia Southern University? 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 62% students making it past their freshmen year, Columbia Southern University has freshmen retention rates similar to the national average.
Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.
When looking at just colleges and universities in Alabama, the average is 66.79%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Columbia Southern University | 62% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Alabama | 66.79% |
How many of the estimated 3,931 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 26% of the cohort graduated. After six years 46% had completed their degree, and 49% 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 Columbia Southern University graduation rate 46%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Columbia Southern University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.41 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 3,337 | 39% |
| Six Years | 3,931 | 46% |
| Eight Years | 276 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 4,373 | 51% |
Approximately 4373 students or 51% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 4373 students who did not complete their degree?
29 are still enrolled.
40 transferred to another institution.
Columbia Southern University lost contact with the remaining 4040 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 29 | 0.7% |
| Transferred | 40 | 0.9% |
| Dropped Out | 4,040 | 92.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 38% |
| Black / African-American | 19% |
| Hispanic | 25% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 10% |
| Unknown | 21% |
| White | 38% |
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 Columbia Southern University 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 Columbia Southern University represent 11% of the students in the class of 2015, and 7.35% of Columbia Southern University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 26%, first-time students in the Columbia Southern University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Columbia Southern University graduation rate was 32%, and by the eight year mark, 33% 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 | Columbia Southern University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 26% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 32% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 33% | 47.82% |
604 first-time / full-time students or 67% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
29 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
Columbia Southern University lost contact with the remaining 581 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 29 | 4.80% |
| Transferred | 8 | 1.32% |
| Dropped Out | 581 | 96.19% |
First-time / part-time students at Columbia Southern University represent 8.71% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 15%, first-time, part-time students in the Columbia Southern University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 18%.
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 | Columbia Southern University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 10% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 15% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 18% | 23.72% |
615 first-time / part-time students or 82% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
29 are still enrolled.
3 transferred to another institution.
Columbia Southern University lost contact with the remaining 583 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 29 | 4.72% |
| Transferred | 3 | 0.49% |
| Dropped Out | 583 | 94.80% |
4170 Columbia Southern University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 48.52% 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 58%, 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 61%.
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 | Columbia Southern University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 58% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 55.07% |
1624 non first-time / part-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
95 are still enrolled.
18 transferred to another institution.
Columbia Southern University lost contact with the remaining 1511 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 95 | 5.85% |
| Transferred | 18 | 1.11% |
| Dropped Out | 1,511 | 93.04% |
2767 Columbia Southern University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 32.19% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 40%, 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 45%.
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 | Columbia Southern University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 40% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 45% | 37.80% |
1530 non first-time / part-time students or 55% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
154 are still enrolled.
11 transferred to another institution.
Columbia Southern University lost contact with the remaining 1365 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 154 | 10.07% |
| Transferred | 11 | 0.72% |
| Dropped Out | 1,365 | 89.22% |
