by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many QC first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore QC retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
Freshmen retention rate refers to the percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year.
With 83% students making it past their freshmen year, QC 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 | |
|---|---|
| QC | 83% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| New York | 73.51% |
There were approximately 2,503 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
29% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 52% in six years, and 55% 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 QC graduation rate 52%.
The average QC student takes 4.64 years to graduate with their bachelors.
Completion Within Undergraduates Percentage Four Years 1,885 39% Six Years 2,503 52% Eight Years 150 3% Did Not Complete 2,150 45%
Approximately 2150 students or 45% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2150 students who did not complete their degree?
26 are still enrolled.
993 transferred to another institution.
QC lost contact with the remaining 1081 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 1.2% |
| Transferred | 993 | 46.2% |
| Dropped Out | 1,081 | 50.3% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 40% |
| Asian | 49% |
| Black / African-American | 51% |
| Hawaiian | 40% |
| Hispanic | 48% |
| International | 47% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 38% |
| White | 63% |
Some schools have mainly first-time, full-time students, while others cater to part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. For a variety of reasons first-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are usually more likely to graduate in four years.
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 QC are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
Comparing the graduation rates of specific cohorts shown below will be more revealing than the overall statistics shared above.
First-time / full-time students at Queens College represent 31% of the students in the class of 2015, and 32.12% of QC bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 29%, first-time students in the QC class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the QC graduation rate was 53%, 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 | QC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 29% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 53% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 58% | 47.82% |
639 first-time / full-time students or 42% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
26 are still enrolled.
376 transferred to another institution.
QC lost contact with the remaining 240 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 4.07% |
| Transferred | 376 | 58.84% |
| Dropped Out | 240 | 37.56% |
First-time / part-time students at Queens College represent 0.67% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 22%, first-time, part-time students in the QC class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 25%.
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 | QC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 9% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 22% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 25% | 23.72% |
24 first-time / part-time students or 75% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
10 transferred to another institution.
QC lost contact with the remaining 11 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 12.50% |
| Transferred | 10 | 41.67% |
| Dropped Out | 11 | 45.83% |
2311 QC students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 48.12% 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 59%, 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 61%.
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 | QC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 59% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 55.07% |
894 non first-time / part-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
30 are still enrolled.
378 transferred to another institution.
QC lost contact with the remaining 486 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 30 | 3.36% |
| Transferred | 378 | 42.28% |
| Dropped Out | 486 | 54.36% |
948 QC students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 19.74% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 35%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate similar to the national average.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 37%.
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 | QC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 35% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 37% | 37.80% |
593 non first-time / part-time students or 63% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
20 are still enrolled.
229 transferred to another institution.
QC lost contact with the remaining 344 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 20 | 3.37% |
| Transferred | 229 | 38.62% |
| Dropped Out | 344 | 58.01% |
