by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Lehigh? 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 91% students making it past their freshmen year, Lehigh 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 Pennsylvania, the average is 73.24%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Lehigh | 91% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Pennsylvania | 73.24% |
How many of the estimated 1,103 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
76% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 86% in six years, and 87% 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 Lehigh graduation rate 86%.
The average length of time it takes an Lehigh undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.12 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 985 | 77% |
| Six Years | 1,103 | 86% |
| Eight Years | 11 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 171 | 13% |
Approximately 171 students or 13% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 171 students who did not complete their degree?
3 are still enrolled.
135 transferred to another institution.
Lehigh lost contact with the remaining 33 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 1.8% |
| Transferred | 135 | 78.9% |
| Dropped Out | 33 | 19.3% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Asian | 91% |
| Black / African-American | 81% |
| Hispanic | 86% |
| International | 81% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 75% |
| Unknown | 84% |
| White | 90% |
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 Lehigh 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 Lehigh University represent 95% of the students in the class of 2015, and 95.10% of Lehigh bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 76%, first-time students in the Lehigh class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Lehigh graduation rate was 86%, and by the eight year mark, 86% 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 | Lehigh | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 76% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 86% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 86% | 47.82% |
166 first-time / full-time students or 14% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
133 transferred to another institution.
Lehigh lost contact with the remaining 30 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 1.81% |
| Transferred | 133 | 80.12% |
| Dropped Out | 30 | 18.07% |
Unfortunately, we don’t have access to data on Lehigh first-time, part-time students.
52 Lehigh students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 4.04% 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 96%, 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 96%.
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 | Lehigh | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 96% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 96% | 55.07% |
2 non first-time / part-time students or 4% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
0 transferred to another institution.
Lehigh lost contact with the remaining 2 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 0 | 0.00% |
| Dropped Out | 2 | 100.00% |
8 Lehigh students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 0.62% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 50%, 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 63%.
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 | Lehigh | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 50% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 63% | 37.80% |
3 non first-time / part-time students or 37% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
2 transferred to another institution.
Lehigh lost contact with the remaining 1 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 2 | 66.67% |
| Dropped Out | 1 | 33.33% |
