Profiles of Undergraduate Completers: Acknowledging Alternative Paths

Abstract

There is a multitude of studies that have examined graduation rates within the traditional 4- to 6-year time frame. What fails to be captured in these studies are students who are outside the 4- to 6-year time frame. In the present study, we sought to empirically explore a cohort of students who successfully completed their bachelor’s degrees at a Carnegie classified doctoral research, public, 4-year university in the Southwest using a latent profile analysis. Institutional records (N = 14,743) for all undergraduate students who graduated Fall 2011–Summer 2016 are represented in our data, including first-time full- and part-time students, transfer students, and students who previously had stopped out of postsecondary education. Three key indicators were used to describe the classes: time to degree, grade point average, and a number of credits earned. The resulting 5-class solution identified the following classes: on-time graduates, traditional extenders, interrupted extenders, midlife extenders, and determined extenders. Characteristics of the classes and implications are provided.

Keywords:

• Undergraduate profiles
• enrollment patterns
• academic success
• developmental education

Disclosure Statement

We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Troncoso Skidmore

Susan Troncoso Skidmore is a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University.

Linda Reichwein Zientek

Linda Reichwein Zientek is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Sam Houston State University.

Hsien-Yuan Hsu

Hsien-Yuan Hsu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Stacey L. Edmonson

Stacey L. Edmonson is Dean of the College of Education and Professor of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University.