by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at UofL? 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 81% students making it past their freshmen year, UofL 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 | |
|---|---|
| UofL | 81% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Kentucky | 67.55% |
How many of the estimated 2,292 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 30% of the cohort graduated. After six years 51% had completed their degree, and 53% after eight years.
The official graduation rate of UofL is 51%. This is the percentage of students who completed their degree within 150% of the published time. That means six years for a standard bachelor's degree program.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at UofL? The standard length of time for most students is 4.43 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,523 | 34% |
| Six Years | 2,292 | 51% |
| Eight Years | 114 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,112 | 47% |
Approximately 2112 students or 47% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2112 students who did not complete their degree?
37 are still enrolled.
1200 transferred to another institution.
UofL lost contact with the remaining 849 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 37 | 1.8% |
| Transferred | 1200 | 56.8% |
| Dropped Out | 849 | 40.2% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 67% |
| Asian | 81% |
| Black / African-American | 55% |
| Hispanic | 53% |
| International | 65% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 51% |
| Unknown | 67% |
| White | 61% |
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 UofL 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 Louisville represent 57% of the students in the class of 2015, and 59.77% of UofL bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 30%, first-time students in the UofL class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UofL graduation rate was 53%, and by the eight year mark, 56% 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 | UofL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 30% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 53% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 56% | 47.82% |
1128 first-time / full-time students or 44% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
37 are still enrolled.
677 transferred to another institution.
UofL lost contact with the remaining 412 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 37 | 3.28% |
| Transferred | 677 | 60.02% |
| Dropped Out | 412 | 36.52% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Louisville represent 1.74% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the UofL class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 22%.
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 | UofL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 22% | 23.72% |
61 first-time / part-time students or 78% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
35 transferred to another institution.
UofL lost contact with the remaining 24 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 3.28% |
| Transferred | 35 | 57.38% |
| Dropped Out | 24 | 39.34% |
1386 UofL students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 30.45% 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 53%, 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 | UofL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 53% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 55.07% |
632 non first-time / part-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
15 are still enrolled.
334 transferred to another institution.
UofL lost contact with the remaining 283 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 15 | 2.37% |
| Transferred | 334 | 52.85% |
| Dropped Out | 283 | 44.78% |
490 UofL students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 10.77% 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 40%.
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 | UofL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 38% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 40% | 37.80% |
291 non first-time / part-time students or 60% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
7 are still enrolled.
154 transferred to another institution.
UofL lost contact with the remaining 130 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 2.41% |
| Transferred | 154 | 52.92% |
| Dropped Out | 130 | 44.67% |
