by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to Suffolk after their first year? Are Suffolk students graduating in a timely manner? What happens to the students who don't graduate? Get all your questions answered here.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 73% students making it past their freshmen year, Suffolk 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 Massachusetts, the average is 73.02%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Suffolk | 73% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Massachusetts | 73.02% |
How many of the estimated 1,209 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 44% of the cohort graduated. After six years 64% had completed their degree, and 65% 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 Suffolk graduation rate 64%.
The average length of time it takes an Suffolk undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.31 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 964 | 51% |
| Six Years | 1,209 | 64% |
| Eight Years | 24 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 664 | 35% |
Approximately 664 students or 35% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 664 students who did not complete their degree?
1 are still enrolled.
457 transferred to another institution.
Suffolk lost contact with the remaining 206 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.2% |
| Transferred | 457 | 68.8% |
| Dropped Out | 206 | 31.0% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Asian | 73% |
| Black / African-American | 57% |
| Hawaiian | 100% |
| Hispanic | 58% |
| International | 56% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 64% |
| Unknown | 62% |
| White | 61% |
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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk University represent 68% of the students in the class of 2015, and 63.52% of Suffolk bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 44%, first-time students in the Suffolk class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Suffolk graduation rate was 60%, and by the eight year mark, 61% 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 | Suffolk | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 44% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 60% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 47.82% |
505 first-time / full-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
376 transferred to another institution.
Suffolk lost contact with the remaining 129 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.20% |
| Transferred | 376 | 74.46% |
| Dropped Out | 129 | 25.54% |
First-time / part-time students at Suffolk University represent 0.63% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 33%, first-time, part-time students in the Suffolk class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 50%.
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 | Suffolk | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 25% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 33% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 50% | 23.72% |
6 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.
2 transferred to another institution.
Suffolk lost contact with the remaining 4 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 2 | 33.33% |
| Dropped Out | 4 | 66.67% |
565 Suffolk students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 29.77% 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 73%, 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 75%.
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 | Suffolk | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 73% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 75% | 55.07% |
143 non first-time / part-time students or 25% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
73 transferred to another institution.
Suffolk lost contact with the remaining 69 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.70% |
| Transferred | 73 | 51.05% |
| Dropped Out | 69 | 48.25% |
36 Suffolk students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 1.90% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 64%, 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 72%.
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 | Suffolk | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 64% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 72% | 37.80% |
10 non first-time / part-time students or 28% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
6 transferred to another institution.
Suffolk lost contact with the remaining 4 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 6 | 60.00% |
| Dropped Out | 4 | 40.00% |
