Why American college students aren't 'Crossing the Finish Line'
A book out today called "Crossing the Finish Line: Completing College at America's Public Universities" explores college completion rates in America and why so many students who start college fail to finish.
According to authors William Bowen, Matthew Chingos and Michael McPherson, some data suggests fewer than six in 10 American students who enter college earn a bachelor's degree.
Inside Higher Ed has an in-depth article here.
The AP delves into the research here.
A New York Times columnist puts his spin on the research here and mentions the University of Michigan.
Around Michigan, according to the Web site College Results Online, the graduation rate at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus is 88 percent; at Michigan State, it's 74 percent; and at Wayne State University, 32 percent.
At Eastern Michigan, 39 percent of students entering college earn a bachelor's degree; at Western Michigan University, 54 percent; and at Central Michigan University, 57 percent.
Comments
catfishrisin
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 2:36 p.m.
Reflects the quality of student admitted in the first place..."garbage in garbage out" as the saying goes
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 9:31 a.m.
It always amazes me that so many well-off people think applying for aid is no big deal. I was the first and only kid in my upper lower-class family to apply to a university, ever. It was the most intimidating thing I've ever done. Luckily for me, I managed to get into UofM, but I went into the process knowing that 1) I was going to have to pay for it myself, 2) there was absolutely no point in applying to a private or out of state school, even though I probably would have been accepted at some other great schools, and 3) if anything went wrong, I would be walking out with large debts and not much income to show for the wasted time. The assurances you read in the media to "just apply and the financial aid will be there" struck me then, and mostly still now, as either outright lies or a twisted joke. I learned that the US upper-level education system is mostly there to perpetuate class divides. The findings above fit that perception well.
linuxtuxguy
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.
I wonder how many of those who didn't get a bachelors ended up getting an Associates (and only wanted that much from the start) rather than dropping out entirely with nothing.