Posts published on May 11, 2010

College Completion Rate Declines For Younger Ages

Young adults are less likely to have earned a degree than their older counterparts, according to a Brookings Institution report based on Census data. Though the percent of adults with a baccalaureate degree rose from 24 to 28 from 2000 to 2008, a smaller percentage of 25-to-34 year-olds than 35-to-44 year-olds held one in 2008. The reverse was true in 2000. The report focuses primarily on demographic trends in the country’s 100 largest metropolitan areas. It highlights the probable de-skilling of USA as the older generations retire from the workforce, unless there are major changes in policy and institutional incentives for completion. Currently, colleges are paid by the state for enrollment ,but not completion.

Four Questions Students Should Ask Broad Access Colleges

 Most  broad access 2 and 4 year colleges have low completion rates and constraints on enrolling in courses students need. Their student services are often underfunded and ineffective.  Here are 4 crucial questions from the Lumina Foundation before deciding to enroll at such colleges.

 What is the college’s graduation rate for stdents like me?

What  trouble spots am I likely to encounter in this major or course of study?

What sort of help can this college offer if I do encounter trouble?

Are graduates of this college getting good jobs?