<p>Mini once told me that looking at the percentage receiving Pell grants was a good way to put grad. rates in context. The other day I stumbled across the Pell grant percentage from 2001 and was shocked to see it was something like 35.7% (definitely 35% but I cant remember the decimel.! Is this a high number or just average?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>High or average...compared to what?</p>
<p>yes, it is high, but its all relative to the type of school. For example, I would guess that Pell Grantees are high at community colleges, since many kids go there for income reasons. </p>
<p>The UC's have ~33% Pell Grantees across all campuses. In contrast, UVa is only ~8%, which is up from 6% only a few years ago. USC has approximately 33% as well, which is the highest number of poor kids of the privates Unis - by far.</p>
<p>Public flagship state u. but in a traditionally "poor" state.</p>
<p>All contextual of course, but, in general, you will see six-year graduation rates inversely related to Pell Grants (sub-$40k incomes), and near-Pell Grant status ($40-$60k incomes.) That is, you would expect UVA and William and Mary to have the highest graduation rates (by far), and other schools with Pell Grants rates quadruple or more those of UVA/WM to have much lower graduation rates.</p>
<p>The single most common reason that folks do not graduate is income/family situation/family health. Many folks are one paycheck away from homelessness, and the extra income may be needed at home. </p>
<p>Ethnicity comes to the fore as well, but mostly, it seems, because minority status is also a marker for low assets (that is, folks with low income might still be okay if they had enough assets to tie them over the bumps.)</p>