by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Columbia State Community College? 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 percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 57% students making it past their freshmen year, Columbia State Community College 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 Tennessee, the average is 71.48%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Columbia State Community College | 57% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Tennessee | 71.48% |
How many of the estimated 548 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 21% of the cohort graduated. After six years 22% had completed their degree, and 23% 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 Columbia State Community College graduation rate 22%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 470 | 19% |
| Six Years | 548 | 22% |
| Eight Years | 26 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,927 | 77% |
Approximately 1927 students or 77% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1927 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
318 transferred to another institution.
Columbia State Community College lost contact with the remaining 1578 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 318 | 16.5% |
| Dropped Out | 1,578 | 81.9% |
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 Columbia State Community College 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 Columbia State Community College represent 43% of the students in the class of 2015, and 48.72% of Columbia State Community College bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 21%, first-time students in the Columbia State Community College class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Columbia State Community College graduation rate was 25%, and by the eight year mark, 26% 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 | Columbia State Community College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 21% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 25% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 26% | 47.82% |
802 first-time / full-time students or 74% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
132 transferred to another institution.
Columbia State Community College lost contact with the remaining 663 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 132 | 16.46% |
| Dropped Out | 663 | 82.67% |
First-time / part-time students at Columbia State Community College represent 23.50% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 14%, first-time, part-time students in the Columbia State Community College class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 15%.
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 | Columbia State Community College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 11% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 14% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 15% | 23.72% |
499 first-time / part-time students or 85% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
14 are still enrolled.
37 transferred to another institution.
Columbia State Community College lost contact with the remaining 448 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 14 | 2.81% |
| Transferred | 37 | 7.41% |
| Dropped Out | 448 | 89.78% |
363 Columbia State Community College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 14.51% 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 25%, 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 26%.
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 | Columbia State Community College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 25% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 26% | 55.07% |
269 non first-time / part-time students or 74% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
65 transferred to another institution.
Columbia State Community College lost contact with the remaining 200 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 1.49% |
| Transferred | 65 | 24.16% |
| Dropped Out | 200 | 74.35% |
471 Columbia State Community College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 18.82% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 23%, 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 24%.
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 | Columbia State Community College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 23% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 24% | 37.80% |
357 non first-time / part-time students or 76% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
6 are still enrolled.
84 transferred to another institution.
Columbia State Community College lost contact with the remaining 267 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 1.68% |
| Transferred | 84 | 23.53% |
| Dropped Out | 267 | 74.79% |
