by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Ohio State first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Ohio State retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 94% students making it past their freshmen year, Ohio State 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 Ohio, the average is 69.84%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | 94% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Ohio | 69.84% |
There were approximately 9,859 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
58% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 75% in six years, and 77% 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 Ohio State graduation rate 75%.
The average length of time it takes an Ohio State undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.30 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 7,702 | 59% |
| Six Years | 9,859 | 75% |
| Eight Years | 173 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 3,027 | 23% |
Approximately 3027 students or 23% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 3027 students who did not complete their degree?
35 are still enrolled.
1600 transferred to another institution.
Ohio State lost contact with the remaining 1345 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 35 | 1.2% |
| Transferred | 1600 | 52.9% |
| Dropped Out | 1,345 | 44.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 75% |
| Asian | 87% |
| Black / African-American | 79% |
| Hawaiian | 100% |
| Hispanic | 83% |
| International | 86% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 80% |
| Unknown | 89% |
| White | 88% |
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 Ohio State 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus represent 55% of the students in the class of 2015, and 59.76% of Ohio State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 58%, first-time students in the Ohio State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Ohio State graduation rate was 82%, and by the eight year mark, 83% 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 | Ohio State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 58% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 82% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 83% | 47.82% |
1187 first-time / full-time students or 17% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
35 are still enrolled.
825 transferred to another institution.
Ohio State lost contact with the remaining 330 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 35 | 2.95% |
| Transferred | 825 | 69.50% |
| Dropped Out | 330 | 27.80% |
First-time / part-time students at Ohio State University - Main Campus represent 0.14% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 39%, first-time, part-time students in the Ohio State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 39%.
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 | Ohio State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 28% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 39% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 39% | 23.72% |
11 first-time / part-time students or 61% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
9 transferred to another institution.
Ohio State 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 | 9 | 81.82% |
| Dropped Out | 2 | 18.18% |
5106 Ohio State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 39.06% 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 70%, 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 71%.
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 | Ohio State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 70% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 71% | 55.07% |
1484 non first-time / part-time students or 29% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
39 are still enrolled.
627 transferred to another institution.
Ohio State lost contact with the remaining 818 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 39 | 2.63% |
| Transferred | 627 | 42.25% |
| Dropped Out | 818 | 55.12% |
771 Ohio State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 5.90% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 53%, 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 55%.
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 | Ohio State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 53% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 55% | 37.80% |
345 non first-time / part-time students or 45% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
11 are still enrolled.
139 transferred to another institution.
Ohio State lost contact with the remaining 195 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 3.19% |
| Transferred | 139 | 40.29% |
| Dropped Out | 195 | 56.52% |
