Hey all. Just got to thinking,.. which colleges are most known for students not finishing their degrees? I'd like to avoid those, obviously. Thanks!
It's an excellent strategy to examine graduation rates in choosing a college; it can give insight into the satisfaction and success of the student body. While I can't give you an exhaustive list, there are a few broad trends and some specific examples.
First, let's understand what influences these rates. Lower graduation rates often correlate with larger public universities and community colleges. That's not because these institutions provide substandard education - many offer excellent programs - but the statistics can be influenced by many factors such as institutional resources, the proportion of non-traditional or part-time students, and economic factors. Additionally, the rates can be low due to the mission of community colleges, which serve many students who aren't aiming at a four-year degree.
Having said that, some examples of the institutions with lower graduation rates according to the National Center for Education Statistics include Southern University at New Orleans, Montana State University-Northern, and Harris-Stowe State University. However, this only paints part of the picture. Students may transfer from these institutions to others and still eventually graduate, which isn't accounted for in traditional graduation rates.
It's important when you're researching schools not to rely solely on one statistic but to understand what the statistic means and how it fits into your views of what you want from a college. If a school has a lower graduation rate, find out why that is and think about if those conditions apply to you. It's also good practice to check out student reviews and seek the advice of a high school counselor or education consultant to better understand specific colleges.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.