by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at UW Tacoma? 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 percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 80% students making it past their freshmen year, UW Tacoma 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 Washington, the average is 73.95%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| UW Tacoma | 80% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Washington | 73.95% |
Of the 1,118 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
41% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 74% in six years, and 75% 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 UW Tacoma graduation rate 74%.
The average UW Tacoma student takes 4.33 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,043 | 69% |
| Six Years | 1,118 | 74% |
| Eight Years | 15 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 386 | 25% |
Approximately 386 students or 25% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 386 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
208 transferred to another institution.
UW Tacoma lost contact with the remaining 171 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 208 | 53.9% |
| Dropped Out | 171 | 44.3% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 29% |
| Asian | 70% |
| Black / African-American | 59% |
| Hawaiian | 13% |
| Hispanic | 50% |
| International | 60% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 56% |
| Unknown | 67% |
| White | 67% |
First-time, full-time students, under the age of 25 are known as traditional students. These students are more likely to graduate in four years than so called 'non-traditional' students that includes part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. Some schools cater to non-traditional students and it may affect their overall graduation rates.
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 UW Tacoma are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
How does this school do graduating the type of student you are most concerned bout?
First-time / full-time students at University of Washington - Tacoma Campus represent 15% of the students in the class of 2015, and 11.99% of UW Tacoma bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 41%, first-time students in the UW Tacoma class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UW Tacoma graduation rate was 59%, and by the eight year mark, 62% 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 | UW Tacoma | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 41% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 59% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 62% | 47.82% |
87 first-time / full-time students or 38% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
51 transferred to another institution.
UW Tacoma lost contact with the remaining 33 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 51 | 58.62% |
| Dropped Out | 33 | 37.93% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Washington - Tacoma Campus represent 2.43% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 54%, first-time, part-time students in the UW Tacoma 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 | UW Tacoma | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 41% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 54% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 23.72% |
17 first-time / part-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
6 transferred to another institution.
UW Tacoma lost contact with the remaining 10 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 5.88% |
| Transferred | 6 | 35.29% |
| Dropped Out | 10 | 58.82% |
991 UW Tacoma students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 65.15% 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 79%, 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 80%.
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 | UW Tacoma | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 79% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 80% | 55.07% |
200 non first-time / part-time students or 20% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
102 transferred to another institution.
UW Tacoma lost contact with the remaining 95 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 1.50% |
| Transferred | 102 | 51.00% |
| Dropped Out | 95 | 47.50% |
265 UW Tacoma students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 17.42% of the students in the class of 2015.
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.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 69%.
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 | UW Tacoma | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 67% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 69% | 37.80% |
82 non first-time / part-time students or 31% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
49 transferred to another institution.
UW Tacoma lost contact with the remaining 33 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 49 | 59.76% |
| Dropped Out | 33 | 40.24% |
