by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Park University? Find out how many students return after their freshman year, how long it takes to graduate, and what happens to the students who don't.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 63% students making it past their freshmen year, Park University 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 | |
|---|---|
| Park University | 63% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Missouri | 69.43% |
How many of the estimated 1,390 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
12% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 21% in six years, and 23% 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 Park University graduation rate 21%.
The average length of time it takes an Park University undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.33 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,057 | 16% |
| Six Years | 1,390 | 21% |
| Eight Years | 84 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 5,076 | 77% |
Approximately 5076 students or 77% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 5076 students who did not complete their degree?
2 are still enrolled.
2921 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 2013 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 2921 | 57.5% |
| Dropped Out | 2,013 | 39.7% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Black / African-American | 21% |
| Hispanic | 15% |
| International | 52% |
| Unknown | 50% |
| White | 30% |
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 Park University 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 Park University represent 4% of the students in the class of 2015, and 3.81% of Park University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 12%, first-time students in the Park University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Park University graduation rate was 21%, and by the eight year mark, 22% 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 | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 12% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 21% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 22% | 47.82% |
198 first-time / full-time students or 78% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
108 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 89 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 1.01% |
| Transferred | 108 | 54.55% |
| Dropped Out | 89 | 44.95% |
First-time / part-time students at Park University represent 19.69% of the students in the class of 2015.
| First-Time / Part-Time Completions | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 1% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 1% | 23.72% |
1284 first-time / part-time students or 100% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
7 are still enrolled.
807 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 470 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 0.55% |
| Transferred | 807 | 62.85% |
| Dropped Out | 470 | 36.60% |
1092 Park University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 16.67% 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 54%, 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 55%.
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 | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 54% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 55% | 55.07% |
495 non first-time / part-time students or 45% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
16 are still enrolled.
229 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 250 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 3.23% |
| Transferred | 229 | 46.26% |
| Dropped Out | 250 | 50.51% |
3914 Park University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 59.76% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 19%, 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 21%.
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 | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 19% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 21% | 37.80% |
3099 non first-time / part-time students or 79% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
118 are still enrolled.
1777 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 1204 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 118 | 3.81% |
| Transferred | 1777 | 57.34% |
| Dropped Out | 1,204 | 38.85% |
