<p>A school I looked at has a 6 yr. graduation rate of 45%... other than the obvious ~ transfers, flunking out... what causes this horrible statistic?? Is this a commuter school thing??</p>
<p>Or just a state public university?</p>
<p>The average time to graduation may not even be material in your situation. What does matter is whether or not YOU will be able to graduate within the timeframe that is important for YOU.</p>
<p>I’m a parent… 
Just wondering if I am missing something…</p>
<p>Look at the Freshman Retention percentage, what percentage return for Sophomore year?</p>
<p>See if you can determine if it is difficult for students to get the classes they need, when they need them, so they don’t need to put in an extra semester, or two, or three…</p>
<p>While it’s true that each student makes his own decisions and can be determined to graduate, it is harder to keep going if, for whatever reason, people around you aren’t finishing.</p>
<p>Less selective schools almost always have lower grad rates–esp. state U’s as many drop out, stop out etc.</p>
<p>If it has low admissions selectivity, it may be taking in many students who have trouble with college level work (cannot handle a full course load, need remedial courses, fail courses, etc.).</p>
<p>A good student who can handle college level work would be more likely to graduate (and in four years) than the typical student at such a school.</p>
<p>^^^ exactly.</p>
<p>Back in the last century, I attended a public university where every square inch of lounge space was turned into freshman housing in the fall. By Thanksgiving, the lounges were empty because so many students didn’t last even that long. </p>
<p>If your kid has what it takes to get through the first year, chances are that things will be fine.</p>
<p>45% is actually pretty good for a public university.</p>
<p>The other thing to investigate is the money issue. If students can’t afford to attend full time, they may be still completing their degrees, but at a much slower pace.</p>
<p>public universities or bigger schools will generally have a lower retention rate</p>
<p>It is a public and I discovered they also offer 2 yr. technical degrees, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree, so I am sure that is partly it…</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>