by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at RHCCD? 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
Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.
When looking at just colleges and universities in California, the average is 73.07%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| RHCCD | |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| California | 73.07% |
How many of the estimated 4,766 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 31% of the cohort graduated. After six years 18% had completed their degree, and 20% 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 RHCCD graduation rate 18%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 3,868 | 15% |
| Six Years | 4,766 | 18% |
| Eight Years | 620 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 21,094 | 80% |
Approximately 21094 students or 80% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 21094 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
8508 transferred to another institution.
RHCCD lost contact with the remaining 11685 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 8508 | 40.3% |
| Dropped Out | 11,685 | 55.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Asian | 50% |
| Hispanic | 20% |
| International | 67% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 11% |
| Unknown | 25% |
| White | 31% |
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 RHCCD 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 Rio Hondo College represent 4% of the students in the class of 2015, and 9.30% of RHCCD bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 31%, first-time students in the RHCCD class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the RHCCD graduation rate was 37%, and by the eight year mark, 42% 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 | RHCCD | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 31% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 37% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 42% | 47.82% |
692 first-time / full-time students or 58% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
225 transferred to another institution.
RHCCD lost contact with the remaining 434 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 225 | 32.51% |
| Dropped Out | 434 | 62.72% |
First-time / part-time students at Rio Hondo College represent 12.87% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 11%, first-time, part-time students in the RHCCD 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 | RHCCD | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 7% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 11% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 13% | 23.72% |
2974 first-time / part-time students or 87% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
76 are still enrolled.
535 transferred to another institution.
RHCCD lost contact with the remaining 2363 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 76 | 2.56% |
| Transferred | 535 | 17.99% |
| Dropped Out | 2,363 | 79.46% |
4367 RHCCD students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 16.49% 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 38%, 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 42%.
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 | RHCCD | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 38% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 42% | 55.07% |
2543 non first-time / part-time students or 58% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
73 are still enrolled.
1194 transferred to another institution.
RHCCD lost contact with the remaining 1276 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 73 | 2.87% |
| Transferred | 1194 | 46.95% |
| Dropped Out | 1,276 | 50.18% |
17522 RHCCD students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 66.17% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 13%, 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 15%.
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 | RHCCD | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 13% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 15% | 37.80% |
14885 non first-time / part-time students or 85% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
719 are still enrolled.
6554 transferred to another institution.
RHCCD lost contact with the remaining 7612 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 719 | 4.83% |
| Transferred | 6554 | 44.03% |
| Dropped Out | 7,612 | 51.14% |
