by our College Data Analytics TeamAre students coming back to Shepherd University after their first year? Are Shepherd University students graduating in a timely manner? What happens to the students who don't graduate? Get all your questions answered here.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 73% students making it past their freshmen year, Shepherd 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 West Virginia, the average is 70.53%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| Shepherd University | 73% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| West Virginia | 70.53% |
There were approximately 675 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
24% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 46% in six years, and 48% 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 Shepherd University graduation rate 46%.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Shepherd University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.43 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 486 | 33% |
| Six Years | 675 | 46% |
| Eight Years | 22 | 2% |
| Did Not Complete | 757 | 52% |
Approximately 757 students or 52% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 757 students who did not complete their degree?
6 are still enrolled.
490 transferred to another institution.
Shepherd University lost contact with the remaining 253 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 0.8% |
| Transferred | 490 | 64.7% |
| Dropped Out | 253 | 33.4% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 33% |
| Asian | 63% |
| Black / African-American | 33% |
| Hispanic | 50% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 47% |
| White | 46% |
First-time, full-time students, under the age of 25 are known as traditional students. These students are more likely to graduate in four years than so called 'non-traditional' students that includes part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. Some schools cater to non-traditional students and it may affect their overall graduation rates.
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 Shepherd University are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.
How does this school do graduating the type of student you are most concerned bout?
First-time / full-time students at Shepherd University represent 56% of the students in the class of 2015, and 49.78% of Shepherd University bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 24%, first-time students in the Shepherd University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Shepherd University graduation rate was 41%, and by the eight year mark, 43% 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 | Shepherd University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 24% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 41% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 43% | 47.82% |
465 first-time / full-time students or 57% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
6 are still enrolled.
298 transferred to another institution.
Shepherd University lost contact with the remaining 158 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 6 | 1.29% |
| Transferred | 298 | 64.09% |
| Dropped Out | 158 | 33.98% |
First-time / part-time students at Shepherd University represent 1.51% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 14%, first-time, part-time students in the Shepherd University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 18%.
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 | Shepherd University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 5% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 14% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 18% | 23.72% |
18 first-time / part-time students or 82% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
6 transferred to another institution.
Shepherd University lost contact with the remaining 9 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 16.67% |
| Transferred | 6 | 33.33% |
| Dropped Out | 9 | 50.00% |
516 Shepherd University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 35.49% 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 57%, 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 58%.
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 | Shepherd University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 57% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 58% | 55.07% |
217 non first-time / part-time students or 42% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
150 transferred to another institution.
Shepherd University lost contact with the remaining 66 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 0.46% |
| Transferred | 150 | 69.12% |
| Dropped Out | 66 | 30.41% |
100 Shepherd University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 6.88% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 41%, 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 43%.
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 | Shepherd University | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 41% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 43% | 37.80% |
57 non first-time / part-time students or 57% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
36 transferred to another institution.
Shepherd University lost contact with the remaining 20 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 1.75% |
| Transferred | 36 | 63.16% |
| Dropped Out | 20 | 35.09% |
