Janice Lozano
Student retention is a key metric of success for universities and students. It measures the number of students who re-enrol at a college or university and stay committed to their degree path. While students are accountable for their own persistence, retention is the responsibility of educational institutions. Universities have a financial interest in retaining students, and high student retention rates should be a consequence of excellent education delivery and culture. Various factors influence student retention, including academic problems, life issues, feeling disconnected, financial reasons, and technological challenges. Universities can improve retention by providing valuable support services, removing financial aid roadblocks, offering flexible learning pathways, and personalising the culture and experience for learners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of student retention | The process of keeping students actively enrolled in their degree program at a college, university, community college, or any other institution of higher learning |
| Who is responsible for student retention | Traditionally, professors or academic affairs. Now, everyone in the institution including students, faculty, retention officers, enrollment management, recruitment, student aid professionals, orientation team, and senior administrators |
| Factors influencing student retention | Academic problems, lack of readiness for studying, test-taking, paper writing, math ability, life issues, feeling disconnected, financial reasons, technological issues, etc. |
| Student retention strategies | Personalized culture and experience for learners, flexible learning pathways, removing financial aid roadblocks, support services, campus-funded tutoring, freshman seminar courses, student clubs, etc. |
| Student retention rates | Year-to-year retention rates, one in four students never complete a degree at their first institution, 50% of students in the undergraduate population work primarily to pay for their education |
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What You'll Learn
Student responsibility
Student retention is a complex issue that intersects with other areas of university administration. While it is the responsibility of the university to provide the right resources and support, students are also accountable for their learning and persistence.
Students who find themselves in a particular institution should have the academic skills needed to cope with the discussion and training at the higher education level. A student’s critical thinking and analytical skills are also important, especially with regard to their chosen program of study. Students need to be self-driven and motivated to complete their studies. They should be able to seek help when needed and make use of the resources provided by the university.
Students should be aware of the tasks and responsibilities ahead of them, and the university should also provide opportunities for them to build, maintain and promote student resources. These may come in the form of study centers, tutors, or other support services that can help students cope and, therefore, improve retention rates. For example, universities can offer campus-funded tutoring, freshman seminar courses, and student clubs to help students get engaged on campus. Additionally, universities can provide financial aid to students who need it and offer flexible learning pathways to help students earn their degrees.
Students should also consider the financial implications of dropping out of university. Incurred education debt without earning a degree is the worst possible outcome. Therefore, students should be mindful of their financial situation and seek assistance if needed.
Overall, while the university plays a crucial role in student retention, students also share the responsibility of persisting and succeeding in their studies by utilizing the resources and support provided by the institution.
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University leadership
University leaders should promote a culture of collaboration and communication among various departments to break down silos and ensure a unified approach to student retention. This involves fostering an environment where information is shared, and resources are combined to provide holistic support for students. For example, academic affairs traditionally bear the responsibility for student retention, but involving other departments such as student services, admissions, and administration can provide additional layers of support for students.
University leaders should also focus on providing valuable support services that address students' academic and personal growth. This includes offering academic resources such as tutoring services, study centres, and freshman seminar courses to improve academic performance and critical thinking skills. Additionally, recognising the financial challenges that students face, leaders can work on removing financial aid roadblocks and providing flexible learning pathways to help students balance their educational and economic responsibilities.
Furthermore, university leaders should strive to create a sense of community and engagement on campus. This can be achieved by encouraging involvement in student clubs and organisations, providing campus-funded tutoring, and offering social activities that foster connections between students and the university. Ensuring that students feel connected to their peers and the university community can increase their motivation to persist in their studies.
Another strategy for university leaders is to leverage technology to enhance the student experience. This involves investing in education technology that improves the delivery of education and provides intuitive systems and efficient helpdesk support. Personalising the culture and experience for learners through technology can significantly impact retention rates.
Lastly, university leaders should continuously evaluate retention rates and interpret the data to develop nuanced strategies. By examining year-to-year retention rates and considering the reasons why students leave, leaders can identify key points in a student's trajectory where additional support and interventions may be necessary. This proactive approach can help universities provide the necessary resources and assistance to prevent dropouts.
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Academic support
One way to provide academic support is through academic advising and mentorship programs. Academic advising can help students with course planning and navigation, as well as connecting them with resources and support services. Florida International University, for example, invested in professional advisors focused on course planning and saw substantial increases in retention and completion rates. Peer mentorship programs can also increase persistence, as seen at Florida Atlantic University, where students who connected with peer mentors persisted at a higher rate than their non-mentored peers. Combining peer mentorship with academic advising and faculty mentorship can further increase persistence, as demonstrated by the University of West Florida.
