<p>This may be “one” interesting reason kids drop out, but I think the biggest issues with students leaving state colleges (in my experience–observing kids I know and teaching at a state college) are: #1 being under-qualified for college (kids with marginal stats who take remedial classes and flunk out), and #2 financial problems. Many state schools have barely a 40% graduation rate–many even in the 10%/4yr - 30%/6year range. Most of the schools’ students are average and below-average students. The over-qualified students have a much higher than average graduation rate for the schools they are attending. If admins really want to improve graduation rates, they should look at the biggest problem–admitting UNDER-qualified students who have an 80-90% dropout rate. (School is happy to take their $ for a year or two anyway?)<br>
Besides, why would the state colleges want their best students to go elsewhere–if they all leave for their “match” schools, the state colleges will have even lower graduation rates.
The same information could have the title “Highly qualified students at state colleges are more likely to graduate than less qualified students.” It’s all in how you look at it.</p>
<p>Who are the “peers” of these students–their classmates at state u. or those with similar stats who go to small private colleges? They have something in common with both groups, but you can’t really compare them. You can’t even compare top competitive flagships with 60-80% graduation rates (more like private schools) to most 2nd tier publics with 30% grad rates.</p>
<p>Other issues: Many “over-qualified” students choose state colleges to save money. They are more likely to come from poor families, less likely to have family support, more likely to drop out.
State schools have many non-traditional students–working people, single parents, etc. who have other personal issues that increase their dropout rate. Also, large schools give less individual support than small schools. At big state U’s, when they say, “You’re just a number,” that’s pretty much true. No one really cares if “you” drop out, because there is always another student to fill your seat. There is less positive peer pressure to stay in school when half your classmates are dropping out.</p>