2010 undergraduate graduation rate report undergraduate graduation rate report * students entering...

2010 Undergraduate Graduation Rate Report* Students Entering Fall 1980 through Fall 2003

Catherine J Alvord and Marin E Clarkberg Institutional Research and Planning 440 Day Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853‐2801

Contents

A. Graduation Rates of First‐Time Freshmen ................................................. 1 B. Attrition among First‐Time Freshmen ........................................................ 7 C. Graduation Rates of External Transfers ...................................................... 9

* Throughout this report the following abbreviations apply:

AG: Agriculture & Life Sciences AR: Architecture, Arts & Planning AS: Arts & Sciences EN: Engineering HA: Hotel Administration HE: Human Ecology IL: Industrial & Labor Relations

2010 Undergraduate Graduation Rate Report

A. Graduation Rates of First‐Time Freshmen • Overall and by College

o Of the 3,131 first‐time freshmen entering Cornell in Fall 2003, 92% (2,877 students) earned a baccalaureate degree within six years (see Figure 1). This is an increase in the six‐year graduation rate from 83% achieved by the cohort entering in 1980.

o The vast majority of Cornell undergraduates earn degrees within four‐years; less than ten percent complete in five or six years (see Figure 1).

o The proportion of students who graduate early—completing degree requirements prior to the spring semester of their fourth year at Cornell—has increased over time from 3‐6% in the early 1980s to closer to 10% beginning with the entering class of 2000.

o The college Architecture, Art & Planning, with a five‐year bachelors program in architecture, has the lowest six‐year graduation rate of the seven undergraduate colleges (see Table 1).

Figure 1. Graduation within six years, by years taken to complete baccalaureate requirements

3% 4% 6% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 5% 5% 4% 6% 6% 6% 6% 7% 8% 8% 8% 10%

11%

10%

8%

83%

85%

84% 87%

87%

88%

90%

90% 92%

89%

91%

90%

91%

91%

90%

91%

90%

92%

93%

93%

92%

92%

93%

92%

73%

75%

73%

74%

75% 78%

80%

80% 83%

80%

80%

80%

81%

83%

82%

81%

82% 85%

85%

84%

84%

85% 87%

85%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Gradu

ated

Fall Entering

< 4years <= 4 years 5 years 6 years

Institutional Research & Planning Page 1

2010 Undergraduate Graduation Rate Report Table 1. Six‐year graduation rates by matriculating college

First‐Time Freshmen Entering in:Entering Fall: AR AS EN HA AG HE IL

2003 66.7% 91.9% 92.2% 94.2% 93.0% 95.9% 94.4%2002 85.2% 93.7% 91.4% 92.7% 93.3% 95.8% 95.9%2001 68.1% 92.4% 93.7% 90.1% 93.6% 93.4% 93.2%2000 78.3% 92.0% 92.2% 90.5% 93.5% 95.7% 94.4%1999 76.5% 92.4% 93.7% 92.2% 93.0% 97.8% 94.0%1998 81.1% 90.7% 93.7% 94.9% 94.8% 96.4% 94.7%1997 77.0% 91.5% 91.7% 92.8% 94.4% 95.8% 92.6%1996 69.7% 88.7% 89.9% 91.8% 91.9% 95.0% 95.1%1995 73.3% 92.4% 88.3% 89.0% 93.6% 94.3% 93.1%1994 68.1% 89.8% 90.3% 85.5% 93.2% 92.0% 93.7%1993 81.1% 90.1% 90.3% 88.4% 93.8% 96.0% 95.0%1992 81.3% 90.9% 91.6% 95.0% 90.9% 94.1% 95.2%1991 83.6% 90.2% 89.3% 90.4% 92.3% 92.5% 94.0%1990 83.3% 91.0% 89.7% 91.1% 93.3% 92.0% 90.2%1989 85.1% 90.8% 88.8% 90.6% 91.7% 92.5% 93.7%1988 82.1% 93.6% 90.4% 94.9% 93.8% 95.9% 92.5%1987 85.1% 90.7% 87.5% 89.4% 89.7% 96.0% 88.0%1986 86.0% 90.3% 87.9% 91.1% 92.1% 95.3% 91.2%1985 68.6% 88.7% 89.0% 87.9% 89.1% 89.6% 88.0%1984 77.3% 89.3% 84.1% 83.2% 88.4% 87.9% 91.6%1983 85.7% 88.7% 84.2% 81.6% 86.6% 88.7% 88.5%1982 64.4% 84.9% 83.4% 79.5% 84.8% 86.7% 85.2%1981 79.3% 83.4% 86.1% 85.6% 85.6% 86.3% 89.5%1980 77.5% 81.3% 84.6% 84.8% 83.2% 84.0% 84.7%



