Money talks. It’s an old adage, but it rings true even when it comes to college graduation rates.
A new study from Oregon State University found that both the socioeconomic status of a college’s student body and the school’s own revenue and expenditures are significant predictors in whether first-time students will complete their degree and graduate within six years.
Researchers focused solely on four-year broad access institutions, which are colleges and universities that accept 80 percent or more of their applicants.
“For those students, resources really matter, in a way that is different from the population as a whole,” Gloria Crisp, the study’s lead author, said. “That finding is consistent with the persistent inequities in college completion rates for these underserved populations.”
Continue reading Study: Economic Factors Influence College Graduation Rates
Many of us working with students in the college search and selection process struggle to help families understand college affordability. While most students will not pay the full cost of attendance, many will use sticker price to eliminate colleges from their list before they have the chance to weigh financial aid packages and scholarship offers.
