Four-Year Graduation Rates of
Full-Time Freshmen by
Responses to the CIRP
Freshman Survey (2009)
Dr. Braden J. Hosch
Asst. Vice President for Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
March 13, 2014
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
OVERVIEW
Inputs significantly influence graduation rates
Responses to 2009 CIRP Freshman Survey confirm
this, with items falling into four broad areas:
•
•
•
•
High School Academics
Social Experience in High School
Admissions & Financial Aid
Plans for Campus Engagement
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
METHODOLOGY
CIRP Freshman Survey
•
•
•
Nationally benchmarked, in field since early 1970s
Administered at SBU orientation
88% response rate for freshmen entering in 2009
Linked to graduation outcomes before 9/1/2013
•
•
996 (36%) provided IDs
48.0% grad rate of sample, compared to 46.2%
overall
2-tailed chi square test for item significance
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
CAVEATS
Correlation, not causation
•
Graduation rate outcomes are associated with, not
caused by survey responses or program participation
Limitations of survey data – respondents may:
•
•
•
Forget
Exaggerate
Lie
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS
Significant factors included:
• Skipping class/school
• Working with other
students on class
assignments
• Community service as part
of class
• Drive to achieve
• Taking notes during class
• Self-confidence (intellectual
• High school grades
• AP Exams taken
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
0
<B
(n=29)
41.0
42.5
20
36.4
40
64.9
60
24.1
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
High School Grades
B
B+
AA or A+
(n=110)
(n=193)
(n=322)
(n=333)
What was your average grade in high school?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
66.7
48.5
20
36.1
40
53.7
60
46.9
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Number of AP Exams Taken
0
Not offered
None
1-4
5-9
10+
(n=32)
(n=144)
(n=518)
(n=203)
(n=15)
How many AP Exams did you take during high school?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
38.8
40
51.5
60
36.8
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Frequency of Skipping School/Class
0
Frequently
Occasionally
Not at all
(n=19)
(n=245)
(n=712)
How often did you skip class/school in the past year?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
39.5
40
36.7
60
52.4
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Frequency of Taking Notes in Class
0
Frequently
Occasionally
Not at all
(n=702)
(n=245)
(n=38)
How often did you take notes in class in the past year?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
35.7
40
43.4
60
51.7
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Frequency of Working with Other Students
Frequently
(n=571)
Occasionally
(n=389)
Not at all
(n=28)
0
How often did work with other students on class assignments in
the past year?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
41.5
40
52.7
60
53.2
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Frequency of Community Service in Class
0
Frequently
Occasionally
Not at all
(n=141)
(n=438)
(n=395)
How often did you perform community service as part of a class
in the past year?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
Self-Rated Drive to Achieve
80
60
54.9
20
46.6
40
42.0
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
100
Average and Below
(n=250)
Above Average
(n=425)
Highest 10%
(n=317)
0
Rate yourself on your drive to achive compared to the average
person your age
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
60
52.6
20
51.5
40
Above Average
(n=437)
Highest 10%
(n=194)
41.1
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Self-Rated Self-Confidence (Intellectual)
0
Average and Below
(n=358)
Rate yourself on intellectual self-confidence compared to the
average person your age
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
SOCIAL EXPERIENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL
Significant factors included:
• Smoking cigarettes
• Drinking alcohol
• Time spent playing video
games
• Spirituality
• Views on marijuana
legalization
• Parents status
(alive, married)
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
60
30.0
20
29.9
40
50.1
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Frequency of Smoking Cigarettes in Past Year
Occasionally
(n=67)
Frequently
(n=30)
0
Not at all
(n=886)
Indicate if you smoked cigarettes in the past year
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
Beer
80
Wine/Liquor
44.8
45.5
41.3
20
40.6
40
52.3
60
51.8
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Frequency of Drinking Alcohol in Past Year
0
Not at all
(n=657, n=622)
Occasionally
(n=276, n=317)
Frequently
(n=44, n=29)
Indicate if you drank beer / wine or liquor in the past year
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
33.3
20
49.7
40
49.5
60
52.2
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
View on Marijuana Legalization
0
Disagree
Strongly
(n=253)
Disagree
Agree
Somewhat
Somewhat
(n=301)
(n=302)
Marijuana should be legalized
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Agree Strongly
(n=132)
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
40.3
20
44.8
40
46.4
60
52.5
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Time Spent Playing Video Games
0
< 1 hr
1-2 hrs
3-5 hrs
6+ hrs
(n=457)
(n=196)
(n=165)
(n=149)
Hours/week in past year playing video/ computer games
