by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many MBU first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore MBU 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 69% students making it past their freshmen year, MBU 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 Missouri, the average is 69.43%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| MBU | 69% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Missouri | 69.43% |
How many of the estimated 389 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 24% of the cohort graduated. After six years 51% had completed their degree, and 53% 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 MBU graduation rate 51%.
The typical MBU student takes 4.36 years to complete their bachelor's degree.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 332 | 44% |
| Six Years | 389 | 51% |
| Eight Years | 14 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 360 | 47% |
Approximately 360 students or 47% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 360 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
207 transferred to another institution.
MBU lost contact with the remaining 150 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 207 | 57.5% |
| Dropped Out | 150 | 41.7% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Asian | 50% |
| Black / African-American | 15% |
| Hispanic | 33% |
| International | 40% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 10% |
| Unknown | 25% |
| White | 43% |
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 MBU 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 Missouri Baptist University represent 31% of the students in the class of 2015, and 22.88% of MBU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 24%, first-time students in the MBU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the MBU graduation rate was 38%, and by the eight year mark, 39% 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 | MBU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 24% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 38% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 39% | 47.82% |
145 first-time / full-time students or 61% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
88 transferred to another institution.
MBU lost contact with the remaining 56 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 88 | 60.69% |
| Dropped Out | 56 | 38.62% |
First-time / part-time students at Missouri Baptist University represent 3.27% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 12%, first-time, part-time students in the MBU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 24%.
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 | MBU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 12% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 24% | 23.72% |
19 first-time / part-time students or 76% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
8 transferred to another institution.
MBU lost contact with the remaining 10 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 5.26% |
| Transferred | 8 | 42.11% |
| Dropped Out | 10 | 52.63% |
364 MBU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 47.64% 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 61%, 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 62%.
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 | MBU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 61% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 62% | 55.07% |
138 non first-time / part-time students or 38% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
80 transferred to another institution.
MBU lost contact with the remaining 57 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.72% |
| Transferred | 80 | 57.97% |
| Dropped Out | 57 | 41.30% |
137 MBU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 17.93% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 54%, 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 58%.
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 | MBU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 54% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 58% | 37.80% |
58 non first-time / part-time students or 42% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
31 transferred to another institution.
MBU lost contact with the remaining 27 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 31 | 53.45% |
| Dropped Out | 27 | 46.55% |
