Six-Year Graduation Rates at Four-Year Institutions (2012-2017)

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) provide a new look at graduation rate data for students who began their postsecondary studies at a four-year institution. Overall, 37 percent of first-time postsecondary students earned a BA within six years of matriculation. Another six percent were still enrolled at the four-year level. Among students who began at a four-year institution, 74 percent of those who began their studies at a four-year private non-profit institution earned a BA in six years. Another five percent were still enrolled. Students who started at a four-year public institution had a 59 percent graduation rate, with an additional 9 percent still enrolled at the four-year level. Only 14 percent of students who began at a four-year private, for-profit institution earned a BA.