Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

GU Bucks Graduation Rate Trend

256389866Graduation rates at colleges across the nation remain sharply below Georgetown’s 93 percent figure, according to a report released on Sept. 27.

Complete College America, a non-profit group that focuses on educational problems, found that 53.2 percent of students in the 33 states that submitted data complete a four-year bachelors program within six years.

Though District universities did not participate in the study, Georgetown’s graduation rate of 93.96 percent of undergraduates who earn undergraduate degrees far surpassed the national average.

“Georgetown has some of the highest retention and graduation rates in the country,” Rachel Pugh, director of media relations, said. “I think this speaks to the caliber of our students and faculty, as well as our support programs for undergraduates.”

This graduation rate is more than 10 points above those at local institutions. The George Washington University and American University reported rates of 80.6 percent and 79 percent respectively.

Though Georgetown’s figure lags approximately four percentage points behind that of Yale University’s 98 percent, it surpasses the rates of many of its closest competitors. The university edged out Boston College’s 91 percent and Johns Hopkins University’s 92 percent.

“We spend a lot of decanal energy assisting students with the planning of next semesters of study with the horizon always there of earning the degree,” Senior Associate Dean of the College Anne Sullivan said, adding that deans send periodic updates to seniors in danger of leaving requirements unfulfilled.

While the university’s leadership puts great effort into maintaining a high graduation rate, Sullivan said a student’s academic experience is ultimately more important.

“To me there is nothing magic about four years. We see students graduate early and late for a host of different reasons. Finishing the degree is very important — the timing of the degree less so — and we work with our students toward that goal every day,” Sullivan said.

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