When it comes to on-time completion, the latest national survey reveals some good news: college completion rates across all types of institutions went up in 2021. Six-year completion rates rose by 1.2 percent and community college completion increased by 1.5 percent. Coming in the midst of the pandemic, this improvement demonstrates extraordinary dedication on the part of both institutions and students.
But — and you might have guessed a but was coming — these increases still leave nearly 40 percent of students struggling to complete a 4-year degree within six years. And only one out of every three financially independent students completes a degree at all.
