by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to SHSU after their first year? Are SHSU students graduating in a timely manner? What happens to the students who don't graduate? Get all your questions answered here.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 79% students making it past their freshmen year, SHSU 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 Texas, the average is 68.17%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| SHSU | 79% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Texas | 68.17% |
How many of the estimated 2,913 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 28% of the cohort graduated. After six years 57% had completed their degree, and 60% 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 SHSU graduation rate 57%.
The average SHSU student takes 4.49 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,221 | 44% |
| Six Years | 2,913 | 57% |
| Eight Years | 126 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,061 | 40% |
Approximately 2061 students or 40% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2061 students who did not complete their degree?
20 are still enrolled.
1242 transferred to another institution.
SHSU lost contact with the remaining 779 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 1.0% |
| Transferred | 1242 | 60.3% |
| Dropped Out | 779 | 37.8% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 50% |
| Asian | 55% |
| Black / African-American | 55% |
| Hawaiian | 33% |
| Hispanic | 58% |
| International | 26% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 51% |
| Unknown | 54% |
| White | 61% |
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 SHSU 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 Sam Houston State University represent 40% of the students in the class of 2015, and 35.87% of SHSU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 28%, first-time students in the SHSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the SHSU graduation rate was 51%, and by the eight year mark, 54% 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 | SHSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 28% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 51% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 47.82% |
936 first-time / full-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
20 are still enrolled.
602 transferred to another institution.
SHSU lost contact with the remaining 317 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 2.14% |
| Transferred | 602 | 64.32% |
| Dropped Out | 317 | 33.87% |
First-time / part-time students at Sam Houston State University represent 1.37% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 26%, first-time, part-time students in the SHSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 27%.
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 | SHSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 9% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 26% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 27% | 23.72% |
51 first-time / part-time students or 73% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
29 transferred to another institution.
SHSU lost contact with the remaining 20 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 3.92% |
| Transferred | 29 | 56.86% |
| Dropped Out | 20 | 39.22% |
2277 SHSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 44.65% 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.
| Returning / Full-Time Completions | SHSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 65% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 66% | 55.07% |
772 non first-time / part-time students or 34% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
14 are still enrolled.
426 transferred to another institution.
SHSU lost contact with the remaining 332 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 14 | 1.81% |
| Transferred | 426 | 55.18% |
| Dropped Out | 332 | 43.01% |
699 SHSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 13.71% 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 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 | SHSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 54% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 37.80% |
302 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
7 are still enrolled.
185 transferred to another institution.
SHSU lost contact with the remaining 110 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 2.32% |
| Transferred | 185 | 61.26% |
| Dropped Out | 110 | 36.42% |
