Graduation rate vs aid drop
1,146 traditional 4-year colleges split into four equal groups by six-year bachelor's graduation rate (IPEDS 2023), with each group's median aid drop (IPEDS 2022-23).
| Graduation-rate group | Grad rate range | Median drop |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest quarter | 0–49% | $598 |
| Second | 49–61% | $1,049 |
| Third | 61–71% | $1,214 |
| Highest quarter | 71–97% | $1,532 |
This shows a pattern, not a cause. Graduation rates depend on many things, including student income, selectivity and price. A college's own page shows its graduation rate, retention and aid drop together.
High graduation rate, large drop
| College | 6-yr grad rate | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University MA | 90% | $15,148 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York NY | 95% | $14,983 |
| University of Chicago IL | 95% | $12,850 |
| Colby College ME | 90% | $12,073 |
| University of Pennsylvania PA | 97% | $11,665 |
| Harvard University MA | 97% | $11,456 |
| Wake Forest University NC | 91% | $11,359 |
| Washington University in St Louis MO | 94% | $10,460 |
| California Institute of Technology CA | 93% | $10,015 |
| New York University NY | 89% | $9,777 |
Sources: IPEDS Graduation Rates 2023 (GBA6RTT), Fall Enrollment 2023 (retention), SFA 2022-23.
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