by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at WIU? 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 77% students making it past their freshmen year, WIU 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 Illinois, the average is 72.64%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| WIU | 77% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Illinois | 72.64% |
How many of the estimated 2,072 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?
After four years 29% of the cohort graduated. After six years 57% had completed their degree, and 58% 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 WIU graduation rate 57%.
The average length of time it takes an WIU undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.39 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,552 | 42% |
| Six Years | 2,072 | 57% |
| Eight Years | 44 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,537 | 42% |
Approximately 1537 students or 42% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1537 students who did not complete their degree?
10 are still enrolled.
1074 transferred to another institution.
WIU lost contact with the remaining 444 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 10 | 0.7% |
| Transferred | 1074 | 69.9% |
| Dropped Out | 444 | 28.9% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Asian | 50% |
| Black / African-American | 30% |
| Hawaiian | 50% |
| Hispanic | 39% |
| International | 100% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 37% |
| Unknown | 40% |
| White | 61% |
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 WIU 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 Western Illinois University represent 54% of the students in the class of 2015, and 47.01% of WIU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 29%, first-time students in the WIU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the WIU graduation rate was 50%, 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 | WIU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 29% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 50% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 51% | 47.82% |
953 first-time / full-time students or 49% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
10 are still enrolled.
726 transferred to another institution.
WIU lost contact with the remaining 221 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 10 | 1.05% |
| Transferred | 726 | 76.18% |
| Dropped Out | 221 | 23.19% |
First-time / part-time students at Western Illinois University represent 1.04% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 34%, first-time, part-time students in the WIU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 34%.
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 | WIU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 13% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 34% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 34% | 23.72% |
25 first-time / part-time students or 66% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
1 are still enrolled.
17 transferred to another institution.
WIU lost contact with the remaining 7 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 1 | 4.00% |
| Transferred | 17 | 68.00% |
| Dropped Out | 7 | 28.00% |
1412 WIU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 38.54% 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 69%, 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 70%.
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 | WIU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 69% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 70% | 55.07% |
425 non first-time / part-time students or 30% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
262 transferred to another institution.
WIU lost contact with the remaining 158 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 1.18% |
| Transferred | 262 | 61.65% |
| Dropped Out | 158 | 37.18% |
249 WIU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 6.80% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 44%, 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 46%.
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 | WIU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 44% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 46% | 37.80% |
134 non first-time / part-time students or 54% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
7 are still enrolled.
69 transferred to another institution.
WIU lost contact with the remaining 58 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 7 | 5.22% |
| Transferred | 69 | 51.49% |
| Dropped Out | 58 | 43.28% |
