Understanding Multi-Institutional Pathways: The Influence of Swirling on Degree Attainment at Two-Year and Four-Year Institutions

• In Event: Examining the Influence of Enrollment Behavior on Student Postsecondary Success

Abstract

A common notion among higher education scholars and policy makers is that multi-institutional enrollment or “swirling” has a detrimental effect on degree attainment. This study seeks to investigate this relationship empirically. It expands existing literature by (1) using a unique set of data to examine the relationship between swirling and degree attainment, and (2) exploring the influence of swirling on this outcome at both 2-year and 4-year institutions. The findings suggest that, in some instances, students who do and do not swirl have similar levels of degree attainment; however, context matters. More specifically, swirling at 2-year and 4-year institutions can have a different effect on degree attainment for students within 4-year institutions.

Authors

• Krystal L. Williams, Educational Testing Service

• Ji-Hee Hong, Washtenaw Community College

• Roger Mourad, Washtenaw Community College