When it comes to selecting the top school, there are many options. Multiple educational institutes serve people with master’s and bachelor’s degrees.
In addition, many worldwide searches for higher education to get a degree and work concurrently.
Despite what we have included here, there are some colleges that we would only suggest you apply to once you are satisfied with what they provide, just as many typical schools promise to give you the best.
This article will list the colleges with the lowest graduation rate. Therefore, if you have been considering attending any of these universities, think twice and look for prominent institutions with more.
Because it can be difficult for graduates from these institutions to obtain high-paying jobs with their credentials, they are only sometimes proud of their alma mater.
Table of contents
- What is the Federal Graduation Rate?
- Are College Graduation Rates significant?
- What are the Colleges with the Lowest Graduation Rate?
- #2. The University of Alaska Anchorage in Alaska
- #3. Western International University in Arizona
- #4. Philander Smith College in Arkansas
- #5. Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky
- #6. Alabama State University in Alabama
- #7. Nazarene Bible College in Colorado
- #8. Mitchell College
- #9. Wesley College in Delaware
- #10. Edward Waters College in Florida
- #11. College San Diego in California
- #12. Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho
- #13. Waldorf University in Iowa
- #14. Sterling College in Kansas
- #15. Art Institute of Atlanta in Georgia
- #16. The University of Honolulu in Hawaii
- #17. Grambling State University in Louisiana
- #18. Augusta State University in Maine
- #19. Coppin State University in Maryland
- #20. Texas College in Texas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What is the Federal Graduation Rate?
First, the NCAA uses the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR), a set of data, to assess how well a school is performing in assisting its student-athletes in completing their degree.
This system keeps track of first-year students enrolled full time. It monitors those pupils for six years to see if they complete their secondary education at the same college or university where they started.
However, this approach needs to take transferring students into consideration. The NCAA developed the Graduation Success Rates (GSR) to capture the experiences of contemporary student-athletes better.
The GSR employs the same information as the FGR but also considers transfers and graduates from the same institution.
Additionally, when a student-athlete in good standing leaves one school to enroll in another, their transfer does not affect the rate charged by that school.
We will use the current Graduation Success Rate (GSR) benchmark for this breakdown.
Are College Graduation Rates significant?
One requirement constantly comes up while deciding which college to attend: graduation rate.
Graduation rate is the period it takes a student to enroll in a 4-year college or university, pursue a degree there, then graduate: X% of enrolled students graduate in four years with a degree.
A high number is excellent, and a low number is terrible; these rates are mentioned on numerous national rankings, and we might assume that the meaning is straightforward.
That’s tough. The graduation rate, which was first estimated in the middle of the 1990s, keeps track of all first-time, full-time students who enroll in school in the autumn and graduate four years later.
All transfer students are disqualified, regardless of whether they are transferring in to finish their degree or out to finish at another college. Therefore, those who eventually spend their degrees—possibly even on time—do not count.
The graduation rate is sometimes disputed due to this and other problems, so it’s essential to understand what it means when determining which college is the best value for you.
Read: 20 Colleges in California With High Acceptance Rates in 2024
What are the Colleges with the Lowest Graduation Rate?
Below are the colleges with the lowest graduation rate:
- DeVry University in Illinois
- The University of Alaska Anchorage in Alaska
- Western International University in Arizona
- Philander Smith College in Arkansas
- Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky
- Alabama State University in Alabama
- Nazarene Bible College in Colorado
- Mitchell College
- Wesley College in Delaware
- Edward Waters College in Florida
- College San Diego in California
- Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho
- Waldorf University in Iowa
- Sterling College in Kansas
- Art Institute of Atlanta in Georgia
- The University of Honolulu in Hawaii
- Grambling State University in Louisiana
- Augusta State University in Maine
- Coppin State University in Maryland
- Texas College in Texas
#1. DeVry University in Illinois
DeVry University, located in Illinois, has the lowest graduation rate and is often at the bottom of lists of the best universities.
For instance, the school has a pretty negative reputation because it is ranked 127–166 out of 167, which indicates that it isn’t performing exceptionally well.
Its welcoming online lessons led us to list it as the worst university in the US, but they only care if you’re getting the most education for your money. So it is hardly surprising that DeVry University has a 50% acceptance rate.
The graduation rate at this college is 20.6%, which shows that many students barely complete their degrees or leave their programs in the middle of them.
