<p>Is it generally this way? Or is this a myth?</p>
<p>Well, it's more a matter of statistics and how public and private universities operate. Large public universities generally do have lower graduation rates compared to private schools. One reason for this occurence is that public schools generally accept a whole lot more students, so it's going to be more likely that there will be students who drop out. Plus, large public universities don't have the resources to give each student a lot of attention, so it's more difficult to make sure that a student is getting along all right. Also, most private universities often have admission committees that thorougly review applicants, which means it will be easier to filter out students who might not take college too seriously. On the other hand, many large public universities have a numbers-based admissions process that doesn't really take a close look at applicants.</p>
<p>I believe the main difference is limiting of higher level classes at publics. Their game is to admit, divert or exit, to accomodate the low number of seats in higher level classes thus always thinning out before you get to the classes. Privates on the other hand want to keep students and have them finish even if it is in a different major.</p>
<p>Many more students at publics are really working and putting themselves through college. 9-12 credits are plenty when you are working 20-40 hours a week too.</p>
<p>you guys are kidding me right? if any of you guys end up getting an education minor, you'll quickly understand that it is YOU who determines whether or not you graduate, not whether your school is public or private. in the case that you are such a horrible student and on the verge of failing, then that is when a private school is advantageous, because the counselors will come to you instead of vice versa for publics.</p>
<p>cool0215 - This is something I haven't seen too much on the boards, but it is easier to graduate from a private university in FOUR years than at a public u. Several of my co-workers kids were at publics and they had to take classes in the summer in order to graduate in four years. My boss' daughter couldn't get into the classes she needed to take in order to graduate. He told her he was only paying for four years and that they better get her into the two classes she needed. She told the college that and they told her that most kids today graduate in five years! In fact at several private u's they made a huge deal about getting your child out the door in the four year plan. </p>
<p>That is one reason we took a chance and will be paying a little more to send my son to a private where he can get his master's degree in five years. NOTE: If you are in an Honor's Program at a public some of them let you schedule your classes before all the other students which is a plus.</p>
<p>Thank you. And since this topic isn't seen too much on the boards, I was just eager to know about it. But for example, wouldn't Cornell be harder to graduate than UMichigan? (very tough private vs. easier public)
Or are we comparing publics and privates at the similar academic level regarding graduation easiness?</p>
<p>Several things go into "ease of graduation" which I take to mean actually gradiating, and graduating in a timely manner.</p>
<p>Naturally the main part is not failing classes, staying off academic probation, paying attention to rules and regulations. I guess from that standpoint, a non-selective college may make it easier to get good grades. But that's a very small part of it. People don't juast get into academic trouble because things are too hard. They get into academic trouble because they don't attend class, do readings, turn in assignments. And that happens at non-selective public schools, too.</p>
<p>What the college offers also falls into play. The best, most motivated student in the world could still have trouble graduating if the colleges doesn't allocate resources right. A college must offer:</p>
<p>--adequate financial aid for your entire enrollment
--good academic advising in choosing courses and majors
--sufficient course availability
--tuturing and assistance when you need it</p>
<p>When a school has a low graduation rate, it's hard to know whether that's a result of student behavior, lack of resource listed above, or both. Probably a combination. Same with schools with a high graduation rate.</p>