So Close, Yet So Far Away: Early Vs. Late Dropouts

Abstract

While some students drop out early in their academic career, others drop out close to completion. What similarities and differences exist between these early and late dropouts? Using a sample 3,520 first-time, full-time (FTFT) students seeking a bachelor's degree at a state university, this study employs multinomial logistic regression to model factors influencing early dropout, late dropout, and 6-year graduation. Results show that age, gender, ethnicity, and first-year college GPA are significant predictors of early dropout relative to late dropout and that early dropouts and late dropouts differed from graduates in different ways. Additionally, the majority of late dropouts do not matriculate at any college after dropping out based on National Student Clearinghouse records. Campus implications will be discussed.