by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Wilmington University? 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 freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 50% students making it past their freshmen year, Wilmington 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 Delaware, the average is 73.50%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Wilmington University | 50% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Delaware | 73.50% |
Of the 1,668 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
13% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 44% in six years, and 47% in eight years.
Any student who completes their bachelor's degree within six years is considered to have graduated on time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This makes the offical Wilmington University graduation rate 44%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Wilmington University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.56 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,392 | 37% |
| Six Years | 1,668 | 44% |
| Eight Years | 103 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,033 | 53% |
Approximately 2033 students or 53% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2033 students who did not complete their degree?
9 are still enrolled.
946 transferred to another institution.
Wilmington University lost contact with the remaining 993 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 9 | 0.4% |
| Transferred | 946 | 46.5% |
| Dropped Out | 993 | 48.8% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 18% |
| Asian | 40% |
| Black / African-American | 13% |
| Hispanic | 14% |
| International | 20% |
| Unknown | 13% |
| White | 28% |
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 Wilmington University are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
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 students at Wilmington University represent 14% of the students in the class of 2015, and 6.24% of Wilmington University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 13%, first-time students in the Wilmington University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Wilmington University graduation rate was 20%, and by the eight year mark, 22% 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 | Wilmington University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 13% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 20% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 22% | 47.82% |
404 first-time / full-time students or 78% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
9 are still enrolled.
180 transferred to another institution.
Wilmington University lost contact with the remaining 218 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 9 | 2.23% |
| Transferred | 180 | 44.55% |
| Dropped Out | 218 | 53.96% |
First-time / part-time students at Wilmington University represent 19.03% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 3%, first-time, part-time students in the Wilmington 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 6%.
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 | Wilmington University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 3% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 6% | 23.72% |
684 first-time / part-time students or 94% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
12 are still enrolled.
352 transferred to another institution.
Wilmington University lost contact with the remaining 320 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 12 | 1.75% |
| Transferred | 352 | 51.46% |
| Dropped Out | 320 | 46.78% |
1061 Wilmington University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 27.89% 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 68%, 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 71%.
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 | Wilmington University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 68% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 71% | 55.07% |
309 non first-time / part-time students or 29% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
12 are still enrolled.
130 transferred to another institution.
Wilmington University lost contact with the remaining 167 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 12 | 3.88% |
| Transferred | 130 | 42.07% |
| Dropped Out | 167 | 54.05% |
1502 Wilmington University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 39.48% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 54%, 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 58%.
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 | Wilmington University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 54% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 58% | 37.80% |
636 non first-time / part-time students or 42% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
64 are still enrolled.
284 transferred to another institution.
Wilmington University lost contact with the remaining 288 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 64 | 10.06% |
| Transferred | 284 | 44.65% |
| Dropped Out | 288 | 45.28% |
