by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many ETSU first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore ETSU 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 78% students making it past their freshmen year, ETSU 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 Tennessee, the average is 71.48%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| ETSU | 78% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Tennessee | 71.48% |
How many of the estimated 1,870 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
21% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 47% in six years, and 50% in eight years.
Any student who completes their bachelor's degree within six years is considered to have graduated on time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This makes the offical ETSU graduation rate 47%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at ETSU? The standard length of time for most students is 4.49 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,325 | 34% |
| Six Years | 1,870 | 47% |
| Eight Years | 84 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,983 | 50% |
Approximately 1983 students or 50% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1983 students who did not complete their degree?
26 are still enrolled.
1104 transferred to another institution.
ETSU lost contact with the remaining 827 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 1.3% |
| Transferred | 1104 | 55.7% |
| Dropped Out | 827 | 41.7% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 25% |
| Asian | 64% |
| Black / African-American | 27% |
| Hawaiian | 100% |
| Hispanic | 40% |
| International | 60% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 31% |
| Unknown | 46% |
| White | 53% |
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 ETSU 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 East Tennessee State University represent 54% of the students in the class of 2015, and 46.74% of ETSU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 21%, first-time students in the ETSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the ETSU graduation rate was 41%, and by the eight year mark, 44% 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 | ETSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 21% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 41% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 44% | 47.82% |
1193 first-time / full-time students or 56% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
26 are still enrolled.
690 transferred to another institution.
ETSU lost contact with the remaining 471 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 2.18% |
| Transferred | 690 | 57.84% |
| Dropped Out | 471 | 39.48% |
First-time / part-time students at East Tennessee State University represent 2.82% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 2%, first-time, part-time students in the ETSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 2%.
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 | ETSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 2% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 2% | 23.72% |
109 first-time / part-time students or 98% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
45 transferred to another institution.
ETSU lost contact with the remaining 62 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 1.83% |
| Transferred | 45 | 41.28% |
| Dropped Out | 62 | 56.88% |
1330 ETSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 33.76% 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 62%, 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 63%.
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 | ETSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 62% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 63% | 55.07% |
493 non first-time / part-time students or 37% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
13 are still enrolled.
258 transferred to another institution.
ETSU lost contact with the remaining 222 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 13 | 2.64% |
| Transferred | 258 | 52.33% |
| Dropped Out | 222 | 45.03% |
359 ETSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 9.11% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 47%, 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 48%.
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 | ETSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 47% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 48% | 37.80% |
188 non first-time / part-time students or 52% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
111 transferred to another institution.
ETSU lost contact with the remaining 72 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 2.66% |
| Transferred | 111 | 59.04% |
| Dropped Out | 72 | 38.30% |
