by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many NSU first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore NSU 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 76% students making it past their freshmen year, NSU 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 Louisiana, the average is 67.86%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| NSU | 76% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Louisiana | 67.86% |
There were approximately 1,283 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
23% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 36% in six years, and 39% in eight years.
Any student who completes their bachelor's degree within six years is considered to have graduated on time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This makes the offical NSU graduation rate 36%.
The average NSU student takes 4.45 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 955 | 27% |
| Six Years | 1,283 | 36% |
| Eight Years | 85 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 2,174 | 61% |
Approximately 2174 students or 61% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 2174 students who did not complete their degree?
11 are still enrolled.
1176 transferred to another institution.
NSU lost contact with the remaining 930 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 0.5% |
| Transferred | 1176 | 54.1% |
| Dropped Out | 930 | 42.8% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 57% |
| Asian | 40% |
| Black / African-American | 42% |
| Hawaiian | 50% |
| Hispanic | 45% |
| International | 77% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 36% |
| Unknown | 62% |
| 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 NSU 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana represent 34% of the students in the class of 2015, and 35.70% of NSU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 23%, first-time students in the NSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the NSU graduation rate was 38%, and by the eight year mark, 40% 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 | NSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 23% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 38% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 40% | 47.82% |
725 first-time / full-time students or 60% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
11 are still enrolled.
425 transferred to another institution.
NSU lost contact with the remaining 271 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 1.52% |
| Transferred | 425 | 58.62% |
| Dropped Out | 271 | 37.38% |
First-time / part-time students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana represent 3.07% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 10%, first-time, part-time students in the NSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 13%.
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 | NSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 10% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 13% | 23.72% |
94 first-time / part-time students or 87% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
36 transferred to another institution.
NSU lost contact with the remaining 56 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 2.13% |
| Transferred | 36 | 38.30% |
| Dropped Out | 56 | 59.57% |
1131 NSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 31.84% 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 42%, 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 44%.
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 | NSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 42% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 44% | 55.07% |
627 non first-time / part-time students or 56% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
22 are still enrolled.
324 transferred to another institution.
NSU lost contact with the remaining 281 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 22 | 3.51% |
| Transferred | 324 | 51.67% |
| Dropped Out | 281 | 44.82% |
1091 NSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 30.72% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 31%, 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 | NSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 31% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 33% | 37.80% |
728 non first-time / part-time students or 67% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
15 are still enrolled.
391 transferred to another institution.
NSU lost contact with the remaining 322 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 15 | 2.06% |
| Transferred | 391 | 53.71% |
| Dropped Out | 322 | 44.23% |
