Education Commons^™

Retention Of Most-At-Risk Entering Students At A Four Year College, Hari P. Koirala, Marsha J. Davis, Carmen R. Cid

NERA Conference Proceedings 2010

The literature on retention and graduation of college students suggests that institutions that serve higher proportions of at-risk students, such as low-income, first-generation, and minority students, have generally lower four-year and six-year graduation rates. Using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, this study focused on the retention of students from first to second year and from second to third year at a four-year college. Consistent with the literature, it was found that a disproportionately higher percentage of the at-risk students are likely to leave college without graduating. This study adds to the literature by providing specific information about factors that …