by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Liberty University first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Liberty University 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 81% students making it past their freshmen year, Liberty 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 Virginia, the average is 69.66%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Liberty University | 81% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Virginia | 69.66% |
Of the 7,222 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
25% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 32% in six years, and 34% in eight years.
The official graduation rate of Liberty University is 32%. 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 Liberty University undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.47 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5,264 | 23% |
| Six Years | 7,222 | 32% |
| Eight Years | 529 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 15,036 | 66% |
Approximately 15036 students or 66% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 15036 students who did not complete their degree?
40 are still enrolled.
5863 transferred to another institution.
Liberty University lost contact with the remaining 8904 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 40 | 0.3% |
| Transferred | 5863 | 39.0% |
| Dropped Out | 8,904 | 59.2% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 48% |
| Asian | 66% |
| Black / African-American | 23% |
| Hawaiian | 57% |
| Hispanic | 45% |
| International | 59% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 48% |
| Unknown | 44% |
| White | 63% |
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 Liberty University 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 Liberty University represent 22% of the students in the class of 2015, and 27.06% of Liberty University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 25%, first-time students in the Liberty University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Liberty University graduation rate was 39%, and by the eight year mark, 42% 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 | Liberty University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 25% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 39% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 42% | 47.82% |
2877 first-time / full-time students or 58% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
40 are still enrolled.
1259 transferred to another institution.
Liberty University lost contact with the remaining 1569 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 40 | 1.39% |
| Transferred | 1259 | 43.76% |
| Dropped Out | 1,569 | 54.54% |
First-time / part-time students at Liberty University represent 17.29% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 10%, first-time, part-time students in the Liberty 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 12%.
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 | Liberty University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 10% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 12% | 23.72% |
3477 first-time / part-time students or 88% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
38 are still enrolled.
1307 transferred to another institution.
Liberty University lost contact with the remaining 2132 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 38 | 1.09% |
| Transferred | 1307 | 37.59% |
| Dropped Out | 2,132 | 61.32% |
6343 Liberty University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 27.72% 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 43%, 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 45%.
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 | Liberty University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 43% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 45% | 55.07% |
3462 non first-time / part-time students or 55% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
67 are still enrolled.
1393 transferred to another institution.
Liberty University lost contact with the remaining 2002 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 67 | 1.94% |
| Transferred | 1393 | 40.24% |
| Dropped Out | 2,002 | 57.83% |
7595 Liberty University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 33.19% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 28%, 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 31%.
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 | Liberty University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 28% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 31% | 37.80% |
5220 non first-time / part-time students or 69% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
115 are still enrolled.
1904 transferred to another institution.
Liberty University lost contact with the remaining 3201 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 115 | 2.20% |
| Transferred | 1904 | 36.48% |
| Dropped Out | 3,201 | 61.32% |
