by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg State retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
Freshmen retention rate refers to the percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year.
With 77% students making it past their freshmen year, Fitchburg 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 Massachusetts, the average is 73.02%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Fitchburg State | 77% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Massachusetts | 73.02% |
Of the 700 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
36% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 58% in six years, and 59% 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 Fitchburg State graduation rate 58%.
The average Fitchburg State student takes 4.37 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 481 | 40% |
| Six Years | 700 | 58% |
| Eight Years | 23 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 493 | 41% |
Approximately 493 students or 41% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 493 students who did not complete their degree?
4 are still enrolled.
332 transferred to another institution.
Fitchburg State lost contact with the remaining 151 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 0.8% |
| Transferred | 332 | 67.3% |
| Dropped Out | 151 | 30.6% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Asian | 42% |
| Black / African-American | 64% |
| Hispanic | 49% |
| International | 67% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 52% |
| Unknown | 56% |
| White | 60% |
Some schools have mainly first-time, full-time students, while others cater to part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. For a variety of reasons first-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are usually more likely to graduate in four years.
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 Fitchburg State are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
Comparing the graduation rates of specific cohorts shown below will be more revealing than the overall statistics shared above.
First-time / full-time students at Fitchburg State University represent 58% of the students in the class of 2015, and 59.71% of Fitchburg State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 36%, first-time students in the Fitchburg State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Fitchburg State graduation rate was 60%, and by the eight year mark, 61% 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 | Fitchburg State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 36% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 60% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 47.82% |
274 first-time / full-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
185 transferred to another institution.
Fitchburg State lost contact with the remaining 84 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 1.46% |
| Transferred | 185 | 67.52% |
| Dropped Out | 84 | 30.66% |
First-time / part-time students at Fitchburg State University represent 0.90% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 9%, first-time, part-time students in the Fitchburg State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 9%.
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 | Fitchburg State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 9% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 9% | 23.72% |
10 first-time / part-time students or 91% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
Fitchburg State lost contact with the remaining 1 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 10.00% |
| Transferred | 8 | 80.00% |
| Dropped Out | 1 | 10.00% |
386 Fitchburg State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 31.72% 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 59%, 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 | Fitchburg State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 59% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 55.07% |
151 non first-time / part-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
108 transferred to another institution.
Fitchburg State lost contact with the remaining 41 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 1.32% |
| Transferred | 108 | 71.52% |
| Dropped Out | 41 | 27.15% |
119 Fitchburg State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 9.78% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 44%, 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 51%.
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 | Fitchburg State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 44% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 51% | 37.80% |
58 non first-time / part-time students or 49% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
31 transferred to another institution.
Fitchburg State lost contact with the remaining 25 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 3.45% |
| Transferred | 31 | 53.45% |
| Dropped Out | 25 | 43.10% |
