by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many CSM first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore CSM retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 70% students making it past their freshmen year, CSM 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 California, the average is 73.07%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| CSM | 70% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| California | 73.07% |
How many of the estimated 3,214 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
36% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 24% in six years, and 26% 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 CSM graduation rate 24%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,732 | 20% |
| Six Years | 3,214 | 24% |
| Eight Years | 222 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 9,964 | 74% |
Approximately 9964 students or 74% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 9964 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
6034 transferred to another institution.
CSM lost contact with the remaining 3717 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 6034 | 60.6% |
| Dropped Out | 3,717 | 37.3% |
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 CSM 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 College of San Mateo represent 5% of the students in the class of 2015, and 9.68% of CSM bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 36%, first-time students in the CSM class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the CSM 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 | CSM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 36% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 44% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 47% | 47.82% |
378 first-time / full-time students or 53% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
216 transferred to another institution.
CSM lost contact with the remaining 156 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 216 | 57.14% |
| Dropped Out | 156 | 41.27% |
First-time / part-time students at College of San Mateo represent 8.55% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the CSM class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 19%.
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 | CSM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 12% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 19% | 23.72% |
923 first-time / part-time students or 81% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
12 are still enrolled.
366 transferred to another institution.
CSM lost contact with the remaining 545 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 12 | 1.30% |
| Transferred | 366 | 39.65% |
| Dropped Out | 545 | 59.05% |
2152 CSM students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 16.06% 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 43%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average for students in this category.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 45%.
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 | CSM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 43% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 45% | 55.07% |
1192 non first-time / part-time students or 55% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
20 are still enrolled.
814 transferred to another institution.
CSM lost contact with the remaining 358 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 1.68% |
| Transferred | 814 | 68.29% |
| Dropped Out | 358 | 30.03% |
9394 CSM students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 70.10% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 19%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 20%.
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 | CSM | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 19% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 20% | 37.80% |
7471 non first-time / part-time students or 80% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
175 are still enrolled.
4638 transferred to another institution.
CSM lost contact with the remaining 2658 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 175 | 2.34% |
| Transferred | 4638 | 62.08% |
| Dropped Out | 2,658 | 35.58% |
