Graduation Rates at North Carolina Colleges

Graduate Rate 65.83%

Male 61.60%

Female 69.01%

Transfer-Out Rate 17.86%

Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time 75% / 55%

North Carolina Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of North Carolina colleges is 65.83% - 34,536 students out of 52,460 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 13,846 male and 20,690 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
North Carolina colleges and universities
	Candidates	Completers	Graduation Rates
Total	52,460	34,536	65.83%
Male	22,478	13,846	61.60%
Female	29,982	20,690	69.01%

[Chart] North Carolina Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 27,305 students completed their degree in 4 years and 5,858 finished in 5 years at North Carolina colleges. Additional 1,216 students graduated within 6 years.

Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
North Carolina Colleges
	Total	Male	Female
4 Year or Less	52.05%	45.53%	56.94%
5 Year	63.22%	58.53%	66.73%
6 Year	65.53%	61.40%	68.63%

[Chart] North Carolina 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 North Carolina colleges is 75.09% for full-time students and 56.89% for part-time students.

Retention Rates (2024-2025)
North Carolina Colleges and Universities
	Full-time	Part-time
Retention Rate	75.09%	56.89%

[Chart] North Carolina Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at North Carolina colleges is 17.86%. 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
North Carolina Colleges and Universities
	Transfer-out	Total Students	Transfer-Out Rate
Total	9,367	52,460	17.86%
Male	4,081	22,478	18.16%
Female	5,286	29,982	17.63%

[Chart] North Carolina Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates

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