California’s college freshmen stand a better chance of graduating.

Half of the state’s freshmen graduate with a bachelor’s degree within the traditional four years. This is a marked increase from ten years ago (39%).

According to the UC Information Center, four-year and six-year graduation rates are highest at the University of California (73% and 86%). UC’s four-year rate has risen by 10 points over the last ten years.

At California State University, graduation rates are much lower: only 36% of students graduate in four years; 62% graduate within six years. The CSU Institutional Research & Analyses Data Dashboards predicted the system is unlikely to meet the four-year (40%) or six-year (70%) goals set out in its Graduation Initiative 2025.

Among private universities, nonprofits have relatively high completion rates, though a quarter of students still do not graduate within six years. The majority of students at for-profit colleges never graduate.

Story Date: October 1, 2024