A different sort of ranking

hoedown
Thu, 19 May 2005 01:04:05 +0000

At the extremes (high and low graduation rates), the rates simply reflect wealth and poverty, the degree to which students have to drop out for financial reasons.



That might be true for 6-year, but not necessarily for 4-year. I mean, I think you’re onto something important, and you’re right that it may be a big factor. However, I disagree with the idea that the rates “simply reflect” socioeconomic factors. It’s not that simple.

Any school with no professional programs and no practicum requirements will have an edge over one with, say an engineering school, when measured by 4-year rates.