Indicator: 37 - College/University Completion

Why This Is Important

The Maine Marks developers believe strongly that completion of a post-secondary education
program is vital for Maine's long-term economic growth and for fulfilling the aspirations of
Maine's young people.

 

 

Where We Stand

Compared with other states, a very large percentage (76%) of freshmen at four-year
colleges and universities return for their sophomore year. Likewise, a very large percentage
of first-time, full-time college students complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of
enrolling in college. Only a fair proportion of students complete certificates and degrees
relative to the number enrolled. Over the past decade, the percentage of freshmen at four-year
colleges and universities returning for their sophomore year has declined. Although Maine has
been one of the fastest declining states on this measure, its current performance still ranks as
very good relative to other states.

 

Data Sources and Context

Data is taken from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education Measuring
Up 2004. This source consists of a national report card for higher education and fifty state
report cards. Its purpose is to provide the public and policymakers with information to assess
and improve post-secondary education in each state. Measuring Up 2004 is the third in a
series of biennial report cards. In this report card, "higher education" refers to all education
and training beyond high school, including all public and private, two- and four-year, for-profit
and nonprofit institutions. For more information, see the website at: http://measuringup.highereducation.org/about.cfm.