by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at UVM? 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, UVM 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 Vermont, the average is 76.86%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| UVM | 85% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Vermont | 76.86% |
Of the 2,252 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
62% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 75% in six years, and 76% 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 UVM graduation rate 75%.
The average length of time it takes an UVM undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.18 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,910 | 64% |
| Six Years | 2,252 | 75% |
| Eight Years | 21 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 727 | 24% |
Approximately 727 students or 24% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 727 students who did not complete their degree?
4 are still enrolled.
583 transferred to another institution.
UVM lost contact with the remaining 138 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 0.6% |
| Transferred | 583 | 80.2% |
| Dropped Out | 138 | 19.0% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 33% |
| Asian | 77% |
| Black / African-American | 70% |
| Hispanic | 63% |
| International | 70% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 79% |
| Unknown | 83% |
| White | 77% |
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 UVM 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 Vermont represent 81% of the students in the class of 2015, and 80.68% of UVM bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 62%, first-time students in the UVM class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UVM graduation rate was 75%, and by the eight year mark, 76% 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 | UVM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 62% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 75% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 76% | 47.82% |
592 first-time / full-time students or 24% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
492 transferred to another institution.
UVM lost contact with the remaining 96 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 0.68% |
| Transferred | 492 | 83.11% |
| Dropped Out | 96 | 16.22% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Vermont represent 0.40% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the UVM class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 25%.
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 | UVM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 8% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 25% | 23.72% |
9 first-time / part-time students or 75% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
7 transferred to another institution.
UVM 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% |
532 UVM students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 17.73% 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 78%, 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 79%.
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 | UVM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 78% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 79% | 55.07% |
113 non first-time / part-time students or 21% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
76 transferred to another institution.
UVM lost contact with the remaining 36 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.88% |
| Transferred | 76 | 67.26% |
| Dropped Out | 36 | 31.86% |
30 UVM students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 1.00% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 57%, 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 57%.
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 | UVM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 57% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 37.80% |
13 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
UVM lost contact with the remaining 4 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 7.69% |
| Transferred | 8 | 61.54% |
| Dropped Out | 4 | 30.77% |
