by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many UPenn first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore UPenn 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 95% students making it past their freshmen year, UPenn 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 Pennsylvania, the average is 73.24%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| UPenn | 95% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Pennsylvania | 73.24% |
Of the 2,464 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
After four years 86% of the cohort graduated. After six years 95% had completed their degree, and 96% after eight years.
Any student who completes their bachelor's degree within six years is considered to have graduated on time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This makes the offical UPenn graduation rate 95%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at UPenn? The standard length of time for most students is 4.12 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,212 | 86% |
| Six Years | 2,464 | 95% |
| Eight Years | 25 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 92 | 4% |
Approximately 92 students or 4% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 92 students who did not complete their degree?
4 are still enrolled.
54 transferred to another institution.
UPenn lost contact with the remaining 36 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 4.3% |
| Transferred | 54 | 58.7% |
| Dropped Out | 36 | 39.1% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Asian | 98% |
| Black / African-American | 93% |
| Hispanic | 90% |
| International | 95% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 98% |
| Unknown | 80% |
| White | 96% |
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 UPenn 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 Pennsylvania represent 93% of the students in the class of 2015, and 93.47% of UPenn bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 86%, first-time students in the UPenn class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UPenn graduation rate was 96%, and by the eight year mark, 97% 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 | UPenn | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 86% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 96% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 97% | 47.82% |
79 first-time / full-time students or 3% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
43 transferred to another institution.
UPenn lost contact with the remaining 34 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 5.06% |
| Transferred | 43 | 54.43% |
| Dropped Out | 34 | 43.04% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Pennsylvania represent 1.93% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 82%, first-time, part-time students in the UPenn class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 82%.
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 | UPenn | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 72% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 82% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 82% | 23.72% |
9 first-time / part-time students or 18% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
7 transferred to another institution.
UPenn lost contact with the remaining 2 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 7 | 77.78% |
| Dropped Out | 2 | 22.22% |
123 UPenn students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 4.76% 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 96%, 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 98%.
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 | UPenn | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 96% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 98% | 55.07% |
2 non first-time / part-time students or 2% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
2 transferred to another institution.
UPenn lost contact with the remaining 0 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 2 | 100.00% |
| Dropped Out | 0 | 0.00% |
4 UPenn students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 0.15% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 50%, 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 50%.
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 | UPenn | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 50% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 50% | 37.80% |
2 non 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.
UPenn lost contact with the remaining 0 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 2 | 100.00% |
| Dropped Out | 0 | 0.00% |
