Here is CrowdFundEdu’s list of the 25 colleges and universities with the highest graduation rates in the United States based on National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data.

Note that this list is based on data from the most recent year for which data is available, which is 2019-2020. The graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who graduated within 150% of the usual time for completing their degree program (e.g., within six years for a bachelor’s degree).

Top 25 Colleges with the Highest Graduation Rates

1. Brigham Young University-Provo (UT) – 96%
2. Dartmouth College (NH) – 95%
3. University of Notre Dame (IN) – 95%
4. Stanford University (CA) – 94%
5. Yale University (CT) – 93%
6. Williams College (MA) – 93%
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA) – 92%
8. Princeton University (NJ) – 92%
9. Brown University (RI) – 91%
10. Amherst College (MA) – 91%
11. Harvard University (MA) – 91%
12. Columbia University (NY) – 91%
13. University of Virginia (VA) – 91%
14. Duke University (NC) – 90%
15. Pomona College (CA) – 90%
16. Swarthmore College (PA) – 90%
17. University of California-Berkeley (CA) – 90%
18. University of California-Los Angeles (CA) – 90%
19. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (MI) – 90%
20. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC) – 90%
21. Wellesley College (MA) – 90%
22. University of Pennsylvania (PA) – 89%
23. Bowdoin College (ME) – 89%
24. Middlebury College (VT) – 89%
25. University of Southern California (CA) – 89%

25 Colleges with the Lowest Graduation Rates

1. South Carolina State University – 12%
2. Grambling State University (LA) – 16%
3. University of the District of Columbia (DC) – 16%
4. Virginia State University – 17%
5. East Carolina University (NC) – 17%
6. Winston-Salem State University (NC) – 17%
7. Savannah State University (GA) – 18%
8. Voorhees College (SC) – 18%
9. Florida A&M University – 19%
10. Southern University at New Orleans (LA) – 19%
11. University of Louisiana at Monroe – 19%
12. Fort Valley State University (GA) – 19%
13. Alabama State University – 20%
14. Arkansas State University-Main Campus – 20%
15. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania – 20%
16. Prairie View A & M University (TX) – 20%
17. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff – 20%
18. Alabama A & M University – 21%
19. Bennett College (NC) – 21%
20. Clark Atlanta University (GA) – 21%
21. Coppin State University (MD) – 21%
22. Delaware State University – 21%
23. Dillard University (LA) – 21%
24. Fisk University (TN) – 21%
25. Grambling State University (LA) – 21%

*It’s important to note that the graduation rates of colleges and universities can vary widely for a number of reasons, including the type of institution, the academic programs offered, the student population, and the level of resources and support available to students. It’s also important to consider other factors, such as the cost of attendance, the job prospects for graduates, and the overall quality of the educational experience when evaluating colleges and universities.

What is college graduation rate?

College graduation rate refers to the percentage of students who complete their degree program within a specified time frame. The graduation rate is calculated by dividing the number of students who earn their degree by the number of students who enrolled in the program. The specified time frame can vary depending on the institution and the type of degree program. For example, some institutions may measure graduation rates over a four-year period for a bachelor’s degree program, while others may measure it over a two-year period for an associate degree program.

Three important pieces of information about college graduation rate include:

1. The graduation rate can vary widely between institutions and programs.
2. Graduation rates can be affected by factors such as student demographics, academic preparedness, and financial resources.
3. Graduation rates can be an important indicator of the quality and effectiveness of an institution or program.

What factors can impact college graduation rate?

There are several factors that can impact college graduation rate. Some of the most common factors include:

• Academic preparedness: Students who are not adequately prepared for college-level coursework may struggle to keep up with the demands of their degree program, which can impact their ability to graduate.
• Financial resources: Students who do not have access to adequate financial resources may struggle to pay for tuition, fees, and other expenses associated with college, which can impact their ability to complete their degree.
• Demographics: Students from certain demographic groups, such as low-income students or students of color, may face unique challenges that can impact their ability to graduate.
• Support and resources: Students who do not have access to adequate academic and social support may struggle to navigate the challenges of college, which can impact their ability to graduate.
• Health and well-being: Students who are dealing with physical or mental health issues may struggle to keep up with the demands of their degree program, which can impact their ability to graduate.

