by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at UNL? 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 85% students making it past their freshmen year, UNL 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 Nebraska, the average is 73.00%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| UNL | 85% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Nebraska | 73.00% |
Of the 3,641 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
39% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 64% in six years, and 66% 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 UNL graduation rate 64%.
The average length of time it takes an UNL undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.42 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,431 | 43% |
| Six Years | 3,641 | 64% |
| Eight Years | 118 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,894 | 34% |
Approximately 1894 students or 34% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1894 students who did not complete their degree?
26 are still enrolled.
1093 transferred to another institution.
UNL lost contact with the remaining 507 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 1.4% |
| Transferred | 1093 | 57.7% |
| Dropped Out | 507 | 26.8% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 40% |
| Asian | 67% |
| Black / African-American | 53% |
| Hawaiian | 50% |
| Hispanic | 51% |
| International | 70% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 61% |
| Unknown | 66% |
| White | 68% |
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 UNL 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 Nebraska - Lincoln represent 73% of the students in the class of 2015, and 73.25% of UNL bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 39%, first-time students in the UNL class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UNL graduation rate was 65%, and by the eight year mark, 67% 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 | UNL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 39% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 65% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 67% | 47.82% |
1371 first-time / full-time students or 33% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
26 are still enrolled.
771 transferred to another institution.
UNL lost contact with the remaining 399 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 1.90% |
| Transferred | 771 | 56.24% |
| Dropped Out | 399 | 29.10% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Nebraska - Lincoln represent 1.31% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 50%, first-time, part-time students in the UNL class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 54%.
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 | UNL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 7% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 50% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 23.72% |
34 first-time / part-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
24 transferred to another institution.
UNL lost contact with the remaining 5 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 14.71% |
| Transferred | 24 | 70.59% |
| Dropped Out | 5 | 14.71% |
1265 UNL students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 22.35% 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 67%, 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 68%.
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 | UNL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 67% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 68% | 55.07% |
400 non first-time / part-time students or 32% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
70 are still enrolled.
259 transferred to another institution.
UNL lost contact with the remaining 71 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 70 | 17.50% |
| Transferred | 259 | 64.75% |
| Dropped Out | 71 | 17.75% |
188 UNL students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 3.32% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 49%, 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 53%.
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 | UNL | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 49% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 53% | 37.80% |
89 non first-time / part-time students or 47% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
18 are still enrolled.
39 transferred to another institution.
UNL lost contact with the remaining 32 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 18 | 20.22% |
| Transferred | 39 | 43.82% |
| Dropped Out | 32 | 35.96% |
