AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF FACTORS AFFECTING RETENTION RATES OF FRESHMEN IN THE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AT INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study explored the factors affecting the retention rates of freshman students in the College of Technology (COT) at Indiana State University. Literature supports that factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and parental education are valid variables affecting the retention rates of freshman student populations across the United States. Also included in the list of valid retention variables are pre-college factors including high school curriculum, SAT/ACT scores, and high school GPA. Environmental factors such as living in dorms or being a commuter student, working on campus or off campus, and number of hours working per week are also considered valid variables affecting retention. Moreover, academic and social experiences are among the valid variables affecting the retention rates of freshman. Characteristics of universities and students vary among the populations. Hence making note that Indiana State University is unique, factors affecting the freshmen retention rate were studied. This study explored the data recorded by the university for years 2008 through 2013. The impact of factors such as ethnicity, high school GPA, and SAT/ACT scores was studied. The university does not have records of marital status of students and information regarding their employment; hence the impact of being traditional and non-traditional students on retention rates was not studied. Analysis of data collected through the survey and the Business Intelligence Department at ISU affirms that retention rates did vary over the past five-year period. Ethnicity, SAT/ACT scores, and high school GPA impacted the freshman retention rates in the COT at ISU. Summarization of the results reveals that both African Americans and a composite group entitled others that was comprised of American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanics, multiracial, and those who had not reported their ethnicity are at risk of dropping out of school by end of the freshman fall semester. Students who have SAT scores of lower than 899, high school GPA of less than 2.50, and those who have not reported their SAT scores or high school GPA are more prone to drop out of school by the end of the freshman fall semester. The survey questionnaire consisting of 33 questions revealed that the students are highly self-motivated and have a strong desire to achieve a degree. Students also expressed their worries about the debt that might be accumulated in the process of degree completion. Students expressed that they were satisfied with the quality of teaching in the COT; however, they also mentioned that they might consider leaving the COT if the teaching quality depreciates.