WNCC Graduation Rate & Retention Rates

Western Nebraska Community College 2023 Graduation & Retention Report

How long does it take to earn a degree at WNCC? 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.

• WNCC Retention Rate
• WNCC Graduation Rate
  • First Time Undergrads Attending Full Time
  • First Time Undergrads Attending Part Time
  • Non-First Time Undergrads Attending Full Time
  • Non-First Time Undergrads Attending Part Time
• WNCC Drop Out Rate
• Methodology & References

WNCC Retention Rate

The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.

With 58% students making it past their freshmen year, WNCC has freshmen retention rates similar to the national average.

Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.

When looking at just colleges and universities in Nebraska, the average is 73.00%.

WNCC Graduation Rates

There were approximately 590 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?

29% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 27% in six years, and 28% 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 WNCC graduation rate 27%.

WNCC Graduation Rates vs. National Average

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WNCC Drop Out Rate

Approximately 1584 students or 72% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.

What happened to the 1584 students who did not complete their degree?

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 201 transferred to another institution.

• WNCC lost contact with the remaining 1340 who we assumed dropped out.

WNCC Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Some Students Take More Time To Graduate

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 WNCC 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 WNCC Graduation Rates

First-time / full-time students at Western Nebraska Community College represent 19% of the students in the class of 2015, and 22.20% of WNCC bachelor's degree graduations.

With a four-year graduation rate of 29%, first-time students in the WNCC class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.

After six years, the WNCC graduation rate was 30%, and by the eight year mark, 32% 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.

WNCC First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

First-Time / Full-Time WNCC Drop Out Rates

291 first-time / full-time students or 68% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 0 are still enrolled.

• 81 transferred to another institution.

• WNCC lost contact with the remaining 204 who we assumed dropped out.

First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

First-time / part-time students at Western Nebraska Community College represent 9.91% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six-year graduation rate of 6%, first-time, part-time students in the WNCC class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 8%.

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 WNCC Graduation Rates vs. National Average

First-Time / Part-Time WNCC Drop Out Rates

201 first-time / part-time students or 92% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 4 are still enrolled.

• 28 transferred to another institution.

• WNCC lost contact with the remaining 169 who we assumed dropped out.

Non First-Time / Full-Time Students

444 WNCC students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 20.09% 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 46%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average for students in this category.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 48%.

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.

WNCC Non First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

Non First-Time / Full-Time WNCC Drop Out Rates

233 non first-time / part-time students or 52% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 5 are still enrolled.

• 21 transferred to another institution.

• WNCC lost contact with the remaining 207 who we assumed dropped out.

Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

1117 WNCC students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 50.54% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six year graduation rate of 21%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate lower than the national average.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 23%.

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.

WNCC Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

Non First-Time / Part-Time WNCC Drop Out Rates

859 non first-time / part-time students or 77% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

• 28 are still enrolled.

• 71 transferred to another institution.

• WNCC lost contact with the remaining 760 who we assumed dropped out.

More Resources:

• An Explanation of Freshman Retention Rates.

• How Common is it to Transfer to a Different College?

• Are Non-Traditional Students Less Likely to Graduate?

• How Many People Drop-Out of College?

• How Average Time to Graduate Can Affect the Value of Your Degree.

References

• National Center for Education Statistics