Low 4 year graduation rates at most SUNY schools. why?

<p>I was wondering if anyone who might already have a son or daughter at one of the SUNYs might have an idea why the 4 year graduation rate is under 50% in most SUNYs. The only exceptions that I know of are Binghamton and Geneseo. </p>

<p>I have heard that availability of courses might be a cause, switching majors, lack of advisors.... it freaks me out when college list their SIX year graduation rate, my budget will be very tight doing 4 years.</p>

<p>My son has applied to several SUNYs so I'm eager to know. thxs!</p>

<p>Actually a lot of SUNYS take 3,4 and 5 for AP credit and with a summer course or extra credits, students can save $ and graduate in 3 or 3.5 years. My daughter and most of her friends did this. She didn’t know a lot of kids who dropped out.</p>

<p>I think many are kids local to a campus/commuters who find many reasons to leave. The cost of tuition only at SUNYs may contribute also. Some of the campuses, Oswego, guarantee a 4 year grad or additional needed courses are free. Search for the Oswego guarantee</p>

<p>I believe U Buffalo is also starting the 4 year grad guarantee. google it.
SUNY seems generous with AP credits (son went in with 45 credits). If you stay on track and take a minimum of 15 credits a semester, there is no reason not to graduate on time. Also, you can take gen ed classes over the summer (son did this to get them out of the way). He took them online from Erie community college and SUNY Farmingdale. There is a program (Taurus I think) which lets you know what you can take and transfer.) Not a bad idea to do this before freshman yr or between fresh and soph. Son had enough credits to graduate (over 120) by the end of his sophomore year.</p>