by our College Data Analytics TeamHow long does it take to earn a degree at WSU? 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 71% students making it past their freshmen year, WSU 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 Kansas, the average is 65.77%.
| Retention Rate | |
|---|---|
| WSU | 71% |
| Nationwide | 70.57% |
| Kansas | 65.77% |
There were approximately 1,751 students in the class of 2015. How many of them actually completed their degree in a timely fashion?
22% of the cohort completed their degree in four years, 48% in six years, and 51% 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 WSU graduation rate 48%.
The average length of time it takes an WSU undergraduate student to complete their bachelor's degree is 4.70 years.
| Completion Within | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 1,204 | 33% |
| Six Years | 1,751 | 48% |
| Eight Years | 96 | 3% |
| Did Not Complete | 1,800 | 49% |
Approximately 1800 students or 49% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.
What happened to the 1800 students who did not complete their degree?
29 are still enrolled.
1059 transferred to another institution.
WSU lost contact with the remaining 659 who we assumed dropped out.
| Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 29 | 1.6% |
| Transferred | 1059 | 58.8% |
| Dropped Out | 659 | 36.6% |
| Race/Ethnicity | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 38% |
| Asian | 62% |
| Black / African-American | 28% |
| Hispanic | 43% |
| International | 53% |
| Multi-Ethnic | 45% |
| Unknown | 29% |
| White | 50% |
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 WSU 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 Wichita State University represent 37% of the students in the class of 2015, and 35.75% of WSU bachelor's degree graduations.
With a four-year graduation rate of 22%, first-time students in the WSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After six years, the WSU graduation rate was 46%, and by the eight year mark, 50% 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 | WSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 22% | 37.92% |
| Six Years | 46% | 46.43% |
| Eight Years | 50% | 47.82% |
678 first-time / full-time students or 50% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
29 are still enrolled.
429 transferred to another institution.
WSU lost contact with the remaining 217 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Full-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 29 | 4.28% |
| Transferred | 429 | 63.27% |
| Dropped Out | 217 | 32.01% |
First-time / part-time students at Wichita State University represent 3.63% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six-year graduation rate of 17%, first-time, part-time students in the WSU class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.
After eight years, the graduation rate was 21%.
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 | WSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 7% | 14.37% |
| Six Years | 17% | 21.59% |
| Eight Years | 21% | 23.72% |
104 first-time / part-time students or 79% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
4 are still enrolled.
51 transferred to another institution.
WSU lost contact with the remaining 49 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 4 | 3.85% |
| Transferred | 51 | 49.04% |
| Dropped Out | 49 | 47.12% |
1566 WSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 42.72% 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 58%, 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 60%.
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 | WSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 49.57% |
| Six Years | 58% | 53.83% |
| Eight Years | 60% | 55.07% |
629 non first-time / part-time students or 40% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
29 are still enrolled.
354 transferred to another institution.
WSU lost contact with the remaining 246 who we assumed dropped out.
| First-Time / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 29 | 4.61% |
| Transferred | 354 | 56.28% |
| Dropped Out | 246 | 39.11% |
607 WSU students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 16.56% of the students in the class of 2015.
With a six year graduation rate of 33%, 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 35%.
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 | WSU | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Four Years | 0% | 30.46% |
| Six Years | 33% | 36.03% |
| Eight Years | 35% | 37.80% |
389 non first-time / part-time students or 65% did not complete their degree within eight years.
Of those who did not finish:
17 are still enrolled.
225 transferred to another institution.
WSU lost contact with the remaining 147 who we assumed dropped out.
| Returning / Part-Time Non-Completions | Undergraduates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Still Enrolled | 17 | 4.37% |
| Transferred | 225 | 57.84% |
| Dropped Out | 147 | 37.79% |