• Internal Transfers and Six‐Year Graduation Rates

o Some students entering Cornell as first‐time freshmen graduate transfer internally and graduate from a different college at Cornell, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

o For students entering in Fall 2003, 16% from AR and 13% from HE graduated from another Cornell college (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Fall 2003 Entering Students Six‐Year Graduation Rate within/outside Matriculation College, by College of Matriculation

51%

82% 83% 88% 82% 82% 85%

10%

4% 6%5% 9% 9% 7%

6%

5% 3% 2% 2% 4% 3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

AR AS EN HA AG HE IL

Percen

t Gradu

ated

by Degree Granting

College of Matriculation

Own college Other college, endowed Other college, contract

Figure 3. Six‐Year Graduation Rate within/outside Matriculation College, Fall 1987 ‐ Fall 2003 Entering Students

82%

83%

80%

81%

80%

80%

81%

80%

80%

80%

82%

82%

82%

82%

82%

83%

82%

7% 6% 6% 5% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 6% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% 6%

3% 3% 4% 5% 5% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Gradu

ated

by Degree Granting

Fall Entering

Own college Other college, endowed Other college, contract



• Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Gender o As illustrated in Figure 4, the gap in graduation rates by race has narrowed over time:

o In the cohort entering in the fall of 1980, there was a gap of approximately 17 percentage points between six‐year graduation rate of under‐represented minorities (at 70%) and other American students (87%). By the entering class of Fall 1987, the gap reduced to 13 percentage points.

o For the students entering in Fall 2003, the gap has further narrowed to 6 percentage points.

o The gap between white and Hispanic American students was 4 percentage points for students entering in Fall 2003 (see Figure 5).

o Overall, women graduate at rates higher than men. Among all first‐time freshmen entering in Fall 2003, 93% of women 91% of men graduated within six‐years (see Figure 6).

o The pattern of women graduating at higher rates than men holds true within racial/ethnic categories, excepting Native Americans and international students.

Figure 4. Six‐year graduation rates by race/ethnic status

Notes: “URM,” underrepresented minorities include: African‐American, Hispanic‐American, Native American, and

students indicating 2 or more with at least one of the proceeding categories.

URM Other U.S. International

86.4%92.2%

93.1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Gradu

ted Within Group

Fall Entering

“Other US” includes white, Asian American, and students not declaring a race/ethnicity category.


2010 Undergraduate Graduation Rate Report Figure 5. Fall 2003 Entering Students Graduation in 4, 5, and 6 years by Race/Ethnicity

75% 76%68%

86% 87%79%

87%9% 8%11%

7% 5%13%

4%86% 88%

79%

94% 92% 93% 93%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

AfricanAm.

HispanicAm.

NativeAm

AsianAm.

Caucasian Other/Undeclared

Int'l

Percen

t Gradu

ated

Within Group

Race/Ethnicity

<=4years 5 years 6 years

Figure 6. First‐time freshmen by gender within race/ethnicity category entering in fall 2003 graduating within six‐years

75%

87% 91%

83%

92%

91%

90% 94%

91%

92%

88%

63%

82%

96%

94%

95%

92%

93%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

AfricanAm.

HispanicAm.

NativeAm.

Bi‐/Multi‐URM

AsianAm.


