For example, Robert Morris University in Chicago has a 48% retention rate, but a 70% 6-year graduation rate? Is the because the retention rate isn’t included in the graduation rate or because they get a lot of transfer students who do graduate?
Here are the official definitions and I don’t see how they could possibly come up with figures in your post. But if I’m just missing something, somebody please explain. Based on the definition, transfers do not factor into the equation.
They are dofferent statistics from different pools. Retention rate is usually the % of students return for sophomore year. Thr graduation rate is looking at the exit end.
They are both a percentage of the same group:
Graduation is not the first year. Graduates within 6 years include those started college 6 years or less ago.
How is graduation rate higher than retention rate? If say a 1000 kids enroll and 480 come back for sophomore year, how can 790 graduate? The class of 1000 that comes next year doesn’t count towards the first year, right? I think Robert Morris is doing something funny when reporting their graduation rates, maybe they’re including part time students or something else is going on.
The rates do NOT include students who started college different years. Each year’s entering class is a “cohort” and all ststistics are based on that same group.
Now, one cohort could have a graduation rate that is higher than a different cohort’s retention rate but it would be highly unusual to see a huge swing like you mention. I don’t know where you got your statistics, but the official U.S. government site College Navigator shows 49% retention and 41% graduation rates.