univstats
Graduate Rate 67.10%
Male 62.52%
Female 71.00%
Transfer-Out Rate 15.92%
Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time
79% / 58%

Pennsylvania Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of Pennsylvania colleges is 67.10% - 58,106 students out of 86,594 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 24,885 male and 33,221 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
Pennsylvania colleges and universities
CandidatesCompletersGraduation Rates
Total86,59458,10667.10%
Male39,80624,88562.52%
Female46,78833,22171.00%
[Chart] Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 47,661 students completed their degree in 4 years and 8,986 finished in 5 years at Pennsylvania colleges. Additional 1,329 students graduated within 6 years.
Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
Pennsylvania Colleges
TotalMaleFemale
4 Year or Less55.04% 48.64% 60.48%
5 Year65.42% 60.40% 69.69%
6 Year66.95% 62.31% 70.90%
[Chart] Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania colleges is 78.80% for full-time students and 58.32% for part-time students.
Retention Rates (2023-2024)
Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities
Full-timePart-time
Retention Rate 78.80%58.32%
[Chart] Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at Pennsylvania colleges is 15.92%. 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
Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities
Transfer-outTotal StudentsTransfer-Out Rate
Total 13,78886,594 15.92%
Male 6,55139,806 16.46%
Female 7,23746,788 15.47%
[Chart] Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates