by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to Limestone College after their first year? Are Limestone College students graduating in a timely manner? What happens to the students who don't graduate? Get all your questions answered here.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 62% students making it past their freshmen year, Limestone College has freshmen retention rates similar to the national average.
Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.
When looking at just colleges and universities in South Carolina, the average is 65.91%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Limestone College | 62% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| South Carolina | 65.91% |
How many of the estimated 589 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 17% of the cohort graduated. After six years 45% had completed their degree, and 47% after 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 Limestone College graduation rate 45%.
The average Limestone College student takes 5.09 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 487 | 37% |
| Six Years | 589 | 45% |
| Eight Years | 26 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 705 | 53% |
Approximately 705 students or 53% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 705 students who did not complete their degree?
7 are still enrolled.
270 transferred to another institution.
Limestone College lost contact with the remaining 421 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 1.0% |
| Transferred | 270 | 38.3% |
| Dropped Out | 421 | 59.7% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Black / African-American | 19% |
| Hispanic | 33% |
| International | 83% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 19% |
| White | 42% |
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 Limestone College 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 Limestone College represent 26% of the students in the class of 2015, and 15.79% of Limestone College bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time students in the Limestone College class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Limestone College graduation rate was 28%, and by the eight year mark, 30% 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 | Limestone College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 17% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 28% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 30% | 47.82% |
235 first-time / full-time students or 70% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
7 are still enrolled.
121 transferred to another institution.
Limestone College lost contact with the remaining 113 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 2.98% |
| Transferred | 121 | 51.49% |
| Dropped Out | 113 | 48.09% |
First-time / part-time students at Limestone College represent 3.56% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 9%, first-time, part-time students in the Limestone College class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 11%.
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 | Limestone College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 4% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 9% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 11% | 23.72% |
42 first-time / part-time students or 89% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
12 transferred to another institution.
Limestone College lost contact with the remaining 30 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 12 | 28.57% |
| Dropped Out | 30 | 71.43% |
764 Limestone College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 57.88% 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 60%, 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 62%.
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 | Limestone College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 60% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 62% | 55.07% |
294 non first-time / part-time students or 38% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
10 are still enrolled.
100 transferred to another institution.
Limestone College lost contact with the remaining 184 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 10 | 3.40% |
| Transferred | 100 | 34.01% |
| Dropped Out | 184 | 62.59% |
171 Limestone College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 12.95% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 18%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 22%.
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 | Limestone College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 18% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 22% | 37.80% |
134 non first-time / part-time students or 78% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
37 transferred to another institution.
Limestone College lost contact with the remaining 94 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 2.24% |
| Transferred | 37 | 27.61% |
| Dropped Out | 94 | 70.15% |