Writing centers are another important academic support service. Utah State University found that students who used writing center services had a retention rate of 90.6%, compared to 87.6% for those who did not. Writing centers can help students improve their writing skills and provide support for their academic work.
Technology can also be leveraged to increase resources for academic advising. For example, a meeting scheduler tool can make it easy for students to connect with advisors, faculty, or other support staff. Collecting data on key indicators of students who may be struggling, such as poor attendance or low credit earnings, can also help identify at-risk students and provide targeted interventions.
Additionally, community colleges, which often have unique retention challenges due to lower financial investment and shorter time to degree completion, can offer valuable support services that help students academically and personally. Removing financial aid roadblocks, offering flexible learning pathways, and recognizing the balance between school and personal responsibilities can help prevent students from leaving prior to degree attainment.
Overall, academic support plays a crucial role in student retention by providing students with the resources, guidance, and skills they need to succeed academically and feel connected to their institution.
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Student experience
Student retention is a complex issue that involves multiple stakeholders. While students are responsible for their persistence and academic success, educational institutions play a crucial role in creating an environment that promotes retention. This includes providing valuable support services, removing financial aid roadblocks, offering flexible learning pathways, and fostering a positive student experience.
The student experience is a critical aspect of student retention. Students who feel disconnected from their peers, their department, or the university are more likely to drop out. Creating a sense of community and belonging is essential for keeping students engaged and invested in their academic journey. This can be achieved through various support services, student clubs, and campus-funded tutoring, which help students feel supported and connected to their university community.
Additionally, universities should strive to meet the needs and expectations of their students. Today's students expect on-demand digital experiences and personalized communication throughout their student journey. Institutions can utilize technology to deliver education beyond borders and provide personalized messages that address the unique needs of each student. This can help students feel valued and supported, increasing their motivation to persist in their studies.
Furthermore, universities should recognize the diverse backgrounds and responsibilities of their students. For example, working-class students may have limited time to engage in campus life due to their work commitments. Universities can support these students by offering flexible learning pathways, recognizing the balance between school and personal responsibilities, and providing financial aid to reduce the burden of tuition fees.
The student experience is also influenced by their academic skills and preparedness for higher education. Institutions can improve retention by ensuring students are well-equipped with the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for their chosen program. Providing study centers, tutors, and other support services can help students develop these skills and enhance their overall academic performance, increasing their likelihood of persistence.
Overall, creating a positive and supportive student experience requires a collective effort from the university administration, faculty, and support staff. By addressing the diverse needs and expectations of their students, universities can foster a sense of community and belonging, ultimately improving student retention and helping students succeed in their academic journeys.
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Financial considerations
Students also have financial incentives to remain enrolled. Students who drop out of university incur education debt without earning a degree, which can be detrimental to their financial situation. Students who remain enrolled can take advantage of the resources provided by the university to help with financial issues, such as financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Universities that offer robust financial aid packages and transparent information on the cost of attendance tend to have higher retention rates. Additionally, financial literacy programs that educate students on budgeting, managing student loans, and accessing financial resources can reduce financial stress and improve the likelihood of students persisting in their studies.
The availability of financial resources can impact a student's ability to continue their education. Many undergraduate students work to pay for their education, leaving them with little time to engage in university life. High tuition costs and limited financial resources can create barriers to persistence. Students who feel they do not have the financial means to continue their education may be more likely to drop out.
To improve student retention rates, universities can focus on providing valuable support services that address the financial needs of students. This includes removing financial aid roadblocks and offering flexible learning pathways. Additionally, universities can work on improving communication with students and their families about tuition adjustments and other financial matters. By addressing the financial concerns of students, universities can positively impact their retention rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Student retention is a shared responsibility. While students are accountable for their learning, persistence, and progress, the university also plays a significant role in ensuring students remain motivated and successful throughout their academic journey.
Student retention is influenced by various factors, including academic skills, critical thinking, and analytical abilities. Additionally, "life" issues such as financial stability, personal connections, and technological support can impact a student's decision to stay enrolled.
Student retention is often measured by year-to-year return rates, enrolment numbers, and graduation rates. However, it's important to consider other data points as well, as basic statistics may not reveal the full story behind student dropout decisions.
Universities can improve student retention by providing valuable support services, removing financial aid roadblocks, offering flexible learning pathways, and promoting a positive culture and experience for learners. Breaking down departmental silos and encouraging collaboration can also help universities better support student retention.
