by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Columbia first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Columbia 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 95% students making it past their freshmen year, Columbia 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 New York, the average is 73.51%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Columbia | 95% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| New York | 73.51% |
Of the 2,061 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
87% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 92% in six years, and 93% in eight years.
Any student who completes their bachelor's degree within six years is considered to have graduated on time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This makes the offical Columbia graduation rate 92%.
The average length of time it takes an Columbia undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.13 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,872 | 83% |
| Six Years | 2,061 | 92% |
| Eight Years | 22 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 162 | 7% |
Approximately 162 students or 7% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 162 students who did not complete their degree?
2 are still enrolled.
69 transferred to another institution.
Columbia lost contact with the remaining 82 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 1.2% |
| Transferred | 69 | 42.6% |
| Dropped Out | 82 | 50.6% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Asian | 98% |
| Black / African-American | 94% |
| Hawaiian | 100% |
| Hispanic | 96% |
| International | 99% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 92% |
| Unknown | 97% |
| White | 95% |
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 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 University in the City of New York represent 62% of the students in the class of 2015, and 64.05% of Columbia bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 87%, first-time students in the Columbia class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Columbia graduation rate was 95%, and by the eight year mark, 96% 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 | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 87% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 95% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 96% | 47.82% |
56 first-time / full-time students or 4% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
32 transferred to another institution.
Columbia lost contact with the remaining 23 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 3.57% |
| Transferred | 32 | 57.14% |
| Dropped Out | 23 | 41.07% |
First-time / part-time students at Columbia University in the City of New York represent 1.92% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 81%, first-time, part-time students in the Columbia class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 81%.
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 | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 44% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 81% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 81% | 23.72% |
8 first-time / part-time students or 19% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
4 transferred to another institution.
Columbia lost contact with the remaining 3 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 12.50% |
| Transferred | 4 | 50.00% |
| Dropped Out | 3 | 37.50% |
710 Columbia students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 30.99% 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 91%, 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 92%.
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 | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 91% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 92% | 55.07% |
54 non first-time / part-time students or 8% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
21 transferred to another institution.
Columbia lost contact with the remaining 28 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 9.26% |
| Transferred | 21 | 38.89% |
| Dropped Out | 28 | 51.85% |
115 Columbia students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 5.02% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 58%, 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 61%.
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 | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 58% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 37.80% |
44 non first-time / part-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
12 transferred to another institution.
Columbia lost contact with the remaining 28 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 9.09% |
| Transferred | 12 | 27.27% |
| Dropped Out | 28 | 63.64% |
