by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many Salem State first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore Salem State 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 74% students making it past their freshmen year, Salem State 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 Massachusetts, the average is 73.02%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Salem State | 74% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Massachusetts | 73.02% |
There were approximately 1,275 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
28% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 57% in six years, and 60% 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 Salem State graduation rate 57%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Salem State? The standard length of time for most students is 4.35 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 814 | 37% |
| Six Years | 1,275 | 57% |
| Eight Years | 58 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 890 | 40% |
Approximately 890 students or 40% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 890 students who did not complete their degree?
9 are still enrolled.
535 transferred to another institution.
Salem State lost contact with the remaining 334 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 9 | 1.0% |
| Transferred | 535 | 60.1% |
| Dropped Out | 334 | 37.5% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Asian | 53% |
| Black / African-American | 53% |
| Hispanic | 52% |
| International | 62% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 44% |
| Unknown | 60% |
| White | 62% |
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 Salem State 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 Salem State University represent 45% of the students in the class of 2015, and 40.78% of Salem State bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 28%, first-time students in the Salem State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Salem State graduation rate was 52%, and by the eight year mark, 54% 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 | Salem State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 28% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 52% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 54% | 47.82% |
463 first-time / full-time students or 46% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
9 are still enrolled.
295 transferred to another institution.
Salem State lost contact with the remaining 161 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 9 | 1.94% |
| Transferred | 295 | 63.71% |
| Dropped Out | 161 | 34.77% |
First-time / part-time students at Salem State University represent 0.76% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 29%, first-time, part-time students in the Salem State class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 35%.
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 | Salem State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 29% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 35% | 23.72% |
11 first-time / part-time students or 65% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
4 transferred to another institution.
Salem State lost contact with the remaining 6 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 9.09% |
| Transferred | 4 | 36.36% |
| Dropped Out | 6 | 54.55% |
944 Salem State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 42.39% 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 65%, 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 67%.
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 | Salem State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 65% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 67% | 55.07% |
312 non first-time / part-time students or 33% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
8 are still enrolled.
189 transferred to another institution.
Salem State lost contact with the remaining 115 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 8 | 2.56% |
| Transferred | 189 | 60.58% |
| Dropped Out | 115 | 36.86% |
256 Salem State students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 11.50% of the students in the class of 2015.
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.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 59%.
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 | Salem State | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 54% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 59% | 37.80% |
104 non first-time / part-time students or 41% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
47 transferred to another institution.
Salem State lost contact with the remaining 52 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 4.81% |
| Transferred | 47 | 45.19% |
| Dropped Out | 52 | 50.00% |
