by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many NWACC first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore NWACC 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 54% students making it past their freshmen year, NWACC 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 Arkansas, the average is 66.23%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| NWACC | 54% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Arkansas | 66.23% |
How many of the estimated 651 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
17% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 16% in six years, and 18% 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 NWACC graduation rate 16%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 522 | 13% |
| Six Years | 651 | 16% |
| Eight Years | 51 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 3,282 | 82% |
Approximately 3282 students or 82% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 3282 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
1392 transferred to another institution.
NWACC lost contact with the remaining 1826 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 1392 | 42.4% |
| Dropped Out | 1,826 | 55.6% |
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 NWACC 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 NorthWest Arkansas Community College represent 27% of the students in the class of 2015, and 33.95% of NWACC bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time students in the NWACC class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the NWACC graduation rate was 20%, and by the eight year mark, 21% 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 | NWACC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 17% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 20% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 21% | 47.82% |
858 first-time / full-time students or 79% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
280 transferred to another institution.
NWACC lost contact with the remaining 558 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 280 | 32.63% |
| Dropped Out | 558 | 65.03% |
First-time / part-time students at NorthWest Arkansas Community College represent 26.35% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 14%, first-time, part-time students in the NWACC class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 16%.
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 | NWACC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 10% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 14% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 16% | 23.72% |
888 first-time / part-time students or 84% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
26 are still enrolled.
206 transferred to another institution.
NWACC lost contact with the remaining 656 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 26 | 2.93% |
| Transferred | 206 | 23.20% |
| Dropped Out | 656 | 73.87% |
569 NWACC students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 14.26% 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 22%, 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 23%.
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 | NWACC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 22% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 23% | 55.07% |
438 non first-time / part-time students or 77% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
239 transferred to another institution.
NWACC lost contact with the remaining 194 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 1.14% |
| Transferred | 239 | 54.57% |
| Dropped Out | 194 | 44.29% |
1275 NWACC students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 31.96% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 13%, 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 14%.
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 | NWACC | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 13% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 14% | 37.80% |
1098 non first-time / part-time students or 86% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
13 are still enrolled.
667 transferred to another institution.
NWACC lost contact with the remaining 418 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 13 | 1.18% |
| Transferred | 667 | 60.75% |
| Dropped Out | 418 | 38.07% |
