Course Withdrawal Behaviors and Predictors of Course Withdrawal Among College Students

• In Event: Institutional Analysis and Data-Informed Decision Making

Abstract

Course withdrawals may lead to financial burdens for students, institutions, states, and the federal government. By using statewide administrative data from Texas, this study describes course withdrawal behaviors in the Texas public higher education institutions and examines the predictors of course withdrawal. I found that two-thirds of the college students in the sample withdrew from at least one course, highlighting how common course withdrawal is among college students. Community college transfer students experienced the highest rate of course withdrawal (three-fourths) throughout their education. Moreover, various student and course characteristics are related to course withdrawals, such as cumulative college grade point average, summer enrollment, taking 15 semester credit hours, online courses, paid employment, and Pell grant recipient status.

Author

• Ibrahim Bicak, University of Chicago
  Presenting Author