Int'l Total

Percen

t Within Ca

tegory

Race/Ethnicity Category

Men Women



• Recruited Athletes Six‐Year Graduation Rates

o First‐time freshmen who are recruited athletes generally graduate at rates equivalent to the total first‐time freshmen population (92 percent) as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7. Six‐year graduation rate, total and recruited athletes

92.5%

91.9%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Gradu

ated

Fall Entering

First‐Time Freshmen Recruited Athletes

• Financial Aid Package Recipients Six‐Year Graduation Rates o The students with the greatest documented financial need receive Cornell grant aid. Students

who receive grant aid graduate at a slightly lower rate than students who receive loans or those who do not receive loans or grants as part of a financial aid award (see Figure 8).

Figure 8. Financial aid package recipients’ six‐year graduation rate

88%

86%

88%

88%

89%

87% 91%

91%

91%

90%

90%

91%

90%

92%

90%

92%

92%

94%

93%

93%

94%

93%

93%

93%

94%

94%

92%

94%

93%

91%

92%

92%

93%

94%

95%

94%

94%

95%

93%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1990

1991

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Gradu

ating

Fall Entering

CU administered grant aid CU loan but no CU grant aid No loans or grants

NOTE: Financial aid data for Fall 1992 are not available.



B. Attrition among First‐Time Freshmen

• Overall, attrition decreased from 17 percent for those who entering in Fall 1980 (477 students) to 8 percent for first‐time freshmen entering in Fall 2003 (254 students).

• For students entering in Fall 2003, a little over a quarter of the attrition group (70 of 254 students) was required to leave or withdraw from Cornell (see Table 2). Over half of the students not graduating within six‐years took a non‐required leave or withdrawal (166 of 254 students).

• Of the students not obtaining a degree or still enrolled at Cornell after six years (236 students), data from the National Student Clearinghouse indicate that 74 have graduated from another 4‐year institution within the six‐year window.

• Entering SAT scores are weakly associated with attrition (see Figure 9). • Geographic origin is weakly associated with attrition (see Figure 10).

Table 2. Attrition categories of first‐time freshmen not graduating within six‐years Fall 2003 Entering Class Reason AR AS EN HA AG HE IL Total Graduated After Six‐Year Window 3 2 2 ‐ 1 ‐ ‐ 8 Registered as of Fall 2009 2 4 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 10 Leave

Medical ‐ 20 12 2 4 ‐ 3 41 Required 5 14 3 2 2 ‐ 4 30 Voluntary 7 17 7 2 16 2 2 53

Withdrawal Required ‐ 4 24 4 6 2 ‐ 40 Voluntary 4 15 2 ‐ 15 6 ‐ 42

Other/Unknown 17 8 2 ‐ 2 1 ‐ 30 Total 38 84 56 10 46 11 9 254



Figure 9. Percent by SAT combined score quartiles not graduating within six‐year, first‐time freshmen

10.1%

8.2%7.6%6.9%

0%

3%

5%

8%

10%

13%

15%

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Within SA

T Qua

rtiles

Fall Entering

0% ‐ 24% 25% ‐ 49% 50% ‐ 74% 75% ‐ 100%

Figure 10. Percent by geographic admit region not graduating within six‐years, first‐time freshmen

8.1%

New York New England/Middle Atlantic Other USA Foreign

6.3%

10.3%

7.4%

0%2%4%6%8%

10%12%14%16%18%20%

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Percen

t Within Geo

grap

hic Re

gion

Fall Entering



C. Graduation Rates of External Transfers • Most external transfers enter Cornell during their sophomore or junior year. • Eighty‐three percent of those entering in academic year 2003‐04 graduated at within three years and

91% graduated within six years (see Figure 11). • Among transfer students entering in academic year 2003‐04, those in EN had a higher six‐year

graduation rate than those entering in other colleges (see Table 3, and Figure 12). • Reflecting differences observed among first‐time freshmen, under‐represented minorities and men

graduate at slightly lower rates than do white US citizens, international students and female students (see Figures 13 and 14).

