Profile of Undergraduates in U.S. Postsecondary Education Institutions: 2003-04, With a Special Analysis of Community College Students

Title:	Profile of Undergraduates in U.S. Postsecondary Education Institutions: 2003-04, With a Special Analysis of Community College Students
Description:	This report is the fifth in a series of reports that accompany the release of the data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). This report includes an analysis of community college students, examining the relationship between a measure of students’ degree commitment and their likelihood of maintaining their enrollment over the 1-year period under study. The study developed a taxonomy called the Community College Track, which classifies students’ degree commitment (more, less, or not committed) based on their reported intentions of completing a program of study (transfer, associates degree, certificate, or no degree) and their attendance status (at least half time or not) within their program of study. Overall, some 49 percent of community college students were classified as “more committed,” 39 percent as “less committed” and 12 percent as “not committed.” The two largest groups were students classified as “more committed” in transfer programs (29 percent) and “less committed” in general associate’s degree programs (17 percent). The results indicate that students who demonstrate a relatively strong commitment to completing a program of study (i.e., they explicitly report that either transfer or degree completion are reasons for attending and they attend classes at least half time) are very likely to maintain their enrollment for one year. Some 83 percent of the “more committed” students did so, compared with 70 percent of “less committed” and 58 percent of those designated as “not committed.”
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the entire report as a pdf file. (995KB) Download, view and print the narrative report as a pdf file. (1024KB) Download, view and print table compendium and appendices as a pdf file. (424KB) View/Download Table Parameter Files (TPFs) Need Help Viewing PDF files?
Cover Date:	June 2006
Web Release:	June 21, 2006
Print Release:	This Publication will only be available online.
Publication #:	NCES 2006184 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	NCES
Authors:	Laura Horn and Stephanie Nevill
Type of Product:	Statistical Analysis Report
Survey/Program Areas:	National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS)
Keywords:	Educational Attainment Persistence to Completion of Students in Higher Education Postsecondary Education • persistence and attainment
Questions:	For questions about the content of this Statistical Analysis Report, please contact: NCES WebMaster.