by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to Portland State University after their first year? Are Portland State University students graduating in a timely manner? What happens to the students who don't graduate? Get all your questions answered here.
The freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 75% students making it past their freshmen year, Portland State University 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 Oregon, the average is 67.48%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Portland State University | 75% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Oregon | 67.48% |
How many of the estimated 3,532 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
19% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 49% in six years, and 51% 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 Portland State University graduation rate 49%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Portland State University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.69 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,712 | 38% |
| Six Years | 3,532 | 49% |
| Eight Years | 119 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 3,514 | 49% |
Approximately 3514 students or 49% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 3514 students who did not complete their degree?
0 are still enrolled.
1639 transferred to another institution.
Portland State University lost contact with the remaining 1730 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.0% |
| Transferred | 1639 | 46.6% |
| Dropped Out | 1,730 | 49.2% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 28% |
| Asian | 67% |
| Black / African-American | 34% |
| Hawaiian | 57% |
| Hispanic | 53% |
| International | 41% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 46% |
| Unknown | 33% |
| White | 48% |
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 Portland State 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 Portland State University represent 19% of the students in the class of 2015, and 18.20% of Portland State University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 19%, first-time students in the Portland State University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Portland State University graduation rate was 46%, and by the eight year mark, 50% 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 | Portland State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 19% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 46% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 50% | 47.82% |
691 first-time / full-time students or 50% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
386 transferred to another institution.
Portland State University lost contact with the remaining 249 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 386 | 55.86% |
| Dropped Out | 249 | 36.03% |
First-time / part-time students at Portland State University represent 2.34% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 25%, first-time, part-time students in the Portland State University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 28%.
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 | Portland State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 8% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 25% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 28% | 23.72% |
121 first-time / part-time students or 72% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
9 are still enrolled.
67 transferred to another institution.
Portland State University lost contact with the remaining 45 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 9 | 7.44% |
| Transferred | 67 | 55.37% |
| Dropped Out | 45 | 37.19% |
3525 Portland State University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 49.20% 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 58%, 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 59%.
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 | Portland State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 58% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 59% | 55.07% |
1442 non first-time / part-time students or 41% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
38 are still enrolled.
616 transferred to another institution.
Portland State University lost contact with the remaining 788 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 38 | 2.64% |
| Transferred | 616 | 42.72% |
| Dropped Out | 788 | 54.65% |
2085 Portland State University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 29.10% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 39%, 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 40%.
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 | Portland State University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 39% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 40% | 37.80% |
1260 non first-time / part-time students or 60% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
42 are still enrolled.
570 transferred to another institution.
Portland State University lost contact with the remaining 648 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 42 | 3.33% |
| Transferred | 570 | 45.24% |
| Dropped Out | 648 | 51.43% |
