by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at WVU? 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 82% students making it past their freshmen year, WVU 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 West Virginia, the average is 70.53%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| WVU | 82% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| West Virginia | 70.53% |
Of the 3,977 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
35% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 58% in six years, and 59% in eight years.
The official graduation rate of WVU is 58%. This is the percentage of students who completed their degree within 150% of the published time. That means six years for a standard bachelor's degree program.
The average WVU student takes 4.40 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,680 | 39% |
| Six Years | 3,977 | 58% |
| Eight Years | 63 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,767 | 41% |
Approximately 2767 students or 41% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2767 students who did not complete their degree?
25 are still enrolled.
1870 transferred to another institution.
WVU lost contact with the remaining 862 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 25 | 0.9% |
| Transferred | 1870 | 67.6% |
| Dropped Out | 862 | 31.2% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 40% |
| Asian | 57% |
| Black / African-American | 41% |
| Hawaiian | 75% |
| Hispanic | 45% |
| International | 67% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 51% |
| Unknown | 67% |
| White | 64% |
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 WVU 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 University represent 75% of the students in the class of 2015, and 74.43% of WVU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 35%, first-time students in the WVU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the WVU graduation rate was 58%, and by the eight year mark, 59% 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 | WVU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 35% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 58% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 59% | 47.82% |
2092 first-time / full-time students or 41% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
25 are still enrolled.
1475 transferred to another institution.
WVU lost contact with the remaining 588 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 25 | 1.20% |
| Transferred | 1475 | 70.51% |
| Dropped Out | 588 | 28.11% |
First-time / part-time students at West Virginia University represent 0.66% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 9%, first-time, part-time students in the WVU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 11%.
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 | WVU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 9% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 11% | 23.72% |
39 first-time / part-time students or 89% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
18 transferred to another institution.
WVU lost contact with the remaining 21 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 18 | 46.15% |
| Dropped Out | 21 | 53.85% |
1443 WVU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 21.16% 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 62%, 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 63%.
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 | WVU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 62% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 63% | 55.07% |
529 non first-time / part-time students or 37% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
321 transferred to another institution.
WVU lost contact with the remaining 204 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 0.76% |
| Transferred | 321 | 60.68% |
| Dropped Out | 204 | 38.56% |
223 WVU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 3.27% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 52%, 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 52%.
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 | WVU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 52% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 52% | 37.80% |
107 non first-time / part-time students or 48% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
56 transferred to another institution.
WVU lost contact with the remaining 49 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 1.87% |
| Transferred | 56 | 52.34% |
| Dropped Out | 49 | 45.79% |
