by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many William Paterson 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 William Paterson University retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 90% students making it past their freshmen year, William Paterson University 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 New Jersey, the average is 74.83%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| William Paterson University | 90% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| New Jersey | 74.83% |
There were approximately 1,848 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
26% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 58% in six years, and 61% 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 William Paterson University graduation rate 58%.
The average William Paterson University student takes 4.45 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,297 | 41% |
| Six Years | 1,848 | 58% |
| Eight Years | 69 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,242 | 39% |
Approximately 1242 students or 39% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1242 students who did not complete their degree?
17 are still enrolled.
135 transferred to another institution.
William Paterson University lost contact with the remaining 1079 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 17 | 1.4% |
| Transferred | 135 | 10.9% |
| Dropped Out | 1,079 | 86.9% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 50% |
| Asian | 69% |
| Black / African-American | 49% |
| Hispanic | 48% |
| International | 67% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 46% |
| Unknown | 53% |
| White | 62% |
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 William Paterson University 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 William Paterson University of New Jersey represent 45% of the students in the class of 2015, and 41.83% of William Paterson University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 26%, first-time students in the William Paterson University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the William Paterson University graduation rate was 54%, and by the eight year mark, 57% 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 | William Paterson University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 26% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 54% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 47.82% |
616 first-time / full-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
17 are still enrolled.
77 transferred to another institution.
William Paterson University lost contact with the remaining 521 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 17 | 2.76% |
| Transferred | 77 | 12.50% |
| Dropped Out | 521 | 84.58% |
First-time / part-time students at William Paterson University of New Jersey represent 0.32% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 10%, first-time, part-time students in the William Paterson 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 20%.
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 | William Paterson University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 10% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 20% | 23.72% |
8 first-time / part-time students or 80% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
0 transferred to another institution.
William Paterson University lost contact with the remaining 8 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 0 | 0.00% |
| Dropped Out | 8 | 100.00% |
1159 William Paterson University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 36.61% 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 66%, 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 67%.
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 | William Paterson University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 66% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 67% | 55.07% |
377 non first-time / part-time students or 33% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
38 transferred to another institution.
William Paterson University lost contact with the remaining 337 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 0.53% |
| Transferred | 38 | 10.08% |
| Dropped Out | 337 | 89.39% |
567 William Paterson University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 17.91% of the students in the class of 2015.
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.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 57%.
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 | William Paterson University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 56% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 37.80% |
241 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
8 are still enrolled.
20 transferred to another institution.
William Paterson University lost contact with the remaining 213 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 8 | 3.32% |
| Transferred | 20 | 8.30% |
| Dropped Out | 213 | 88.38% |
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