Indicator: 36 - College/Univeristy Retention
Why This Is Important
Positive student experiences in postsecondary education are vital
for Maine’s long-term economic growth and for fulfilling the
aspirations of Maine’s young people. In order to promote an educated
workforce, it is not only important that Maine students go on to
post-secondary schooling, but that they stay in school and complete
their studies.
Where We Stand
Student retention data is not currently collected for reporting
purposes on a statewide level. However, the National Center for
Public Policy and Higher Education reports some relevant information
in its 2000 and 2002 reports, Measuring Up: The State-By-State
Report Card for Higher Education.
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According to the 2002 report, 63% of first year
community college/technical college students in Maine returned
for their second year (down from 65% in the 2000 edition). Maine
has been a top-performing state on this measure (second in 2000,
tied for second in 2002).
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The 2000 and 2002 reports both showed that 76%
of freshmen in four-year colleges/ universities returned their
sophomore year (tying Maine for 23rd among the states).
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The 2002 report card noted that 56% of the
first-time, full-time students completed a bachelor’s degree
within five years of finishing high school (down from 60% in the
2000 edition). Maine tied for thirteenth among the states in
2002 on this indicator, and eighth in 2000.
Data Sources and Context
The Measuring Up report cards (published every two years)
use numerous statistical indicators to analyze six dimensions of
state performance in post-secondary education. The data reported
above came from unpublished analyses of data from the “Institutional
Data Questionnaire,” a national survey of post-secondary
institutions conducted by the ACT.
The Measuring Up reports can be found on-line at
http://measuringup.highereducation.org.
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