College Graduation Credit Hour Statistics

In this post, we explore a variety of statistics related to college graduation and credit hours. From the average time it takes students to complete a degree to the number of credit hours typically taken per semester, these data points shed light on the complexities of the higher education journey. Let’s dive into the numbers to better understand the landscape of college graduation and credit hour trends.

Statistic 1

"The average student takes about 6 years to complete a 4-year degree."

Statistic 2

"The average undergraduate student takes 15 credit hours per semester."

Statistic 3

"Most bachelor degrees require about 120 credit hours."

Statistic 4

"Less than 19% of full-time students earn a bachelor's degree in four years."

Statistic 5

"35% of graduates take 150 hours or more to graduate with a four-year degree."

Statistic 6

"According to College Board, the average full-time college student takes 15 credit hours per semester."

Statistic 7

"Only about 30% of students who take 12 credit hours per semester graduate within 6 years."

Statistic 8

"First-year full-time public university students were enrolled in an average of 14.4 credit hours in 2017."

Statistic 9

"In 2018, full-time undergraduates at public institutions took an average of 14 credit hours per semester."

Statistic 10

"Just 12% of two-year college students graduate on time."

Statistic 11

"Fewer than 50% of students who begin their postsecondary education at a community college attain a credential within 6 years."

Statistic 12

"In 2019, over half (56%) of all first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students were enrolled in 15 or more credit hours."

Statistic 13

"One-fourth of college students exceed the number of credits needed to graduate."

Statistic 14

"Average credit hours earned in graduate school is about 18 per year."

Statistic 15

"Around 15% of credit hours earned by college undergraduates come from non-current courses like mass learning, exams, or test training."

Statistic 16

"The average student loan borrower graduates with over 30,000 dollars in debt."

Statistic 17

"Credits earned at a community college cost about 60% less than those earned at a 4-year institution."

Statistic 18

"An estimated 22% of full-time students earn a bachelor’s degree in four years, as of 2020."

Statistic 19

"Almost a third of first-time college students change their major within the first 3 years."

Statistic 20

"Over 75% of students who take 15 or more credit hours each semester are likely to complete their degree in a timely manner."

The statistics presented highlight various trends and challenges in college graduation rates and credit hour accumulation. It is evident that a significant portion of students take longer than the traditional four years to complete a bachelor’s degree, with various factors such as credit hours per semester, major changes, and excessive credits contributing to extended timelines. The data also underscore the importance of course load on graduation outcomes, with higher credit hour enrollment correlating with higher completion rates. Additionally, the financial implications of student debt and the cost differentials between institutions are key considerations for students navigating their academic journeys. Overall, these statistics emphasize the complexities and nuances inherent in the college experience and underscore the multifaceted nature of factors influencing graduation rates and academic success.