College Completion Rates on the Rise A Positive Shift for Higher Education
College completion rates are improving across the United States, with more students finishing their degrees within six years. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC), this upward trend is due to fewer students dropping out. Here’s an in-depth look at the findings, the reasons behind the improvement, and what it means for the future of higher education.
Higher College Completion Rates: A Closer Look
The NSCRC’s latest report reveals that 61.1% of students who started college in 2018 completed their degrees within six years.
- Yearly Progress: This is a 0.5% improvement over the 2017 cohort, making it the highest six-year completion rate recorded in 12 years of tracking.
- Eight-Year Completion Rates: Students who began college in 2016 also achieved the highest eight-year completion rate among tracked cohorts, at 64.7%.
These findings are part of NSCRC’s new “Yearly Progress and Completion” report, which combines data from earlier reports to offer a more detailed analysis of student success.
Why Are College Completion Rates Improving?
Several factors contribute to this positive trend:
1. Fewer Dropouts
- Students are staying enrolled longer, resulting in more completing their degrees within six years.
- Colleges and universities have focused on retention strategies, such as offering better advising and financial support.
2. Impact of Dual Enrollment
- What Is Dual Enrollment? Students earn college credit while still in high school.
- Boost in Success: 71% of 2018 students with dual-enrollment experience graduated within six years, compared to 57.4% of those without it.
- Across Demographics: Dual enrollment has positively affected all racial and income groups, particularly benefiting low-income students.
3. Focused Support for Underrepresented Groups
- Black, Hispanic, and mixed-race students have seen notable gains in six-year completion rates over the past decade.
- For example, Black students’ completion rates rose nearly seven percentage points from the 2011 to the 2018 cohorts.
The Role of Income in Completion Rates
Income continues to be a major predictor of college success.
- High-Income Students Lead: In 2018, 76% of students from the highest-income neighborhoods graduated in six years.
- Low-Income Progress: For the same cohort, 48% of students from the lowest-income neighborhoods completed their degrees, an improvement from earlier years.
- Bridging the Gap: While disparities remain, progress is being made to narrow the completion gap between high- and low-income students.
Community Colleges and Dual Enrollment
Community colleges have played a significant role in improving completion rates.
- Steady Gains: Six-year completion rates for community college students increased from 37% in 2007 to 43.4% in 2018.
- Dual Enrollment’s Role: Community colleges have long embraced dual-enrollment programs, helping students complete their degrees faster.
To further improve, experts recommend expanding dual-enrollment opportunities in high schools with low college-going rates.
Preparing for the Future Challenges and Opportunities
While the data shows progress, challenges remain:
1. COVID-19’s Impact
- The pandemic caused massive disruptions in education, with enrollment drops affecting students who began college in 2020 and beyond.
- Future reports may reveal how these disruptions have influenced six- and eight-year graduation rates.
2. Expanding Proven Strategies
- Guided Pathways: Programs that help students choose clear academic and career paths can improve completion rates.
- Early Major Declaration: Encouraging students to declare a major early helps them stay focused and graduate on time.
- Support Systems: Providing financial aid, academic advising, and basic needs support remains crucial.
3. Workforce Readiness
- Ensuring students graduate on time equips them to join an educated workforce, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals.
A Hopeful Trend for Higher Education
The rise in college completion rates is a bright spot for the education sector, especially as institutions work to recover from pandemic-related challenges. Programs like dual enrollment and targeted support for underrepresented groups are proving effective, but ongoing efforts are needed to sustain this momentum.
