by our College Data Analytics TeamMake an informed decision about your education by understanding St. Cloud State University 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.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 67% students making it past their freshmen year, St. Cloud State 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 Minnesota, the average is 67.05%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| St. Cloud State University | 67% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Minnesota | 67.05% |
How many of the estimated 1,748 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 20% of the cohort graduated. After six years 47% had completed their degree, and 50% 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 St. Cloud State University graduation rate 47%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at St. Cloud State University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.61 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,091 | 29% |
| Six Years | 1,748 | 47% |
| Eight Years | 104 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,884 | 50% |
Approximately 1884 students or 50% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1884 students who did not complete their degree?
73 are still enrolled.
1069 transferred to another institution.
St. Cloud State University lost contact with the remaining 779 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 73 | 3.9% |
| Transferred | 1069 | 56.7% |
| Dropped Out | 779 | 41.3% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 10% |
| Asian | 31% |
| Black / African-American | 36% |
| Hispanic | 22% |
| International | 64% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 25% |
| Unknown | 56% |
| White | 48% |
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 St. Cloud State 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 Saint Cloud State University represent 53% of the students in the class of 2015, and 50.23% of St. Cloud State University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 20%, first-time students in the St. Cloud State University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the St. Cloud State University graduation rate was 44%, and by the eight year mark, 47% 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 | St. Cloud State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 20% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 44% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 47% | 47.82% |
1047 first-time / full-time students or 53% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
73 are still enrolled.
628 transferred to another institution.
St. Cloud State University lost contact with the remaining 396 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 73 | 6.97% |
| Transferred | 628 | 59.98% |
| Dropped Out | 396 | 37.82% |
First-time / part-time students at Saint Cloud State University represent 2.09% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 28%, first-time, part-time students in the St. Cloud State University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 29%.
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 | St. Cloud State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 14% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 28% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 29% | 23.72% |
55 first-time / part-time students or 71% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
25 transferred to another institution.
St. Cloud State University lost contact with the remaining 28 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 3.64% |
| Transferred | 25 | 45.45% |
| Dropped Out | 28 | 50.91% |
1305 St. Cloud State University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 34.93% 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 55%, 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 58%.
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 | St. Cloud State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 55% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 58% | 55.07% |
553 non first-time / part-time students or 42% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
6 are still enrolled.
307 transferred to another institution.
St. Cloud State University lost contact with the remaining 240 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 1.08% |
| Transferred | 307 | 55.52% |
| Dropped Out | 240 | 43.40% |
368 St. Cloud State University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 9.85% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 35%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate similar to the national average.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 38%.
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 | St. Cloud State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 35% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 38% | 37.80% |
229 non first-time / part-time students or 62% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
109 transferred to another institution.
St. Cloud State University lost contact with the remaining 115 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 2.18% |
| Transferred | 109 | 47.60% |
| Dropped Out | 115 | 50.22% |
