by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at USU? 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.
Freshmen retention rate refers to the percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year.
With 73% students making it past their freshmen year, USU 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 Utah, the average is 75.47%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| USU | 73% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Utah | 75.47% |
Of the 3,834 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
After four years 22% of the cohort graduated. After six years 47% had completed their degree, and 54% after 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 USU graduation rate 47%.
The average USU student takes 4.66 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,563 | 32% |
| Six Years | 3,834 | 47% |
| Eight Years | 523 | 7% |
| Did Not Complete | 3,768 | 46% |
Approximately 3768 students or 46% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 3768 students who did not complete their degree?
20 are still enrolled.
1593 transferred to another institution.
USU lost contact with the remaining 2091 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 0.5% |
| Transferred | 1593 | 42.3% |
| Dropped Out | 2,091 | 55.5% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 28% |
| Asian | 54% |
| Black / African-American | 26% |
| Hawaiian | 54% |
| Hispanic | 38% |
| International | 59% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 52% |
| Unknown | 33% |
| White | 53% |
Some schools have mainly first-time, full-time students, while others cater to part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. For a variety of reasons first-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are usually more likely to graduate in four years.
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 USU are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
Comparing the graduation rates of specific cohorts shown below will be more revealing than the overall statistics shared above.
First-time / full-time students at Utah State University represent 44% of the students in the class of 2015, and 42.41% of USU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 22%, first-time students in the USU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the USU graduation rate was 48%, and by the eight year mark, 60% 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 | USU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 22% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 48% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 60% | 47.82% |
1341 first-time / full-time students or 40% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
20 are still enrolled.
661 transferred to another institution.
USU lost contact with the remaining 649 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 1.49% |
| Transferred | 661 | 49.29% |
| Dropped Out | 649 | 48.40% |
First-time / part-time students at Utah State University represent 8.12% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the USU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 24%.
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 | USU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 7% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 24% | 23.72% |
488 first-time / part-time students or 76% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
21 are still enrolled.
142 transferred to another institution.
USU lost contact with the remaining 325 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 21 | 4.30% |
| Transferred | 142 | 29.10% |
| Dropped Out | 325 | 66.60% |
2588 USU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 29.69% 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 59%, 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 60%.
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 | USU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 59% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 60% | 55.07% |
1017 non first-time / part-time students or 40% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
14 are still enrolled.
408 transferred to another institution.
USU lost contact with the remaining 595 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 14 | 1.38% |
| Transferred | 408 | 40.12% |
| Dropped Out | 595 | 58.51% |
1591 USU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 18.25% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 39%, 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 41%.
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 | USU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 39% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 41% | 37.80% |
922 non first-time / part-time students or 59% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
18 are still enrolled.
382 transferred to another institution.
USU lost contact with the remaining 522 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 18 | 1.95% |
| Transferred | 382 | 41.43% |
| Dropped Out | 522 | 56.62% |
