Factors Predicting Undergraduate Students’ Academic Achievement and Later Life Outcomes

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  In Roundtable Session: Roundtable Session 9: Student Learning and Development in College and Beyond

Abstract

This study examined the effects of demographic characteristics on undergraduate students’ academic growth trajectories, as well as the structural relationships among college experiences, personal attributes, and post-college outcomes. Using latent growth modeling, the findings showed that race was a significant predictor of students’ academic growth trajectories, even after accounting for gender, family income, and parental education. Results from multiple-group structural equation modeling showed that several paths among the latent constructs varied significantly by gender and race, indicating that differences in personal attributes and collegiate experiences by demographic group may translate into disparities in post-college outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering demographic variation in academic achievement and long-term outcomes, highlighting implications for equity-focused educational policies and support systems.

Authors

• Yen Vo, University of Iowa

• Sonca Vo, University of Utah