<p>As my D and I continue to consider between Furman and UGA and whether the substantial four year price difference (approx. $100k) is a worthwhile investment, we came across an interesting statistic.</p>
<p>4 year graduation rates </p>
<p>Furman 81%
UGA 49.2%</p>
<p>(source: *****************)</p>
<p>I am curious as to the reasons for such a significant difference. Is it the availability of required courses. Does it take more time to "Party" at the #1 party school so an undergraduate load needs to be spread out longer (sorry for the sarcasm, but I am just trying to spark debate). </p>
<p>This statistic partially overcame some initially apparent cost savings in going to UGA. There is also the fact that you are spending additional years of your life in school. If thats what floats your boat then I guess that would be a plus, but as for me I was ready to move on.</p>
<p>Any insight as to why there is such a difference and how significant this statistic is would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I think you may have old data, as the rate shown on the OIR site at UGA shows a 55.2% grad rate for 4 yrs. In addition, this jumps to about 80% for 5 years, and my guess is that a number of those are 4.5 yr grads who took an extra semester as they could keep HOPE and take a lighter load, and have 1 more fall term of football tickets.</p>
<p>Hit submit before complete. A number of students and parents are okay with a slightly lighter load and grad in 4.5 years with HOPE paying for most everything (although that will change some now!), where at a private inst., 1 more term is much more expensive, so the desire to get out in 4 is much more serious.</p>
<p>GADawg has valid points and keep in mind there are many other factors that skew the 4-yr graduation rate. Off the top of my head, here are a few other things to consider: athletes who redshirt and take a 5th year of eligibility; majors that require more than 120 credit hours; and HOPE paying for more than 4 years of school.</p>
<p>I think it’s a little unfair to compare graduation rates among public and private schools, especially when there is a huge cost differential. Because the cost to attend UGA for an additional year is essentially the cost of room, board, and fees (if you have HOPE), there’s a lot less pressure on UGA students to graduate in 3 or 4 years.</p>
<p>IMO a better measure of student success would be the 6-year graduation rate. Using that, UGA has one of the best rates among public universities – 78% – and is comparable to private schools like Furman – 86%.</p>
<p>On another note, UGA is one of the most generous schools in the country with respect to SATII and AP credit. Many folks I know come in with at least 20 hours and most have at least 10 hours, meaning one less semester is needed. If your S/D is determined to graduate in 4 years, the the biggest barrier is prerequisites and course sequences in some majors (mostly the hard sciences). </p>
<p>If your S/D is concerned about course availability, the only real “problem” school at UGA is SPIA, the School of Public and International Affairs (which includes political science and international affairs majors). SPIA limits students to 2 major courses per semester and requires 9 major courses, which equals 5 semesters right there. Sometimes you can add a 3rd major course if there’s a slot available, but in my (limited) experience there are very few open seats in SPIA courses by the time Reading Day rolls around. There are definitely some ways to work around the red tape in SPIA, though (PM if interested). </p>
<p>If your D/S is interested in anything other than POLS/INTL and is determined to graduate in 4 years, then she’ll definitely be able to do that at UGA. Hope my posts are helpful.</p>
<p>It could also have to do with the opportunites for internships, study abroads, etc. Students could be taking time to do those activities and thus stay in school longer than 4 years.</p>
<p>From US News, the stats of UNC (CH), Furman and UGA are as follows:</p>
<p>Percent graduating in 4 years 74% 81% 51%
Percent graduating in 5 years 86% 85% 77%
Percent graduating in 6 years 87% 86% 81%</p>
<p>I include UNC (CH) as a comparable peer group as a large state U. I do think the HOPE and value you get from UGA takes the a lot of the financial pressure off to graduate in a timely manner. Still, a little troubling in terms of how motivated and serious the overall student body is as it relates to academics. One plus though is that UGA does accept a “3” for AP credit whereas the other schools require a “4” minimum. Since she has a couple of “3s” , this would get her ahead in terms of the core track.</p>
<p>Srockrae, your post motivated me to look up the graduation rates for another school, U. of Florida. This thread has talked a lot about the impact of HOPE on UGA graduation rates, and if we want to compare graduation rates across schools, UF is probably the closest match. Similar academic and social environment, and many UF students also have Bright Futures (essentially Florida’s equivalent of HOPE).</p>
<p>The numbers are almost identical, leading me to believe that lottery funded programs reduce the financial pressure on students to graduate in 4 years. While UF and UGA students pay essentially $0 for tuition per year, UNC-CH students pay about $9000 per year.</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s much I can add to this conversation except to agree that because of HOPE, some students take their time. If school is practically free, why bother rushing when they could stay in school and enjoy the academic bubble for as long as possible before having to enter the real world. </p>
<p>Just speculating, but maybe it also has to do with people changing majors. That could affect if you graduate early or on time. You may also be in multiple programs that could cause you to graduate at different times.</p>
<p>I think if you stick with your major and plan well, there should be very few reasons why you wouldn’t graduate in 4 years. I added a second major halfway through college and am still graduating on time (granted, the two majors are very similar and I also came in already ahead). My roommate added a completely different major (she’s a BS and a BA) and is still graduating on time (no doubt aided by the fact that she came in with hours). I guess I should mention that both of us also did summer classes after our 1st and 2nd years.</p>
<p>If you let us know what program your daughter is interested in and what kind of credit she’ll be coming in with, maybe we might be able to give you a better timetable.</p>