by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to ATU after their first year? Are ATU 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 67% students making it past their freshmen year, ATU 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 Arkansas, the average is 66.23%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| ATU | 67% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Arkansas | 66.23% |
How many of the estimated 1,457 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
24% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 44% in six years, and 46% 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 ATU graduation rate 44%.
The average ATU student takes 4.48 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,059 | 32% |
| Six Years | 1,457 | 44% |
| Eight Years | 84 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,774 | 54% |
Approximately 1774 students or 54% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1774 students who did not complete their degree?
19 are still enrolled.
794 transferred to another institution.
ATU lost contact with the remaining 911 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 19 | 1.1% |
| Transferred | 794 | 44.8% |
| Dropped Out | 911 | 51.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 55% |
| Asian | 27% |
| Black / African-American | 21% |
| Hispanic | 42% |
| International | 61% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 19% |
| White | 49% |
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 ATU 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 Arkansas Tech University represent 60% of the students in the class of 2015, and 53.19% of ATU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 24%, first-time students in the ATU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the ATU graduation rate was 39%, and by the eight year mark, 42% 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 | ATU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 24% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 39% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 42% | 47.82% |
1141 first-time / full-time students or 58% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
19 are still enrolled.
515 transferred to another institution.
ATU lost contact with the remaining 574 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 19 | 1.67% |
| Transferred | 515 | 45.14% |
| Dropped Out | 574 | 50.31% |
First-time / part-time students at Arkansas Tech University represent 4.88% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 25%, first-time, part-time students in the ATU 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 | ATU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 16% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 25% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 27% | 23.72% |
117 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.
33 transferred to another institution.
ATU lost contact with the remaining 82 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 1.71% |
| Transferred | 33 | 28.21% |
| Dropped Out | 82 | 70.09% |
752 ATU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 22.63% 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 56%, 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 57%.
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 | ATU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 56% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 57% | 55.07% |
320 non first-time / part-time students or 43% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
10 are still enrolled.
158 transferred to another institution.
ATU lost contact with the remaining 152 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 10 | 3.13% |
| Transferred | 158 | 49.38% |
| Dropped Out | 152 | 47.50% |
430 ATU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 12.94% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 52%, 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 54%.
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 | ATU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 52% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 37.80% |
196 non first-time / part-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
88 transferred to another institution.
ATU lost contact with the remaining 103 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 2.55% |
| Transferred | 88 | 44.90% |
| Dropped Out | 103 | 52.55% |