#2. The University of Alaska Anchorage in Alaska
Compared to other state universities, the University of Alaska charges a price far higher than what is provided.
In addition, at 31%, the graduation rate is far below the national average, and many graduates still need to repay their student loans three years after graduation.
Being a public university, the University of Alaska Anchorage has one of the highest acceptance rates, at 77%.
It’s easy to get accepted into this school, which opens the door to students who need to be committed to learning and lead to subpar graduation rates. The 32% graduation rate, which is way too low, is one issue to be concerned about here.
The University of Alaska’s escalating costs deter many students and are another negative aspect.
There are also problems with the service quality, which many students have said is subpar. Finally, the school’s location contributes to its poor reputation. Students will have to endure the bitter cold of Alaska because the university is there.
The one positive aspect is that, compared to other universities, its graduates make an average salary of roughly $46,000.
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#3. Western International University in Arizona
Western International University in Arizona is there. However, since the university is privately owned, barely 15% of its approximately 1,350 students graduate after six years.
Many students had complained about the institution’s poor service delivery, high tuition costs, and other issues before it stopped enrolling students in degree programs in early 2019. The institution is also said to have lost its accreditation at this time.
According to materials from college Factual, only 1% of students will complete their education within the anticipated time frame. After three years, many students stop making loan payments.
#4. Philander Smith College in Arkansas
The Arkansas-based Philander Smith College, which has a 40% graduation rate and most of its students graduate with a median income of $26,600, has an advantage because of its reasonably priced tuition. Other than that, other factors are unimportant.
Most students frequently lament the quality of the cafeteria food, the conditions of their lodging, the absence of student activities, and the lack of professionalism.
#5. Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky
With a 37% graduation rate, Lindsey Wilson’s performance is pitiful, given the prohibitively high cost of tuition. The average student loan debt is $20,536, with a default rate of 9.6%. Even worse, it’s rising.
Regarding employment at the school, Most people lament that the school is the wrong place to work and that the atmosphere and pay are not motivating.
Some good news: a higher percentage of graduates are employed two years after graduation. This is higher than the 83% national average. However, the average salary is similar at $28,800.
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#6. Alabama State University in Alabama
With a 98% acceptance rate, Alabama State University accepts practically all applications. However, the institution is ranked 331st out of 440.
Alabama State University has more than 4500 students enrolled, but only a tiny percentage graduate; the institution’s graduation rate is under 28%.
The school’s lack of professionalism, how they manage financial aid, lack of enthusiasm for social activities, etc., are some of its worst characteristics.
After six years, the average salary for graduates is $27,000, which is below the national average. To make matters worse, more than 20% of students cease making loan repayments after three years.
#7. Nazarene Bible College in Colorado
The Nazarene Bible College’s steep tuition costs are a crucial flaw of the school. On average, many of their graduates have outstanding student loan debts of $42,340.
Since most of their graduates only make an average of $29700 after six years, this is considered excessive. Due to this, just 14% of students complete their education, while 12.9% of students default. In addition, the percentage of part-time students at this college is higher.
Although Nazarene Bible College in Colorado has an above-average graduation rate, acceptance rates are almost 100%.
#8. Mitchell College
Mitchell College is a pricey university with average student debt of $32,848 after taking loans, and the average earnings of their alums after six years are different. After six years, their graduates make an average salary of $32,000.
Students say that their facilities need to be updated and that they only sometimes have access to the internet because of the high cost of their tuition.
Additionally, most students reside in dorms with food of worse quality than what they are paying for in tuition.
You should also be aware that Mitchell College has a 42% graduation rate and a 72% acceptance rate.
Read Also: 20 Colleges with the Best Dorms in 2024
#9. Wesley College in Delaware
Wesley College is more expensive than other institutions in the area; on average, students leave with $31,084 in debt. The best thing is that they earn an average of $42,900 six years after graduating.
Wesley’s 32% graduation percentage needs to be drastically improved. The low incidence of freshman retention may be to blame for this. Students would leave quickly, considering how challenging it is to get in.
Delaware State University purchased Wesley College in Delaware, which is currently known as the DSU Downtown campus.
#10. Edward Waters College in Florida
Edward Waters College has several drawbacks, including the fact that it is not inexpensive and that the campus environment is unhealthy and unsanitary.
As a result, many students have complained about this, and more continue to do so as they deal with leaks, mold, and dead mice.
Additionally, many students leave college with loan obligations totaling more than $21,000, making repayment challenges.
