by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Montana State University - Billings? 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 58% students making it past their freshmen year, Montana State University - Billings 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 Montana, the average is 66.19%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Montana State University - Billings | 58% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Montana | 66.19% |
How many of the estimated 562 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 17% of the cohort graduated. After six years 32% had completed their degree, and 35% 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 Montana State University - Billings graduation rate 32%.
The typical Montana State University - Billings student takes 4.67 years to complete their bachelor's degree.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 408 | 23% |
| Six Years | 562 | 32% |
| Eight Years | 41 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,137 | 65% |
Approximately 1137 students or 65% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1137 students who did not complete their degree?
17 are still enrolled.
399 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Billings lost contact with the remaining 705 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 17 | 1.5% |
| Transferred | 399 | 35.1% |
| Dropped Out | 705 | 62.0% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 7% |
| Asian | 38% |
| Black / African-American | 9% |
| Hispanic | 31% |
| International | 43% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 27% |
| Unknown | 29% |
| White | 29% |
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 Montana State University - Billings 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 Montana State University - Billings represent 53% of the students in the class of 2015, and 47.69% of Montana State University - Billings bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time students in the Montana State University - Billings class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Montana State University - Billings graduation rate was 29%, and by the eight year mark, 32% 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 | Montana State University - Billings | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 17% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 29% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 32% | 47.82% |
627 first-time / full-time students or 68% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
17 are still enrolled.
204 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Billings lost contact with the remaining 397 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 17 | 2.71% |
| Transferred | 204 | 32.54% |
| Dropped Out | 397 | 63.32% |
First-time / part-time students at Montana State University - Billings represent 8.88% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 10%, first-time, part-time students in the Montana State University - Billings class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 13%.
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 | Montana State University - Billings | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 10% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 13% | 23.72% |
133 first-time / part-time students or 87% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
22 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Billings lost contact with the remaining 108 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 2.26% |
| Transferred | 22 | 16.54% |
| Dropped Out | 108 | 81.20% |
492 Montana State University - Billings students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 28.19% 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 46%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average for students in this category.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 47%.
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 | Montana State University - Billings | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 46% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 47% | 55.07% |
259 non first-time / part-time students or 53% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
120 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Billings lost contact with the remaining 138 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.39% |
| Transferred | 120 | 46.33% |
| Dropped Out | 138 | 53.28% |
177 Montana State University - Billings students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 10.14% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 31%, 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 33%.
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 | Montana State University - Billings | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 31% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 33% | 37.80% |
118 non first-time / part-time students or 67% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
53 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Billings lost contact with the remaining 62 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 2.54% |
| Transferred | 53 | 44.92% |
| Dropped Out | 62 | 52.54% |
