Walden University Graduation Rate & Retention Rates

Walden University 2023 Graduation & Retention Report

How many Walden University first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Walden University retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.

• Walden University Retention Rate
• Walden University Graduation Rate
  • First Time Undergrads Attending Full Time
  • First Time Undergrads Attending Part Time
  • Non-First Time Undergrads Attending Full Time
  • Non-First Time Undergrads Attending Part Time
• Walden University Drop Out Rate
• Methodology & References

Walden University Retention Rate

The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.

With 33% students making it past their freshmen year, Walden University has freshmen retention rates similar to the national average.

Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.

When looking at just colleges and universities in Minnesota, the average is 67.05%.

Walden University Graduation Rates

How many of the estimated 1,537 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?

100% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 26% in six years, and 27% 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 Walden University graduation rate 26%.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Walden University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.00 years.

Walden University Graduation Rates vs. National Average

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Walden University Drop Out Rate

Approximately 4393 students or 73% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.

What happened to the 4393 students who did not complete their degree?

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 2024 transferred to another institution.

• Walden University lost contact with the remaining 2108 who we assumed dropped out.

Walden University Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Some Students Take More Time To Graduate

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 Walden University are considered 'non-traditional students' who either not first-time, or not full-time, or both.

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 Walden University Graduation Rates

First-time / full-time students at Walden University represent 0% of the students in the class of 2015, and 0.07% of Walden University bachelor's degree graduations.

With a four-year graduation rate of 100%, first-time students in the Walden University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.

After six years, the Walden University graduation rate was 100%, and by the eight year mark, 100% 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.

Walden University First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

First-time / part-time students at Walden University represent 9.10% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six-year graduation rate of 4%, first-time, part-time students in the Walden University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 5%.

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 Walden University Graduation Rates vs. National Average

First-Time / Part-Time Walden University Drop Out Rates

519 first-time / part-time students or 95% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 2 are still enrolled.

• 227 transferred to another institution.

• Walden University lost contact with the remaining 290 who we assumed dropped out.

Non First-Time / Full-Time Students

100 Walden University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 1.67% 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 56%, 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 56%.

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.

Walden University Non First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

Non First-Time / Full-Time Walden University Drop Out Rates

44 non first-time / part-time students or 44% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 13 are still enrolled.

• 25 transferred to another institution.

• Walden University lost contact with the remaining 6 who we assumed dropped out.

Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

5336 Walden University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 89.22% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six year graduation rate of 27%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 28%.

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.

Walden University Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

Non First-Time / Part-Time Walden University Drop Out Rates

3830 non first-time / part-time students or 72% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 246 are still enrolled.

• 1772 transferred to another institution.

• Walden University lost contact with the remaining 1812 who we assumed dropped out.

More Resources:

• An Explanation of Freshman Retention Rates.

• How Common is it to Transfer to a Different College?

• Are Non-Traditional Students Less Likely to Graduate?

• How Many People Drop-Out of College?

• How Average Time to Graduate Can Affect the Value of Your Degree.

References

• National Center for Education Statistics