Are colleges doing a good job supporting “non-traditional” students? The question can be difficult to answer, as they are not tracked the same as “traditional” students, but some recent studies point to some discouraging data, though perhaps not that surprising.
A study by the American Council on Education found that completion rates among non-first-time students were rather dismal:
A study by the NCES in 2013 found similarly discouraging completion rates among part-time students:
Students enrolled in two-year programs also have lower graduation rates than those in four-year programs:
About two-thirds of students in 2011 were considered “non-traditional”. This lumps together a large pool of students who could be:
Colleges who participate in federal aid programs are required by the government to report data on only traditional students:
These are students who are:
Many of them turn to for-profit universities who are more likely to cater to their needs, yet these colleges are expensive and sometimes have low completion rates.
More and more universities are very aware of this growing trend, and are making efforts to better support a rising number of students who are juggling classes with work, family and adult responsibilities. Non-traditional students value:
Let’s hope colleges continue to make this a priority in the coming years, as students are likely to demand more and more flexible and affordable options.
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