The relationship between parental educational level and academic success of college freshmen

Abstract

This study determined the difference in the level of academic potential/achievement across five populations of freshmen during an academic school year at Iowa State University. It examined students whose parents' highest education was: (1) high school diploma, (2) one or two years of college, (3) two-year associate or technical degree, (4) four-year degree, and (5) graduate or professional degree. Other factors that might impinge on student academic achievement are: poverty, socioeconomic status, and family structure/or marital status. The study investigated whether students whose parents attained higher levels of education beyond the high school diploma were more successful academically than students whose parents did not. Eleven factors were used to analyze the relationship between parent educational level, and student academic achievement and performance. The findings of the study indicated that parent educational level, family structure/marital status, and income range have a positive influence on their student's academic potential and achievement. Students whose parents had higher educational levels performed higher on standardized tests than parents with lower educational levels. The results from this research showed that socioeconomic factors weigh heavily on the potential and academic achievement of first-time freshmen at Iowa State University.