Failing Students: ‘Time is the Enemy’

A report released this week reveals poor graduation rates at public universities—especially for part-time, poor, and minority college students.

The report [PDF], by Complete College America, concludes that the longer students remain in college, the lower their chances become of completing a degree. The authors of the report, provocatively titled “Time Is The Enemy,” also argue that non-traditional students are the new majority, that students are wiling away time on unnecessary courses, and that remedial classes are failing the neediest students.

Slightly more than 60 percent of full-time students complete a four-year bachelor's degree program within eight years, according to the report, compared to just 24.3 percent of part-time students.

Researchers also found that 75 percent of respondents were commuting to school, and released an infographic that tracks graduation data by state.

“More students are working, and they are working more hours than ever before,” reads the report. “Many can afford to attend only part-time, extending the years until they graduate. More come to our campuses underprepared for college—and then get trapped in broken remedial approaches that don’t help, as time keeps slipping away.”

The report analyzed National Governors Association Common Completion Metrics graduation data provided by 33 states. The authors are critical of states which chose not to release data for part-time and returning students.

“Surprisingly, until this report, no one has bothered to measure and report the success or failure of all U.S. college students,” reads the report. “We’ve been tracking only students who are first-time and are going full-time. That’s all the federal government requires of colleges and universities, and until now few exceeded this minimal standard.”

Among students aged 25 and older, just 27 percent graduate with a four-year degree within six years–and for part-time students in that age group, the rate is just 10.6 percent. Low-income students fared almost as poorly, with only 17.3 percent of part-time Pell Grant recipients earning degrees within that time frame.

“States must get serious that graduation, not just enrollment, is the goal,” reads the report. “Showing up isn’t enough.”

The authors also recommend that some portion of public colleges' funding be based on graduation rates.

The report also reveals troubling trends among poor students and students of color.

Researchers found that within six years of study, fewer than 40 percent of full-time African American students graduate with a four-year degree, and just 14.5 percent of part-time students graduate. Hispanic students are doing slightly better, with 46.5 percent of full-time and 16.7 percent of part-time students earning bachelor's degrees within six years.

“Given changing demographics, the success of these students is critical, or our country will simply not be economically competitive,” reads the report.

Complete College America is a nonprofit which works to increase graduation rates in the United States. The organization was established in 2009.

Jon Christian is a staff writer with Campus Progress. Follow him on Twitter @Jon_Christian.

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