by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Ferris first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Ferris retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 79% students making it past their freshmen year, Ferris 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 Michigan, the average is 70.80%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Ferris | 79% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Michigan | 70.80% |
How many of the estimated 2,515 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
31% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 55% in six years, and 57% 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 Ferris graduation rate 55%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Ferris? The standard length of time for most students is 4.51 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,917 | 42% |
| Six Years | 2,515 | 55% |
| Eight Years | 83 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,975 | 43% |
Approximately 1975 students or 43% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1975 students who did not complete their degree?
10 are still enrolled.
1207 transferred to another institution.
Ferris lost contact with the remaining 730 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 10 | 0.5% |
| Transferred | 1207 | 61.1% |
| Dropped Out | 730 | 37.0% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 22% |
| Asian | 44% |
| Black / African-American | 22% |
| Hispanic | 36% |
| International | 66% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 39% |
| Unknown | 47% |
| White | 54% |
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 Ferris 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 Ferris State University represent 47% of the students in the class of 2015, and 42.50% of Ferris bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 31%, first-time students in the Ferris class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Ferris graduation rate was 50%, and by the eight year mark, 51% 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 | Ferris | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 31% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 50% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 51% | 47.82% |
1050 first-time / full-time students or 49% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
10 are still enrolled.
732 transferred to another institution.
Ferris lost contact with the remaining 304 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 10 | 0.95% |
| Transferred | 732 | 69.71% |
| Dropped Out | 304 | 28.95% |
First-time / part-time students at Ferris State University represent 1.49% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 22%, first-time, part-time students in the Ferris class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 29%.
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 | Ferris | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 12% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 22% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 29% | 23.72% |
48 first-time / part-time students or 71% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
23 transferred to another institution.
Ferris lost contact with the remaining 24 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 2.08% |
| Transferred | 23 | 47.92% |
| Dropped Out | 24 | 50.00% |
1226 Ferris students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 26.80% 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 67%, 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 68%.
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 | Ferris | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 67% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 68% | 55.07% |
395 non first-time / part-time students or 32% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
6 are still enrolled.
229 transferred to another institution.
Ferris lost contact with the remaining 160 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 1.52% |
| Transferred | 229 | 57.97% |
| Dropped Out | 160 | 40.51% |
1125 Ferris students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 24.60% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 54%, 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 57%.
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 | Ferris | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 54% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 37.80% |
482 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
17 are still enrolled.
223 transferred to another institution.
Ferris lost contact with the remaining 242 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 17 | 3.53% |
| Transferred | 223 | 46.27% |
| Dropped Out | 242 | 50.21% |
