by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Park University first-year students return for their second year, and how many go on to graduate? Retention and graduation rates help you understand how students progress at Park University. First year retention shows who comes back, and graduation rates show who finishes and how long it takes.
Freshmen retention rate refers to the percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year.
With 58% students making it past their freshmen year, Park University has freshmen retention rates below 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 | 58% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Missouri | 69.43% |
How many of the estimated 942 students in the class of 2023 actually finished their degree in a timely fashion?
Four years after beginning their degree, 26% of those students had graduated. By 2025, six years after starting their degree, 34% of the students had graduated and after eight years 38% of this class completed their degree.
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 Park University graduation rate 34%.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 719 | 26% |
| Six Years | 942 | 34% |
| Eight Years | 97 | 4% |
| Did Not Complete | 1722 | 62% |
The non-completers rate is anyone who is not still enrolled at the institution after eight years. Both transfer students and drop-outs could be included in this group.
Approximately 1722 students or 62% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1722 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
807 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 865 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 807 | 46.9% |
| Dropped Out | 865 | 50.2% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Asian | 100% |
| Black / African-American | 26% |
| Hawaiian | 50% |
| Hispanic | 23% |
| International | 56% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 20% |
| Unknown | 40% |
| White | 29% |
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.
A meaningful share of students at Park University are considered 'non-traditional students' who are not first-time, full-time, and under 25.
Looking at the individual cohorts below may tell you more than the overall graduation rate alone.
First-time / full-time students at Park University represent 6.84% of the students in the class of 2023.
After six years, the Park University graduation rate was 22%, and by the eight year mark, 24% of the cohort had completed their degree.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for this group is 37.92% after four years, 46.43% after six years, and 47.82% after eight years.
| Completions | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 11% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 22% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 24% | 47.82% |
145 first-time / full-time students or 76% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
66 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 78 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.69% |
| Transferred | 66 | 45.52% |
| Dropped Out | 78 | 53.79% |
First-time / part-time students at Park University represent 13.61% of the students in the class of 2023.
After six years, the Park University graduation rate was 5%, and by the eight year mark, 7% of the cohort had completed their degree.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for this group is 14.37% after four years, 21.59% after six years, and 23.72% after eight years.
| Completions | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 5% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 7% | 23.72% |
351 first-time / part-time students or 93% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
90 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 256 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 1.42% |
| Transferred | 90 | 25.64% |
| Dropped Out | 256 | 72.93% |
Returning / full-time students at Park University represent 24.45% of the students in the class of 2023.
After six years, the Park University graduation rate was 63%, and by the eight year mark, 65% of the cohort had completed their degree.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for this group is 53.83% after six years, and 55.07% after eight years.
| Completions | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 63% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 65% | 55.07% |
238 non first-time / part-time students or 35% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
121 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 113 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 1.68% |
| Transferred | 121 | 50.84% |
| Dropped Out | 113 | 47.48% |
Returning / part-time students at Park University represent 55.10% of the students in the class of 2023.
After six years, the Park University graduation rate was 30%, and by the eight year mark, 35% of the cohort had completed their degree.
Nationwide, the average graduation rate for this group is 30.46% after four years, 36.03% after six years, and 37.80% after eight years.
| Completions | Park University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 21% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 30% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 35% | 37.80% |
988 non first-time / part-time students or 65% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
40 are still enrolled.
530 transferred to another institution.
Park University lost contact with the remaining 418 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 40 | 4.05% |
| Transferred | 530 | 53.64% |
| Dropped Out | 418 | 42.31% |
