by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Montana State University - Northern? 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 70% students making it past their freshmen year, Montana State University - Northern 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 - Northern | 70% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Montana | 66.19% |
There were approximately 278 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
25% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 42% in six years, and 43% 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 Montana State University - Northern graduation rate 42%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Montana State University - Northern? The standard length of time for most students is 4.27 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 239 | 36% |
| Six Years | 278 | 42% |
| Eight Years | 8 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 379 | 57% |
Approximately 379 students or 57% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 379 students who did not complete their degree?
1 are still enrolled.
154 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Northern lost contact with the remaining 221 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.3% |
| Transferred | 154 | 40.6% |
| Dropped Out | 221 | 58.3% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 15% |
| Asian | 50% |
| Hispanic | 20% |
| International | 75% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 20% |
| Unknown | 29% |
| White | 39% |
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 Montana State University - Northern 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 Montana State University - Northern represent 33% of the students in the class of 2015, and 27.70% of Montana State University - Northern bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 25%, first-time students in the Montana State University - Northern class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Montana State University - Northern graduation rate was 35%, and by the eight year mark, 36% 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 - Northern | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 25% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 35% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 36% | 47.82% |
142 first-time / full-time students or 64% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
72 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Northern lost contact with the remaining 68 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.70% |
| Transferred | 72 | 50.70% |
| Dropped Out | 68 | 47.89% |
First-time / part-time students at Montana State University - Northern represent 5.86% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 13%, first-time, part-time students in the Montana State University - Northern 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 - Northern | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 3% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 13% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 13% | 23.72% |
34 first-time / part-time students or 87% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
7 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Northern lost contact with the remaining 27 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 7 | 20.59% |
| Dropped Out | 27 | 79.41% |
208 Montana State University - Northern students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 31.28% 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 49%, 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 50%.
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 - Northern | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 49% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 50% | 55.07% |
104 non first-time / part-time students or 50% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
62 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Northern lost contact with the remaining 42 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 62 | 59.62% |
| Dropped Out | 42 | 40.38% |
196 Montana State University - Northern students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 29.47% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 48%, 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 49%.
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 - Northern | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 48% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 49% | 37.80% |
99 non first-time / part-time students or 51% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
13 transferred to another institution.
Montana State University - Northern lost contact with the remaining 84 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 2.02% |
| Transferred | 13 | 13.13% |
| Dropped Out | 84 | 84.85% |
