Commonwealth University’s four-year graduation rate staggers at 43.2%, according to a Commonwealth University report. For comparison, the U.S. average four-year graduation rate is 87%.

This shows that some students either do not graduate on time or drop out, either based on their preferences or the inability to pay for college. The four-year graduation rate of Underrepresented Minorities (URM) has an even lower graduation rate of 25.9%. 

Bloomsburg student, Emma Herman, could not afford to come back to attend classes in the spring 2025 semester. 

“If I don’t get enough money, well, either I would have to borrow some from a family member or not come back,” Herman said.

Herman was unable to afford the tuition after being told a week before winter break ended that she was unable to get a loan due to her lack of credit, unsteady credit score, and has to find a way to pay for the 2025 fall semester either by having a family member co-sign or finding a job to pay. 

After discussing with the Dean of Students of Bloomsburg University, George Rusczyk, she is able to take a leave of absence this semester and come back for the fall semester as long as she is able to pay her tuition. 

Some students graduate in six years for their master’s, which has decreased -1.1% since 2017-18. 

Fall Undergraduate Full-Time Equivalent or FTE (All Credit Bearing), is an estimation of how many students would be enrolled full-time if all students were enrolled full-time. Over the last two years, FTE has decreased from 9,720 in 2022-23 to 9,189 in 2023-24, a 531 drop.