Question

"James entered college immediately after graduating from high school. He attends a public four-year university. He isn't doing well and is thinking of quitting. He wouldn't be alone as almost _____ of those attending a four-year institution do not graduate."

Answer 1

Nearly 40% of full-time students graduate from a four-year institution within four years, while the graduation rates drop as the years extend. First-generation college students face higher dropout rates, with 89% not graduating within six years due to factors like support system absence, financial issues, and navigational challenges.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question touches upon graduation rates at four-year institutions. According to data, almost 40% of full-time students graduate within four years, while 30% take five years, 20% take six years, and 10% require seven years to graduate. For first-generation college students, the challenges are even greater; nearly 89% will not earn an undergraduate degree within six years of starting, which is four times the dropout rate of peers whose parents have postsecondary degrees. Various factors contribute to this discrepancy, including the lack of a collegiate support system at home, financial burdens, and perhaps a less familiar navigational understanding of the college environment.