by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at UM? 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 74% students making it past their freshmen year, UM 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 Montana, the average is 66.19%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| UM | 74% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Montana | 66.19% |
Of the 1,643 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
25% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 42% in six years, and 45% 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 UM graduation rate 42%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at UM? The standard length of time for most students is 4.46 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,095 | 28% |
| Six Years | 1,643 | 42% |
| Eight Years | 103 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,133 | 55% |
Approximately 2133 students or 55% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2133 students who did not complete their degree?
16 are still enrolled.
858 transferred to another institution.
UM lost contact with the remaining 1218 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 0.8% |
| Transferred | 858 | 40.2% |
| Dropped Out | 1,218 | 57.1% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 13% |
| Asian | 38% |
| Black / African-American | 18% |
| Hawaiian | 25% |
| Hispanic | 23% |
| International | 33% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 32% |
| Unknown | 31% |
| White | 48% |
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 UM 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 The University of Montana represent 61% of the students in the class of 2015, and 61.84% of UM bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 25%, first-time students in the UM class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UM graduation rate was 43%, and by the eight year mark, 47% 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 | UM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 25% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 43% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 47% | 47.82% |
1257 first-time / full-time students or 53% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
16 are still enrolled.
523 transferred to another institution.
UM lost contact with the remaining 699 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 1.27% |
| Transferred | 523 | 41.61% |
| Dropped Out | 699 | 55.61% |
First-time / part-time students at The University of Montana represent 8.75% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the UM class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 19%.
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 | UM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 10% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 19% | 23.72% |
274 first-time / part-time students or 81% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
11 are still enrolled.
65 transferred to another institution.
UM lost contact with the remaining 198 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 4.01% |
| Transferred | 65 | 23.72% |
| Dropped Out | 198 | 72.26% |
940 UM students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 24.20% 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 52%, 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 54%.
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 | UM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 52% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 55.07% |
436 non first-time / part-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
7 are still enrolled.
192 transferred to another institution.
UM lost contact with the remaining 237 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 1.61% |
| Transferred | 192 | 44.04% |
| Dropped Out | 237 | 54.36% |
252 UM students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 6.49% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 32%, 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 34%.
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 | UM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 32% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 34% | 37.80% |
166 non first-time / part-time students or 66% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
78 transferred to another institution.
UM lost contact with the remaining 84 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 2.41% |
| Transferred | 78 | 46.99% |
| Dropped Out | 84 | 50.60% |
