Advertisement

News, Views and Careers for All of Higher Education

Students Who Don’t Stay Put

A new study shows the extent to which undergraduates are less likely to have any single institution that is alma mater.

Related stories

Of students who received a bachelor’s degree in 1999-2000, 59 percent had attended more than one institution, according to the report, from the National Center for Education Statistics. Bachelor’s candidates who started at community colleges, of course, have always attended more than one institution. But the report notes that the multiple-institution trend has become quite strong among students who start at four-year institutions. Among such students, 47 percent of those who graduated in 1999-2000 had attended more than one institution.

Students who attend more than one institution don’t necessarily transfer, the report says. A growing number of students “co-enroll” — or take classes at multiple institutions, without necessarily leaving the institution at which they first enrolled. Nearly 11 percent of students who first enrolled in 1995-96 co-enrolled at some point in their college educations. The percentage was highest — 13 percent — for students who first enrolled at private colleges.

The report also found that transfers do not necessarily take place only once during a college career. Of the cohort of students who started in 1995-96, 25.9 percent transferred once, 5.7 percent twice and 0.5 percent three times.

The authors of the report write that it is important for colleges to pay attention to these trends because of correlations between some of these trends and completion rates. For example, of students who started at four-year institutions in 1995-96, those who never transferred were much more likely to have earned a degree or certificate within six years (72 percent) than those who transferred (45 percent).

And attending multiple institutions slows down degree completion. Of those who obtained bachelor’s degrees in 1999-2000 and who started out at community colleges, those who attended just two institutions took an average of 8 years to earn a bachelor’s, while those who attended more than two took an average of 11 years.

Of those who started at public four-year institutions, those who stayed at one institution earned their bachelor’s in an average of 5 years, while those who attended two institutions had an average of 6 years, and those who attended more than two institutions took an average of 10 years. Of those who started at private four-year colleges, the figures are four, five, and nine years, respectively.

Scott Jaschik

Got something to say?


Want it on paper? Print this page.
Know someone who’d be interested? Forward this story.
Want to stay informed? Sign up for free daily news e-mail.

Advertisement

Comments

There currently are no comments on this item.

Advertisement

 Jobs Related to Students Who Don't Stay Put

or search for jobs directly.

Assistant Provost for Academic Services
Wittenberg University

Wittenberg University invites applications for the position of Assistant Provost for Academic Services. see job

Academic Advisor
Drexel University

The Westphal College invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Academic Advisor which is part of the Office ... see job

Academic Advisor for the Pathways Program
San Juan College

Requisition Number: 2962 Number of Positions: 1 Full or Part-Time: Full Time; 12 Month Professional; Grant Funded Wage: ... see job

College Director of Career Services
Western Career College

We are looking for management professionals with a strong background in student placement and a desire to help students put ... see job

Part-Time Online Facilitator for SSEM Online Masters Program (PL)
Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University, located in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky near the Heart of the Bluegrass, is a ... see job

Assistant Director for Cstep and Academic Programs
Ithaca College

Job Description: Full-time position available to coordinate and administer the NYS Collegiate Science and ... see job

Academic Advisor II, Student Services
Lone Star College System

Located just north of Houston, Texas, our five campuses serve 1,400 square miles. Our student enrollment is nearly 50,000 in ... see job

Part-Time Counselor II, Disability & Career Specialist
Lone Star College System

Located just north of Houston, Texas, our five campuses serve 1,400 square miles. Our student enrollment is nearly 50,000 in ... see job

Program Manager/Teacher Certification Programs
Drexel University

The Program Manager will assist the Program Director in the continued development and operation of the Bachelor of Science in ... see job

Career Consultant
University of Georgia

Job Summary This is a position in which the incumbent performs duties associated with professional career ... see job