by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Sac State? 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 84% students making it past their freshmen year, Sac State 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 California, the average is 73.07%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Sac State | 84% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| California | 73.07% |
There were approximately 4,977 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
After four years 9% of the cohort graduated. After six years 64% had completed their degree, and 69% 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 Sac State graduation rate 64%.
The average Sac State student takes 5.04 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 3,540 | 46% |
| Six Years | 4,977 | 64% |
| Eight Years | 357 | 5% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,392 | 31% |
Approximately 2392 students or 31% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2392 students who did not complete their degree?
67 are still enrolled.
1533 transferred to another institution.
Sac State lost contact with the remaining 774 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 67 | 2.8% |
| Transferred | 1533 | 64.1% |
| Dropped Out | 774 | 32.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 38% |
| Asian | 56% |
| Black / African-American | 43% |
| Hawaiian | 42% |
| Hispanic | 50% |
| International | 55% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 53% |
| Unknown | 55% |
| White | 60% |
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 Sac State 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 California State University - Sacramento represent 36% of the students in the class of 2015, and 27.10% of Sac State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 9%, first-time students in the Sac State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Sac State graduation rate was 48%, and by the eight year mark, 58% 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 | Sac State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 9% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 48% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 58% | 47.82% |
1181 first-time / full-time students or 42% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
67 are still enrolled.
810 transferred to another institution.
Sac State lost contact with the remaining 315 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 67 | 5.67% |
| Transferred | 810 | 68.59% |
| Dropped Out | 315 | 26.67% |
First-time / part-time students at California State University - Sacramento represent 1.45% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 26%, first-time, part-time students in the Sac State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 37%.
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 | Sac State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 26% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 37% | 23.72% |
71 first-time / part-time students or 63% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
6 are still enrolled.
51 transferred to another institution.
Sac State lost contact with the remaining 14 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 8.45% |
| Transferred | 51 | 71.83% |
| Dropped Out | 14 | 19.72% |
3450 Sac State 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 78%, 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 79%.
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 | Sac State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 78% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 79% | 55.07% |
720 non first-time / part-time students or 21% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
12 are still enrolled.
421 transferred to another institution.
Sac State lost contact with the remaining 287 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 12 | 1.67% |
| Transferred | 421 | 58.47% |
| Dropped Out | 287 | 39.86% |
1360 Sac State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 17.60% of the students in the class of 2015.
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.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 69%.
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 | Sac State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 66% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 69% | 37.80% |
420 non first-time / part-time students or 31% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
11 are still enrolled.
251 transferred to another institution.
Sac State lost contact with the remaining 158 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 2.62% |
| Transferred | 251 | 59.76% |
| Dropped Out | 158 | 37.62% |
