univstats
Graduate Rate 75.29%
Male 72.36%
Female 77.71%
Transfer-Out Rate 8.83%
Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time
82% / 57%

Massachusetts Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of Massachusetts colleges is 75.29% - 38,100 students out of 50,607 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 16,576 male and 21,524 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
Massachusetts colleges and universities
CandidatesCompletersGraduation Rates
Total50,60738,10075.29%
Male22,90816,57672.36%
Female27,69921,52477.71%
[Chart] Massachusetts Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 31,334 students completed their degree in 4 years and 5,881 finished in 5 years at Massachusetts colleges. Additional 838 students graduated within 6 years.
Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
Massachusetts Colleges
TotalMaleFemale
4 Year or Less61.92% 57.05% 65.94%
5 Year73.54% 70.19% 76.31%
6 Year75.19% 72.24% 77.63%
[Chart] Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts colleges is 81.91% for full-time students and 55.32% for part-time students.
Retention Rates (2023-2024)
Massachusetts Colleges and Universities
Full-timePart-time
Retention Rate 81.91%55.32%
[Chart] Massachusetts Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at Massachusetts colleges is 8.83%. 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
Massachusetts Colleges and Universities
Transfer-outTotal StudentsTransfer-Out Rate
Total 4,47150,607 8.83%
Male 2,15022,908 9.39%
Female 2,32127,699 8.38%
[Chart] Massachusetts Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates