by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Helena College first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Helena College retention rates, graduation rates, drop out rates and more.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 56% students making it past their freshmen year, Helena 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 Montana, the average is 66.19%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Helena College | 56% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Montana | 66.19% |
Of the 163 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
After four years 24% of the cohort graduated. After six years 30% had completed their degree, and 33% 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 Helena College graduation rate 30%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 145 | 27% |
| Six Years | 163 | 30% |
| Eight Years | 12 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 363 | 67% |
Approximately 363 students or 67% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 363 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
133 transferred to another institution.
Helena College lost contact with the remaining 229 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 133 | 36.6% |
| Dropped Out | 229 | 63.1% |
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 Helena College 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 Helena College University of Montana represent 49% of the students in the class of 2015, and 44.79% of Helena College bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 24%, first-time students in the Helena College class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Helena College graduation rate was 27%, and by the eight year mark, 30% 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 | Helena College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 24% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 27% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 30% | 47.82% |
187 first-time / full-time students or 70% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
64 transferred to another institution.
Helena College lost contact with the remaining 123 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 64 | 34.22% |
| Dropped Out | 123 | 65.78% |
First-time / part-time students at Helena College University of Montana represent 21.19% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 21%, first-time, part-time students in the Helena 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 22%.
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 | Helena College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 14% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 21% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 22% | 23.72% |
89 first-time / part-time students or 78% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
28 transferred to another institution.
Helena College lost contact with the remaining 61 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 28 | 31.46% |
| Dropped Out | 61 | 68.54% |
97 Helena College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 18.03% 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 52%, 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 53%.
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 | Helena College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 52% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 53% | 55.07% |
46 non first-time / part-time students or 47% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
19 transferred to another institution.
Helena College lost contact with the remaining 26 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 2.17% |
| Transferred | 19 | 41.30% |
| Dropped Out | 26 | 56.52% |
61 Helena College students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 11.34% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 26%, 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 33%.
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 | Helena College | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 26% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 33% | 37.80% |
41 non first-time / part-time students or 67% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
22 transferred to another institution.
Helena College lost contact with the remaining 19 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 22 | 53.66% |
| Dropped Out | 19 | 46.34% |
