univstats

Iowa Colleges Graduation Rates

Graduate Rate 68.78%
Male 64.85%
Female 72.68%
Transfer-Out Rate 16.02%
Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time
74% / 56%

Iowa Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of Iowa colleges is 68.78% - 14,401 students out of 20,937 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 6,759 male and 7,642 female students have graduated last year completing their studies within 150% normal time.The following table summarizes the graduation rate by gender with number of completers.
Graduation Rate By Gender
Iowa colleges and universities
CandidatesCompletersGraduation Rates
Total20,93714,40168.78%
Male10,4236,75964.85%
Female10,5147,64272.68%
[Chart] Iowa Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 11,109 students completed their degree in 4 years and 2,901 finished in 5 years at Iowa colleges. Additional 371 students graduated within 6 years.
Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
Iowa Colleges
TotalMaleFemale
4 Year or Less53.06% 46.58% 59.48%
5 Year66.92% 62.61% 71.18%
6 Year68.69% 64.79% 72.55%
[Chart] Iowa Colleges and Universities BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

Retention Rate

By definition, retention rate is the percentage of students who return to a college for their sophomore year. The average retention rate of Iowa colleges is 73.84% for full-time students and 55.67% for part-time students.
Retention Rates (2023-2024)
Iowa Colleges and Universities
Full-timePart-time
Retention Rate 73.84%55.67%
[Chart] Iowa Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at Iowa colleges is 16.02%. The transfer-out rate is calculated by dividing students who have transferred out of other institution into total number of students (candidates) within 150% normal time.
Transfer-Out Rates
Iowa Colleges and Universities
Transfer-outTotal StudentsTransfer-Out Rate
Total 3,35420,937 16.02%
Male 1,70710,423 16.38%
Female 1,64710,514 15.66%
[Chart] Iowa Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates