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http://nscresearchcenter.orgSource: National Student Clearinghouse® Research CenterTM Signature ReportTM, “Time to Degree: A National View of the Time Enrolled and Elapsed for Associate and Bachelor’s Degree Earners”

Student PathwaysA�ect Time toDegree

An analysis of 2014-15 degree earners reveals that the majority of students no longer follow the traditional path taking 2 years for an associate degree or 4 years for a bachelor’s degree. Average times to degree are longer because students are starting later, enrolling part-time, changing institutions, or taking stop-outs, often in response to family and work obligations.

Average calendar years to degree

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Average academic years enrolled

Average calendar years to degree

Average academic years enrolled

5.6 yrs

3.4 yrs

5.6 yrs

5.2 yrs

Average academic years enrolled

6.9Average calendar years to degree

< 20 yrs old > 20 yrs old

With Without

4.2

6.0

Age

Dual EnrollmentAverage academic years enrolled

Average calendar years to degree

4.9

8.4

< 20 yrs old > 20 yrs old

5.2 5.3

3.33.4

5.1

Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degreeat Public Institutions

3.03.5

With Without

4.9

5.95.0

5.3HS U

1 School

3 or more Schools

Number of Institutions Attended

Average academic years enrolled

Associate

Bachelor’s

Associate

Bachelor’s

Average calendar years to degree

3.0

4.3 8.6

5.7 7.4

4.2

4.4 4.8

2 yrs to degree

6+ yrs to degree

Number of Stop-Outs0 Stop-outs1 Stop-out2 Stop-outs3 or more Stop-outs

4 yrs to degree

8+ yrs to degree

85.9%

29.3%

28.5%38.4%

12.3%

1.6% 0.2%

82.9%

2.5%

13.6%

1.0%

3.8%

28.3%

24.6%43.3%

3.8%

7.4%2 yrs

Earned degree intwo academic yrs.of enrollment

10.1%4 yrs

Earned degree infour academic yrs.of enrollment