WCU Graduation Rate & Retention Rates

Western Carolina University 2023 Graduation & Retention Report

Make an informed decision about your education by understanding WCU retention and graduation rates. First year retention rates let you know how many first-time, full-time students students come back for their second year. Graduation rates tell you how many students complete their degree and how long it takes.

• WCU Retention Rate
• WCU 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
• WCU Drop Out Rate
• Methodology & References

WCU Retention Rate

The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.

With 81% students making it past their freshmen year, WCU 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 North Carolina, the average is 66.53%.

WCU Graduation Rates

How many of the estimated 1,750 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?

After four years 39% of the cohort graduated. After six years 62% had completed their degree, and 63% 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 WCU graduation rate 62%.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at WCU? The standard length of time for most students is 4.35 years.

WCU Graduation Rates vs. National Average

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WCU Drop Out Rate

Approximately 1034 students or 37% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.

What happened to the 1034 students who did not complete their degree?

• 14 are still enrolled.

• 727 transferred to another institution.

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

WCU Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Some Students Take More Time To Graduate

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 WCU 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 WCU Graduation Rates

First-time / full-time students at Western Carolina University represent 54% of the students in the class of 2015, and 51.31% of WCU bachelor's degree graduations.

With a four-year graduation rate of 39%, first-time students in the WCU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.

After six years, the WCU 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.

WCU First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

First-Time / Full-Time WCU Drop Out Rates

626 first-time / full-time students or 41% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 14 are still enrolled.

• 486 transferred to another institution.

• WCU lost contact with the remaining 130 who we assumed dropped out.

First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

First-time / part-time students at Western Carolina University represent 0.60% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six-year graduation rate of 12%, first-time, part-time students in the WCU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 12%.

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 WCU Graduation Rates vs. National Average

First-Time / Part-Time WCU Drop Out Rates

15 first-time / part-time students or 88% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 9 transferred to another institution.

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

Non First-Time / Full-Time Students

805 WCU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 28.38% 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 65%, 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 66%.

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.

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

Non First-Time / Full-Time WCU Drop Out Rates

271 non first-time / part-time students or 34% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 5 are still enrolled.

• 173 transferred to another institution.

• WCU lost contact with the remaining 93 who we assumed dropped out.

Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

471 WCU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 16.60% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six year graduation rate of 72%, 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 73%.

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.

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

Non First-Time / Part-Time WCU Drop Out Rates

122 non first-time / part-time students or 27% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 2 are still enrolled.

• 59 transferred to another institution.

• WCU lost contact with the remaining 61 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