When searching for colleges, do you have your DC look @ graduation rates?

[Carmen_and_Company]

I was just wondering, as Taz stated that a large number of students who started with him transferred or dropped out, which made me think about whether I should have Storm take progresion/graduation rates into consideration when she begins looking at schools in oh, 3 years.

 

I found information that shows that Taz's school graduates only 55.6% students within four years, and a dismal 71% in seven years along with a transfer rate shy of 21%. We cannot complain much, as the University of Minnesota graduates only 36.9 of any given class within 4 years, and 63% within 6 years.

 

What's the graduation/progression rates at your child's college/university?

[Jane in NC]

Does Taz attend an engineering school with a co-op program? These schools have graduation rates beyond four years but students can graduate with less debt and job experience on their resumes.

 

But to answer your question, I studied the IPEDS federal statistics web site when my son was determining his list. I claim to hate statistics, but I spent hours combing through them last fall.

 

Jane

[Kareni]

Here is the web address of IPEDS that Jane mentioned above.

 

My daughter's college lists a graduation rate of 81% (four year) and 86% (six year) with a transfer-out rate of 3%. Also 90% of students returned for their sophomore year.

 

We did look at graduation rates prior to my daughter submitting applications; however, that was only one of many factors we considered.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[KnitWit]

Yes, we did. I questioned each school on the *final list* and received satisfactory explanations. Since my daughter knows *exactly* what she is going for, this was *less* a factor for us than finding the *perfect fit* program.

 

I think some of the graduation rate issues are kids who go because *it's the thing to do* and then just can't figure it out, get frustrated and leave. kwim? Also, a few of our school choices were Christian Colleges and well...let's face it, I think some of them went to find a mate, found one and got married without finishing! LOL!

[Halftime Hope]

they can mean a lot or not much at all.

 

At MSPolly's dd's most likely school, there are four or five adult campuses for continuing education students, so that school's grad rate is comparatively low for a good reason.

 

A couple of very well-regarded LACs that we looked at have very high retention and graduation rates, but for one that I am very well acquainted with, I would guess that retention rates are boosted in part by this school having *very* high familial loyalty rates. It would be unthinkable for a student to go there and drop out if everyone else in the family went, kwim?

 

I agree with MSPolly, it's more about what Storm wants and what *her* likely longevity, due to fit, due to family economics, would be.

 

Finally, what Taz is experiencing is probably exacerbated by the economy. The LACs we are talking to are openly acknowledging that students are a valuable commodity, while the CC where ds is taking classes has never been busier.

[creekland]

 

I agree with MSPolly, it's more about what Storm wants and what *her* likely longevity, due to fit, due to family economics, would be.

 

 

 

:iagree: with the rest of you. We did consider graduation and retention rates, but in the end, what was most important to us was a good department in my son's desired major as well as the school being a fit for him academically and lifestyle-wise. Then, the last deciding factor was $$.

 

Graduation and retention rates became a non-issue. I'd list them here, but to be honest, I have 3 different sets of numbers roaming in my brain and can't remember which one belonged to the school he's going to. I'm too lazy to look it up again. I know there were schools we considered with higher rates, but they simply didn't have as good of a program in what he was looking for. It doesn't help if people like it there, but one doesn't get the education one is looking for.

[In The Great White North]

Even more interesting would be the reason for not graduating after four years. Do they publicize those anywhere?

 

The worst one I heard was a mandatory, introductory class that was "full" when the student registered eight semesters in a row and they expected him to return for year 5 just for this one course (with no guarantee he'd get in it that year either.)

 

That's an entirely different situation than a student having financial difficulties or a radical change of heart.

[KnitWit]

Even more interesting would be the reason for not graduating after four years. Do they publicize those anywhere?

 

The worst one I heard was a mandatory, introductory class that was "full" when the student registered eight semesters in a row and they expected him to return for year 5 just for this one course (with no guarantee he'd get in it that year either.)

