by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many UK first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore UK 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 86% students making it past their freshmen year, UK 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 Kentucky, the average is 67.55%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| UK | 86% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Kentucky | 67.55% |
There were approximately 3,597 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
After four years 41% of the cohort graduated. After six years 62% had completed their degree, and 63% 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 UK graduation rate 62%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at UK? The standard length of time for most students is 4.37 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,452 | 42% |
| Six Years | 3,597 | 62% |
| Eight Years | 98 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,129 | 37% |
Approximately 2129 students or 37% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2129 students who did not complete their degree?
18 are still enrolled.
1396 transferred to another institution.
UK lost contact with the remaining 680 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 18 | 0.8% |
| Transferred | 1396 | 65.6% |
| Dropped Out | 680 | 31.9% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 64% |
| Asian | 75% |
| Black / African-American | 49% |
| Hawaiian | 60% |
| Hispanic | 57% |
| International | 64% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 56% |
| Unknown | 63% |
| White | 69% |
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 UK 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 University of Kentucky represent 71% of the students in the class of 2015, and 74.59% of UK bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 41%, first-time students in the UK class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UK graduation rate was 65%, and by the eight year mark, 66% 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 | UK | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 41% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 65% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 66% | 47.82% |
1390 first-time / full-time students or 34% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
18 are still enrolled.
952 transferred to another institution.
UK lost contact with the remaining 402 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 18 | 1.29% |
| Transferred | 952 | 68.49% |
| Dropped Out | 402 | 28.92% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Kentucky represent 1.05% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 38%, first-time, part-time students in the UK class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 41%.
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 | UK | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 21% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 38% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 41% | 23.72% |
36 first-time / part-time students or 59% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
30 transferred to another institution.
UK lost contact with the remaining 5 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 2.78% |
| Transferred | 30 | 83.33% |
| Dropped Out | 5 | 13.89% |
1360 UK students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 23.32% 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 58%, 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 59%.
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 | UK | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 58% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 59% | 55.07% |
551 non first-time / part-time students or 41% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
12 are still enrolled.
330 transferred to another institution.
UK lost contact with the remaining 209 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 12 | 2.18% |
| Transferred | 330 | 59.89% |
| Dropped Out | 209 | 37.93% |
261 UK students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 4.48% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 38%, 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 42%.
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 | UK | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 38% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 42% | 37.80% |
152 non first-time / part-time students or 58% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
84 transferred to another institution.
UK lost contact with the remaining 64 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 2.63% |
| Transferred | 84 | 55.26% |
| Dropped Out | 64 | 42.11% |
