by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at WVSU? 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 60% students making it past their freshmen year, WVSU 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 West Virginia, the average is 70.53%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| WVSU | 60% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| West Virginia | 70.53% |
How many of the estimated 275 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
8% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 34% in six years, and 36% 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 WVSU graduation rate 34%.
The average length of time it takes an WVSU undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.61 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 191 | 24% |
| Six Years | 275 | 34% |
| Eight Years | 15 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 510 | 64% |
Approximately 510 students or 64% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 510 students who did not complete their degree?
6 are still enrolled.
76 transferred to another institution.
WVSU lost contact with the remaining 425 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 1.2% |
| Transferred | 76 | 14.9% |
| Dropped Out | 425 | 83.3% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Black / African-American | 22% |
| Hispanic | 32% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 33% |
| Unknown | 30% |
| White | 32% |
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 WVSU 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 West Virginia State University represent 42% of the students in the class of 2015, and 28.73% of WVSU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 8%, first-time students in the WVSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the WVSU graduation rate was 23%, and by the eight year mark, 26% 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 | WVSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 8% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 23% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 26% | 47.82% |
251 first-time / full-time students or 74% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
6 are still enrolled.
65 transferred to another institution.
WVSU lost contact with the remaining 180 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 2.39% |
| Transferred | 65 | 25.90% |
| Dropped Out | 180 | 71.71% |
First-time / part-time students at West Virginia State University represent 4.13% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 6%, first-time, part-time students in the WVSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 9%.
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 | WVSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 6% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 9% | 23.72% |
30 first-time / part-time students or 91% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
0 transferred to another institution.
WVSU lost contact with the remaining 30 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 0 | 0.00% |
| Dropped Out | 30 | 100.00% |
331 WVSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 41.38% 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 45%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average for students in this category.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 47%.
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 | WVSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 45% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 47% | 55.07% |
176 non first-time / part-time students or 53% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
9 transferred to another institution.
WVSU lost contact with the remaining 164 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 1.70% |
| Transferred | 9 | 5.11% |
| Dropped Out | 164 | 93.18% |
98 WVSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 12.25% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 45%, 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 46%.
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 | WVSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 45% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 46% | 37.80% |
53 non first-time / part-time students or 54% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
2 transferred to another institution.
WVSU lost contact with the remaining 51 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 2 | 3.77% |
| Dropped Out | 51 | 96.23% |
