by our College Data Analytics TeamHow many UMass Boston first-year students return for their second year? How many graduate and how long does it take them? On this page we'll explore UMass Boston 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 76% students making it past their freshmen year, UMass Boston 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 | |
|---|---|
| UMass Boston | 76% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Massachusetts | 73.02% |
Of the 2,250 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
After four years 20% of the cohort graduated. After six years 54% had completed their degree, and 57% after 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 UMass Boston graduation rate 54%.
The average length of time it takes an UMass Boston undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.62 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,606 | 39% |
| Six Years | 2,250 | 54% |
| Eight Years | 112 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,808 | 43% |
Approximately 1808 students or 43% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1808 students who did not complete their degree?
11 are still enrolled.
1002 transferred to another institution.
UMass Boston lost contact with the remaining 768 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 0.6% |
| Transferred | 1002 | 55.4% |
| Dropped Out | 768 | 42.5% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 25% |
| Asian | 57% |
| Black / African-American | 52% |
| Hispanic | 45% |
| International | 50% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 35% |
| Unknown | 47% |
| 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 UMass Boston 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 University of Massachusetts - Boston represent 32% of the students in the class of 2015, and 27.78% of UMass Boston bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 20%, first-time students in the UMass Boston class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the UMass Boston graduation rate was 47%, and by the eight year mark, 51% 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 | UMass Boston | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 20% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 47% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 51% | 47.82% |
646 first-time / full-time students or 49% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
11 are still enrolled.
427 transferred to another institution.
UMass Boston lost contact with the remaining 215 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 11 | 1.70% |
| Transferred | 427 | 66.10% |
| Dropped Out | 215 | 33.28% |
First-time / part-time students at University of Massachusetts - Boston represent 3.69% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 53%, first-time, part-time students in the UMass Boston class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 56%.
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 | UMass Boston | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 25% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 53% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 56% | 23.72% |
68 first-time / part-time students or 44% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
16 are still enrolled.
20 transferred to another institution.
UMass Boston lost contact with the remaining 32 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 23.53% |
| Transferred | 20 | 29.41% |
| Dropped Out | 32 | 47.06% |
1740 UMass Boston students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 41.65% 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 60%, 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 61%.
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 | UMass Boston | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 60% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 61% | 55.07% |
674 non first-time / part-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
344 transferred to another institution.
UMass Boston lost contact with the remaining 328 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 0.30% |
| Transferred | 344 | 51.04% |
| Dropped Out | 328 | 48.66% |
950 UMass Boston students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 22.74% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 53%, 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 56%.
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 | UMass Boston | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 53% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 56% | 37.80% |
420 non first-time / part-time students or 44% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
16 are still enrolled.
211 transferred to another institution.
UMass Boston lost contact with the remaining 193 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 16 | 3.81% |
| Transferred | 211 | 50.24% |
| Dropped Out | 193 | 45.95% |
