by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Palo Alto College first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Palo Alto College retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
Freshmen retention rate refers to the percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year.
With 53% students making it past their freshmen year, Palo Alto 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 Texas, the average is 68.17%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Palo Alto College | 53% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Texas | 68.17% |
How many of the estimated 584 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
18% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 14% in six years, and 16% 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 Palo Alto College graduation rate 14%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 428 | 11% |
| Six Years | 584 | 14% |
| Eight Years | 65 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 3,408 | 84% |
Approximately 3408 students or 84% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 3408 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
1524 transferred to another institution.
Palo Alto College lost contact with the remaining 1834 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 1524 | 44.7% |
| Dropped Out | 1,834 | 53.8% |
Some schools have mainly first-time, full-time students, while others cater to part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. For a variety of reasons first-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are usually more likely to graduate in four years.
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 Palo Alto College are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
Comparing the graduation rates of specific cohorts shown below will be more revealing than the overall statistics shared above.
First-time / full-time students at Palo Alto College represent 22% of the students in the class of 2015, and 38.01% of Palo Alto College bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 18%, first-time students in the Palo Alto College class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Palo Alto College graduation rate was 24%, and by the eight year mark, 27% 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 | Palo Alto College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 18% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 24% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 27% | 47.82% |
659 first-time / full-time students or 73% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
211 transferred to another institution.
Palo Alto College lost contact with the remaining 433 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 211 | 32.02% |
| Dropped Out | 433 | 65.71% |
First-time / part-time students at Palo Alto College represent 32.19% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 11%, first-time, part-time students in the Palo Alto 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 12%.
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 | Palo Alto College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 6% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 11% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 12% | 23.72% |
1146 first-time / part-time students or 88% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
20 are still enrolled.
452 transferred to another institution.
Palo Alto College lost contact with the remaining 674 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 1.75% |
| Transferred | 452 | 39.44% |
| Dropped Out | 674 | 58.81% |
295 Palo Alto College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 7.27% 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 27%, 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 27%.
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 | Palo Alto College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 27% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 27% | 55.07% |
214 non first-time / part-time students or 73% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
91 transferred to another institution.
Palo Alto College lost contact with the remaining 120 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 1.40% |
| Transferred | 91 | 42.52% |
| Dropped Out | 120 | 56.07% |
1549 Palo Alto College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 38.18% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 9%, 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 10%.
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 | Palo Alto College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 9% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 10% | 37.80% |
1389 non first-time / part-time students or 90% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
12 are still enrolled.
770 transferred to another institution.
Palo Alto College lost contact with the remaining 607 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 12 | 0.86% |
| Transferred | 770 | 55.44% |
| Dropped Out | 607 | 43.70% |
