by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to Grand Canyon University after their first year? Are Grand Canyon University students graduating in a timely manner? What happens to the students who don't graduate? Get all your questions answered here.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 74% students making it past their freshmen year, Grand Canyon University 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 Arizona, the average is 67.94%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | 74% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Arizona | 67.94% |
How many of the estimated 7,106 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
34% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 35% in six years, and 36% in eight years.
The official graduation rate of Grand Canyon University is 35%. This is the percentage of students who completed their degree within 150% of the published time. That means six years for a standard bachelor's degree program.
The average length of time it takes an Grand Canyon University undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.18 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5,943 | 29% |
| Six Years | 7,106 | 35% |
| Eight Years | 259 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 12,950 | 64% |
Approximately 12950 students or 64% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 12950 students who did not complete their degree?
16 are still enrolled.
5084 transferred to another institution.
Grand Canyon University lost contact with the remaining 7628 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 0.1% |
| Transferred | 5084 | 39.3% |
| Dropped Out | 7,628 | 58.9% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 41% |
| Asian | 44% |
| Black / African-American | 40% |
| Hawaiian | 39% |
| Hispanic | 44% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 42% |
| Unknown | 38% |
| White | 51% |
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 Grand Canyon University 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 Grand Canyon University represent 3% of the students in the class of 2015, and 3.80% of Grand Canyon University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 34%, first-time students in the Grand Canyon University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Grand Canyon University graduation rate was 40%, and by the eight year mark, 41% 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 | Grand Canyon University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 34% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 40% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 41% | 47.82% |
403 first-time / full-time students or 59% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
16 are still enrolled.
228 transferred to another institution.
Grand Canyon University lost contact with the remaining 162 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 3.97% |
| Transferred | 228 | 56.58% |
| Dropped Out | 162 | 40.20% |
First-time / part-time students at Grand Canyon University represent 15.73% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 7%, first-time, part-time students in the Grand Canyon University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 8%.
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 | Grand Canyon University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 7% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 8% | 23.72% |
2937 first-time / part-time students or 92% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
35 are still enrolled.
933 transferred to another institution.
Grand Canyon University lost contact with the remaining 1969 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 35 | 1.19% |
| Transferred | 933 | 31.77% |
| Dropped Out | 1,969 | 67.04% |
1539 Grand Canyon University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 7.56% 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 65%, 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 66%.
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 | Grand Canyon University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 65% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 66% | 55.07% |
519 non first-time / part-time students or 34% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
18 are still enrolled.
286 transferred to another institution.
Grand Canyon University lost contact with the remaining 215 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 18 | 3.47% |
| Transferred | 286 | 55.11% |
| Dropped Out | 215 | 41.43% |
14927 Grand Canyon University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 73.35% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 38%, 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 39%.
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 | Grand Canyon University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 38% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 39% | 37.80% |
9091 non first-time / part-time students or 61% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
172 are still enrolled.
3637 transferred to another institution.
Grand Canyon University lost contact with the remaining 5282 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 172 | 1.89% |
| Transferred | 3637 | 40.01% |
| Dropped Out | 5,282 | 58.10% |
