by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at WCUPA? Find out how many students return after their freshman year, how long it takes to graduate, and what happens to the students who don't.
The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.
With 85% students making it past their freshmen year, WCUPA 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 Pennsylvania, the average is 73.24%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| WCUPA | 85% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Pennsylvania | 73.24% |
Of the 3,014 students in the class of 2015, how many completed their degree on time?
After four years 48% of the cohort graduated. After six years 72% had completed their degree, and 73% after 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 WCUPA graduation rate 72%.
The typical WCUPA student takes 4.34 years to complete their bachelor's degree.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 2,335 | 56% |
| Six Years | 3,014 | 72% |
| Eight Years | 38 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,110 | 27% |
Approximately 1110 students or 27% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1110 students who did not complete their degree?
8 are still enrolled.
709 transferred to another institution.
WCUPA lost contact with the remaining 383 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 8 | 0.7% |
| Transferred | 709 | 63.9% |
| Dropped Out | 383 | 34.5% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 100% |
| Asian | 79% |
| Black / African-American | 58% |
| Hawaiian | 100% |
| Hispanic | 73% |
| International | 100% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 62% |
| Unknown | 40% |
| White | 78% |
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 WCUPA 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania represent 55% of the students in the class of 2015, and 55.14% of WCUPA bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 48%, first-time students in the WCUPA class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the WCUPA graduation rate was 72%, and by the eight year mark, 73% 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 | WCUPA | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 48% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 72% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 73% | 47.82% |
623 first-time / full-time students or 27% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
8 are still enrolled.
440 transferred to another institution.
WCUPA lost contact with the remaining 171 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 8 | 1.28% |
| Transferred | 440 | 70.63% |
| Dropped Out | 171 | 27.45% |
First-time / part-time students at West Chester University of Pennsylvania represent 0.24% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 30%, first-time, part-time students in the WCUPA class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 30%.
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 | WCUPA | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 20% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 30% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 30% | 23.72% |
7 first-time / part-time students or 70% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
4 transferred to another institution.
WCUPA lost contact with the remaining 3 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transferred | 4 | 57.14% |
| Dropped Out | 3 | 42.86% |
1600 WCUPA students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 38.41% 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 75%, 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 75%.
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 | WCUPA | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 75% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 75% | 55.07% |
393 non first-time / part-time students or 25% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
227 transferred to another institution.
WCUPA lost contact with the remaining 161 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 1.27% |
| Transferred | 227 | 57.76% |
| Dropped Out | 161 | 40.97% |
250 WCUPA students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 6.00% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 63%, 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 65%.
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 | WCUPA | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 63% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 65% | 37.80% |
87 non first-time / part-time students or 35% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
38 transferred to another institution.
WCUPA lost contact with the remaining 48 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 1.15% |
| Transferred | 38 | 43.68% |
| Dropped Out | 48 | 55.17% |
