by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at Westfield? 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 freshmen retention rate applies to first-time / full-time students who come back for their second year.
With 73% students making it past their freshmen year, Westfield 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 | |
|---|---|
| Westfield | 73% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Massachusetts | 73.02% |
There were approximately 1,156 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
52% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 66% in six years, and 67% 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 Westfield graduation rate 66%.
The average Westfield student takes 4.20 years to graduate with their bachelors.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 976 | 55% |
| Six Years | 1,156 | 66% |
| Eight Years | 20 | 1% |
| Did Not Complete | 586 | 33% |
Approximately 586 students or 33% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 586 students who did not complete their degree?
5 are still enrolled.
399 transferred to another institution.
Westfield lost contact with the remaining 179 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 0.9% |
| Transferred | 399 | 68.1% |
| Dropped Out | 179 | 30.5% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 75% |
| Asian | 77% |
| Black / African-American | 53% |
| Hispanic | 57% |
| International | 50% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 61% |
| Unknown | 63% |
| White | 64% |
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 Westfield 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 Westfield State University represent 65% of the students in the class of 2015, and 64.01% of Westfield bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 52%, first-time students in the Westfield class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were more likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the Westfield graduation rate was 65%, and by the eight year mark, 65% 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 | Westfield | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 52% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 65% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 65% | 47.82% |
394 first-time / full-time students or 35% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
5 are still enrolled.
304 transferred to another institution.
Westfield lost contact with the remaining 87 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 5 | 1.27% |
| Transferred | 304 | 77.16% |
| Dropped Out | 87 | 22.08% |
First-time / part-time students at Westfield State University represent 0.34% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the Westfield class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 33%.
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 | Westfield | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 33% | 23.72% |
4 first-time / part-time students or 67% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
0 are still enrolled.
1 transferred to another institution.
Westfield 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 | 1 | 25.00% |
| Dropped Out | 3 | 75.00% |
480 Westfield students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 27.09% 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 73%, 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 74%.
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 | Westfield | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 73% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 74% | 55.07% |
124 non first-time / part-time students or 26% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
3 are still enrolled.
68 transferred to another institution.
Westfield lost contact with the remaining 53 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 3 | 2.42% |
| Transferred | 68 | 54.84% |
| Dropped Out | 53 | 42.74% |
136 Westfield students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 7.67% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 49%, 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 53%.
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 | Westfield | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 49% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 53% | 37.80% |
64 non first-time / part-time students or 47% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
2 are still enrolled.
26 transferred to another institution.
Westfield lost contact with the remaining 36 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 2 | 3.13% |
| Transferred | 26 | 40.63% |
| Dropped Out | 36 | 56.25% |