Figure 11. Graduation rate by years taken

Table 3. Six‐year graduation rates by matriculating college

49%

42%

44%

47% 50%

45%

43%

41%

44%

45%

43%

43%

37% 41%

41%

38%

84%

81%

81%

83%

85%

81%

80%

82%

84%

83%

81% 86%

82% 85%

84%

83%

93%

91%

88%

89% 93%

89%

87% 92%

90%

90%

90% 93%

91%

92%

94%

91%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1988

‐89

1989

‐90

1990

‐91

1991

‐92

1992

‐93

1993

‐94

1994

‐95

1995

‐96

1996

‐97

1997

‐98

1998

‐99

1999

‐00

2000

‐01

2001

‐02

2002

‐03

2003

‐04

Percen

t Gradu

ated

Academic Year Entering

<= 2 years <= 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years

Entering External Transfers Entering in: Acad Year: AR AS EN HA AG HE IL 2003‐04 68.8% 83.8% 96.0% 87.5% 94.1% 94.0% 93.1% 2002‐03 66.7% 94.8% 96.0% 86.5% 95.4% 95.8% 94.1% 2001‐02 60.0% 91.3% 84.6% 88.5% 91.7% 94.5% 97.7% 2000‐01 70.6% 91.2% 87.5% 91.3% 90.3% 94.6% 91.9% 1999‐00 85.7% 92.2% 93.7% 94.7% 93.4% 92.5% 94.9% 1998‐99 70.0% 90.4% 93.5% 92.6% 87.6% 91.0% 95.4% 1997‐98 50.0% 92.8% 86.8% 91.1% 91.8% 88.9% 91.5% 1996‐97 64.7% 91.3% 76.9% 96.7% 89.9% 91.9% 97.9% 1995‐96 84.2% 87.4% 86.7% 94.1% 92.5% 94.8% 97.2% 1994‐95 56.3% 87.1% 93.5% 84.5% 87.0% 91.2% 89.7% 1993‐94 78.6% 83.8% 90.3% 82.4% 90.6% 91.9% 97.4% 1992‐93 92.0% 95.1% 100.0% 88.4% 91.9% 91.9% 93.3% 1991‐92 77.8% 84.8% 87.1% 92.6% 89.5% 89.9% 90.9% 1990‐91 90.9% 87.6% 87.2% 90.2% 86.0% 91.5% 90.5% 1989‐90 80.8% 91.6% 82.4% 97.1% 90.2% 92.9% 96.2% 1988‐89 75.0% 91.9% 91.4% 98.0% 92.9% 94.9% 93.0%



Figure 12. Graduation time of academic year 2003‐2004 external transfers, by college

13%

31%26%

10%

52%

42%

32%38%38%

81% 80%

64%

86% 88%91%

83%69%

84%

96%

86%

94% 94% 93% 91%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

AR AS EN HA AG HE IL TOTAL

Percen

t Gradu

ated

within Co

llege

Matriculating College

<=2yrs <=3 yrs 4 yrs 5 yrs 6 yrs

Figure 13. Graduation time of academic year 2003‐2004 external transfers, by race/ethnicity

40% 40%

23%

39%46%

33%

33% 30%57%

44%41%

44%

13%10%

8%8%

7%16%

87%80%

88%92% 94% 93%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

AfricanAm.

HispanicAm.

AsianAm.


Int'l

Percen

t Gradu

ated

Within Group

Race/Ethnicity

<=2 years 3 years 4, 5 or 6 years




Figure 14. Graduation time of external transfers, by sex

81.3%84.1%90.5%92.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1988

‐89

1989

‐90

1990

‐91

1991

‐92

1992

‐93

1993

‐94

1994

‐95

1995

‐96

1996

‐97

1997

‐98

1998

‐99

1999

‐00

2000

‐01

2001

‐02

2002

‐03

2003

‐04

Percen

t Gradu

ated

Within Group

Academic Year Entering

Men <= 3 yrs Women <= 3 yrs Men <= 6 yrs Women <= 6 yrs

2010 undergraduate graduation rate report undergraduate graduation rate report * students entering...

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