 

That's an entirely different situation than a student having financial difficulties or a radical change of heart.

 

I had THREE state schools tell me that it is rare to graduate in four years only. Most are 5 or SIX!! I was told the same thing, class availability, as well as graduation being put off due to *study abroad* programs, which they were HEAVILY pushing on my dd. What I found interesting is all the great grant/scholarship $$ she was offered by one school, which amounted to pretty much a full ride, SPECIFICALLY stated it was for FOUR years ONLY.

 

It has DEFINITELY been an eye-opening process for us!

[Halftime Hope]

a mandatory, introductory class that was "full" when the student registered eight semesters in a row

 

One of the many reasons to pursue the honors program at the state university near us is that the honors program students register for classes before anyone else on campus. No kidding! That's a huge perk! With that opportunity, dd could almost certainly graduate in 3 years plus a summer or two January terms.

[MomsintheGarden]

One of the many reasons to pursue the honors program at the state university near us is that the honors program students register for classes before anyone else on campus. No kidding! That's a huge perk! With that opportunity, dd could almost certainly graduate in 3 years plus a summer or two January terms.

 

To us, this is the best thing about our son being in honors at a large state uni. Honors students register for classes at the same time as all the other students, but get first priority after the athletes (who must schedule around games and practices). He is pretty much assured of getting whatever class and professor he wants, as long as he's met the prereqs. It is a huge benefit!

 

GardenMom

[Jane in NC]

I had THREE state schools tell me that it is rare to graduate in four years only. Most are 5 or SIX!! I was told the same thing, class availability, as well as graduation being put off due to *study abroad* programs, which they were HEAVILY pushing on my dd. What I found interesting is all the great grant/scholarship $$ she was offered by one school, which amounted to pretty much a full ride, SPECIFICALLY stated it was for FOUR years ONLY.

 

It has DEFINITELY been an eye-opening process for us!

 

This is actually part of the sales pitch at some of the LACs now, i.e. that parents should really be comparing 4 times x versus 5 times y at state unis. Granted 5y is still less than 4x, but often the cost of the highly popular international study programs is included in the 4x but not the 5y.

 

Jane

[KnitWit]

Yes, the school my daughter is most likely going to attend (LAC) has also guaranteed availability of classes and such for a 4 year graduation....however, her very nice music/merit scholarship, which totals 80% of tuition is written for up to 5 years. I appreciate that they are committed to 4, but provide that cushion.

 

Odd though, compared to the state school that pretty much told us upfront don't count on four years *at all*...and wrote everything specifically for four years only.

 

LOL!

[Janice H]

I've been wondering about this. Now I feel a bit better armed (and alarmed by the example of a student being locked out for 8 semesters). This is an important topic for dd to discuss during interviews next year.

[KnitWit]

Be prepared to *rephrase* your questions a few times. LOL! Especially with the state schools. Every time we left one, we'd feel like we'd been to a PEP RALLY! LOL! I mean, shoot, *I* wanted to go after hearing their hard sell! LOL!

[TravelingChris]

Yes, I do and along with that, how many students come back for the sophomore year. That said, I haven't run into a school with anything less than in the 60's for the graduation rate. One school that has that I understand since it is a unique environment and very small so not for everyone. ANother school she is looking at, I am not understanding why it is so. I wonder if the support for students isn't there. ONe of the schools that currently is highest on her list has an extremely high return rate (91%) and graduation rate (87%). That seems like students are happy there and must be well supported. Since dd only has a four year scholarship, being able to get the degree in four years is a large selling point.

[mcconnellboys]

Yes! Tons of big state schools now days just run through a ton of freshmen and sophomores (collecting all that PELL grant money, etc.), but their graduation rates are abysmal. I read an article about it last year. Four year graduation rates are also abysmal for many schools. And don't think that's just because kids are goofing off. Lots of schools don't offer the classes kids need often enough for them to graduate on time....