What are the colleges with the highest dropout rates?

I'm starting to feel the pressure about where to apply and I'd like to avoid colleges with high dropout rates. What are some universities that are known for this? And what factors contribute to students most likely to drop out?

There are a variety of universities that unfortunately do see higher rates of student dropout, often due to factors such as financial struggles, lack of academic preparation, or feeling out of place socially or academically.

Some U.S. universities with high dropout rates, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, include the Southern University at New Orleans, University of the District of Columbia, and Harris-Stowe State University. Large public institutions can also have high dropout rates due to the challenges of large class sizes and less individualized attention.

Degrees in rigorous or challenging fields, such as engineering or pre-med, can also sometimes see high dropout rates due to academic difficulty. Students may also struggle with financial aid, where rising tuition costs or logistical challenges with aid offices can affect their ability to continue their studies.

It's also not uncommon for students to start at a four-year institution and then realize they prefer a smaller, more intimate setting like a community college. Others may not feel socially integrated or struggle with mental health, which can also contribute to dropout rates.

Given the factors I mentioned, when determining whether or not a college will be a good fit for you, try to consider the academic rigor, the support available for students (such as mental health services, tutoring, or counseling), the size and structure of the classes, and how comfortable you would feel in the potential social environment. This can help avoid the possibility of dropping out. When looking at a school's dropout rate, it's also worth looking at their retention rate, or the percentage of a school's first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue at that school the next year. The higher the retention rate, the more likely students find the school a good fit.