It also has a dismal 17% graduation rate. Second, surveys conducted six years after graduation show a median pay of $25,900.
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#11. College San Diego in California
There are a lot of things in California and San Diego that need to be improved. Nearly 80% of students who graduate with debts totaling $31 884 find employment and make an average salary of $39,884 after six years. Compared to the deficit, this is regarded as being small.
And that assumes that the students complete their education, as the graduation rate is only about 40%.
Another flaw is that only 19% of their instructors work full-time, so they spent little time teaching the pupils.
#12. Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho
With only $19,948 in student loans, Lewis-Clark State University is reasonably priced enough for students to graduate.
Six years after graduating, however, despite earning an average of $34,600, 12. 8% of students still default. There are no rejections.
The graduation rate is 38%, with only 11% of students completing their studies on time. According to the students, this college has the benefit of 68% full-time professors who enjoy their jobs.
#13. Waldorf University in Iowa
The facilities at Waldorf University are subpar and rather pricey; We have also made complaints about the cuisine and the dorm.
Nevertheless, the average student graduates with $27,804 in debt. The good news is that although the median income is $37,800, 9.7% of borrowers still default on their payments.
That they have a graduation rate of 31.4 may explain the high default rate%. However, compared to some of the other universities on this list, 26% of those who graduate do so on time.
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#14. Sterling College in Kansas
One college with expensive tuition is Sterling College. They owe more than $23,000 on their college loans on average.
Additionally, most students graduate late; they have one of the lowest freshman retention rates, and the average salary for graduates after six years is $35,700.
#15. Art Institute of Atlanta in Georgia
South University’s art school was once ranked as the third-worst college. Art schools are notoriously expensive, and this one is no exception. The average student has $31,656 in debt when they graduate.
The low average salary of $30,900 that graduates get may be a factor in the 18.8% default rate. Only 11% of all students at The Art Institute of Atlanta complete their studies on time, resulting in a graduation rate of 14%.
#16. The University of Honolulu in Hawaii
The worst thing about the University of Honolulu is its expensive tuition, which exceeds the facilities offered.
For example, students have frequently complained that most buildings lack air conditioning and that there is a housing shortage for students.
Students graduate with an average debt of $26,468; the good news is that a higher percentage repay their loans—just 5.6%. The six-year average pay is $38,400, and the graduation rate is 48.3%.
#17. Grambling State University in Louisiana
One of the worst universities in the US is Grambling State University. Although it boasts a 37% graduation rate, its tuition is relatively expensive, and its alums graduate with debts totaling more than $27,000. In addition, 16.1% of students will default on their obligations because of the low average income ($28,100).
A public university is Grambling State. It has a high proportion of full-time faculty (95%) but a low student-to-faculty ratio of 25:1. That is a relatively high price for everyone who needs extra help.
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#18. Augusta State University in Maine
There are better choices than Augusta State University in Maine. The percentage of graduates is 27.8%. Graduates leave school with a 17% default rate and $23,896 in debt.
The bad news keeps coming with an average salary of $27,700. One benefit of this university is that 80% of graduates are employed two years after graduation. Although it is less than the 83% national average, it is not far behind.
#19. Coppin State University in Maryland
Even if Coppin State University is superior to the rest, you still need to enroll. Many students leave school with a loan debt of over $23,000, yet their average wage after six years is still greater at $38,100.
Coppin State University’s low graduation rate of 20.4% and a large percentage of part-time faculty members, which results in less free time for students, are its worst features.
#20. Texas College in Texas
Texas College has a 12.4% graduation rate, showing that most students need more time to complete their degrees. In addition, students graduate with a loan debt of $21,624.
Since the average earnings of its graduates after six years is only $23,400, many stop making loan payments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Top universities frequently keep their graduation rates above 90%. Harvard, for instance, has a graduation rate of 98%, while Yale has a rate of 97%.
Although graduation rates shouldn’t be the only factor students use to evaluate a school, they frequently reflect the institution’s academic program quality and selectivity.
College graduation rates are rising as of 2019. However, only 58.3% of students finish their bachelor’s degrees.
Graduation rates below 50% are frequently maintained at less selective schools. The lowest graduation rates are often found in schools that provide open enrollment.
Conclusion
The 20 colleges with the lowest graduation rate in 2024 are ranked by state and are listed above. Therefore, if you’re considering enrolling in one of the most outstanding universities, we urge you to continue researching all the colleges on the list we provided above in this post.
References
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