by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Lake Superior State 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 freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 73% students making it past their freshmen year, Lake Superior State University 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 | |
|---|---|
| Lake Superior State University | 73% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Michigan | 70.80% |
Of the 1,806 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
28% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 64% in six years, and 65% 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 Lake Superior State University graduation rate 64%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Lake Superior State University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.36 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,645 | 59% |
| Six Years | 1,806 | 64% |
| Eight Years | 33 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 970 | 35% |
Approximately 970 students or 35% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 970 students who did not complete their degree?
3 are still enrolled.
454 transferred to another institution.
Lake Superior State University lost contact with the remaining 512 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 0.3% |
| Transferred | 454 | 46.8% |
| Dropped Out | 512 | 52.8% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 48% |
| Black / African-American | 40% |
| Hispanic | 40% |
| International | 66% |
| White | 50% |
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 Lake Superior State University 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 Lake Superior State University represent 18% of the students in the class of 2015, and 12.35% of Lake Superior State University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 28%, first-time students in the Lake Superior State University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Lake Superior State University graduation rate was 45%, and by the eight year mark, 46% 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 | Lake Superior State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 28% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 45% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 46% | 47.82% |
267 first-time / full-time students or 54% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
159 transferred to another institution.
Lake Superior State University lost contact with the remaining 106 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 1.12% |
| Transferred | 159 | 59.55% |
| Dropped Out | 106 | 39.70% |
First-time / part-time students at Lake Superior State University represent 0.67% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 16%, first-time, part-time students in the Lake Superior State 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 16%.
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 | Lake Superior State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 11% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 16% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 16% | 23.72% |
16 first-time / part-time students or 84% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
Lake Superior State University lost contact with the remaining 8 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 8 | 50.00% |
| Dropped Out | 8 | 50.00% |
1828 Lake Superior State University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 64.66% 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 72%, 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 73%.
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 | Lake Superior State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 72% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 73% | 55.07% |
485 non first-time / part-time students or 27% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
222 transferred to another institution.
Lake Superior State University lost contact with the remaining 263 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 222 | 45.77% |
| Dropped Out | 263 | 54.23% |
477 Lake Superior State University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 16.87% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 56%, 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 | Lake Superior State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 56% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 37.80% |
202 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
65 transferred to another institution.
Lake Superior State University lost contact with the remaining 135 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 0.99% |
| Transferred | 65 | 32.18% |
| Dropped Out | 135 | 66.83% |