Three important pieces of information about factors that can impact college graduation rate include:

1. Academic preparedness, financial resources, demographics, support and resources, and health and well-being can all impact college graduation rate.
2. Some students may face multiple challenges that can impact their ability to graduate.
3. Colleges and universities can take steps to address these factors and improve graduation rates

How do colleges and universities measure graduation rate?

Colleges and universities typically measure graduation rate using a formula that divides the number of students who earn a degree by the number of students who enrolled in the program. However, there are different ways to calculate graduation rates depending on the specific circumstances. For example, some institutions may measure graduation rates only for full-time students, while others may include part-time students. Additionally, some institutions may track graduation rates over a longer period of time, such as six or eight years, to account for students who take longer to complete their degree.

Three important pieces of information about how colleges and universities measure graduation rate include:

1. Colleges and universities typically use a formula that divides the number of students who earn a degree by the number of students who enrolled in the program to measure graduation rate.
2. Graduation rates can be calculated in different ways depending on the specific circumstances, such as whether the institution includes part-time students or tracks graduation rates over a longer period of time.
3. It’s important to understand how an institution measures graduation rate in order to accurately compare rates between different institutions.

Why is a college’s graduation rate important?

There are several reasons why a college’s graduation rate is important. Here are a few:

1. Graduation rate is often used to measure a college’s academic quality. In general, colleges with high graduation rates tend to have strong academic programs and provide students with the support they need to succeed.
2. Graduation rate is a key factor in determining the value of a college education. Students who graduate from college within a reasonable amount of time are more likely to recoup their investment in their education through higher earnings and other benefits.
3. Graduation rate can be an important consideration for students who are choosing a college. Students who are more likely to graduate are more likely to have a positive college experience and achieve their academic and career goals.
4. Graduation rate is a key indicator of a college’s effectiveness in retaining and supporting its students. Colleges with high graduation rates tend to have strong retention and support programs, which can help students stay on track and graduate on time.
5. Graduation rate is often used to measure a college’s accountability and transparency. Colleges that are transparent about their graduation rates and other key metrics are more likely to be accountable to students, parents, and other stakeholders.

What can colleges and universities do to improve graduation rates?

There are several strategies that colleges and universities can use to improve graduation rates. Some of these strategies include:

• Offering academic support and resources, such as tutoring and study groups, to help students succeed in their coursework.
• Providing financial aid and other resources to help students pay for college and reduce their debt load.
• Implementing programs and initiatives to support students from underrepresented groups, such as low-income students or students of color.
• Encouraging students to take a full course load and complete their degree program on time.
• Providing career counseling and other resources to help students transition from college to the workforce.

Three important pieces of information about strategies that colleges and universities can use to improve graduation rates include:

1. Colleges and universities can offer academic support, financial aid, and programs to support underrepresented students to improve graduation rates.
2. Encouraging students to take a full course load and complete their degree program on time can also improve graduation rates.
3. Colleges and universities should evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies and adjust them as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes for their students.

College Graduation Rate FAQs

1. What is graduation rate, and why is it important?

Graduation rate is the percentage of full-time, first-time students who graduate within 150% of the usual time for completing their degree program. It is important because it measures a college’s effectiveness in retaining and supporting its students and academic quality. A high graduation rate indicates a strong academic program and a robust support system for students.

2. What factors can affect a college’s graduation rate?

Several factors can affect a college’s graduation rate, including the type of institution, the academic programs offered, the student population, the level of resources and support available to students, and the selectivity of the college.

3. Can a high graduation rate guarantee a quality education?

While a high graduation rate indicates a quality education, it does not guarantee it. Other factors, such as the quality of the educational experience, the cost of attendance, and the job prospects for graduates, should also be considered when evaluating colleges and universities.

4. What other factors should I consider when choosing a college?

Other factors to consider when choosing a college include the cost of attendance, the availability of financial aid and scholarships, the location and campus culture, the quality of academic programs and faculty, the size and diversity of the student population, the availability of support services, and the job prospects for graduates.

5. How can I find information on a college’s graduation rate?

You can find information on a college’s graduation rate on the National Center for Education Statistics website or the college’s website. College ranking websites often include graduation rates as part of their ranking criteria.