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
Lowest 10%
(n=103)
Below average
(n=147)
Average
(n=413)
56.6
47.5
20
40.8
40
57.3
60
35.0
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Self-Rated Spirituality
Above average
(n=218)
Highest 10%
(n=106)
0
Rate yourself on your spirituality compared to the average
person your age
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
60
One or both deceased
(n=29)
Both alive, living
divorced or apart
(n=216)
50.7
20
39.4
40
41.4
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Parents’ Status
0
Both alive, living with
each other
(n=745)
Are your parents alive? divorced?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
Significant factors included:
• Importance to parents of
student attending SBU
• Financial assistance from
SBU
• Not offered financial aid by
first choice
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
• Could not afford first choice
• Admission through early
decision
• Rankings in national
magazines
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
54.6
40
50.5
60
41.5
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance to Parents of Student Attending SBU
0
Not important
Somewhat important
Very important
(n=376)
(n=432)
(n=185)
How important was you parents wanting you to attend SBU in
your decision to come here?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
53.1
40
49.8
60
41.4
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance of Offer of Financial Aid from SBU
0
Not important
Somewhat important
Very important
(n=350)
(n=315)
(n=320)
How important was SBU's offer of financial assistance in your
decision to come here?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
56.5
40
52.4
60
45.3
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance of No Aid Offer from 1st Choice
0
Not important
Somewhat important
Very important
(n=704)
(n=166)
(n=108)
How important was not being offered aid from your 1st choice in
your decision to come here?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
58.0
40
52.2
60
43.7
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance of Unaffordability of 1st Choice
0
Not important
Somewhat important
Very important
(n=630)
(n=159)
(n=188)
How important was not being able to afford your 1st choice in
your decision to come here?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
63.8
40
59.2
60
43.5
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance of Early Action/Decision
0
Not important
Somewhat important
Very important
(n=731)
(n=147)
(n=94)
How important was admission through early action/decision in
your decision to come here?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
20
51.6
40
49.8
60
40.8
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance of Rankings in National Magazines
0
Not important
Somewhat important
Very important
(n=245)
(n=458)
(n=283)
How important was admission through early action/decision in
your decision to come here?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
PLANS FOR CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
Significant factors included:
• Planned living
• Plans to participate in
arrangements
student groups
• Goal to participate in
• View on college’s right to
community action program
ban controversial speakers
• Plans to participate in
• Goal to become an
volunteer/community svc.
authority in a field
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
26.3
20
41.3
40
46.7
60
50.9
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Planned Living Arrangements
0
College
Other Campus Family/ relatives
Private
Residence Hall
Housing
(n=206)
Home/Apt.
(n=745)
(n=15)
(n=19)
Where do you plan to live during the fall term?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
Not important
(n=270)
Somewhat important
(n=491)
57.5
20
47.9
40
57.1
60
41.1
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Goal to Participate in a Community Action Program
Very important
(n=182)
Essential
(n=40)
0
Indicate the importance to you personally in participating in a
community action program
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
No chance
(n=49)
Very little chance
(n=225)
57.9
20
37.8
40
48.9
60
42.9
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Anticipated Participation in Volunteer Work
Some chance
(n=444)
Very good chance
(n=266)
0
Best guess as to chances you will participate in volunteer work
or community service?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
60
46.2
53.3
20
39.8
40
7.7
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Anticipated Participation in Student Clubs
No chance
(n=13)
Very little chance
(n=113)
Some chance
(n=413)
Very good chance
(n=448)
0
Best guess as to chances you will participate in student
clubs/groups?
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
54.7
20
51.6
40
49.9
60
40.3
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
View on College Right to Ban Controversial Speakers
Disagree somewhat
(n=399)
Agree somewhat
(n=281)
Agree strongly
(n=53)
0
Disagree strongly
(n=248)
View that colleges have the right to ban extreme speakers from
campus
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES BY
100
80
53.8
20
46.9
40
49.7
60
34.1
Pct Graduated in 4 Years
Importance of Becoming Authority in a Field
Somewhat important
(n=368)
Very somewhat
(n=375)
Essential
(n=160)
0
Not important
(n=82)
View that colleges have the right to ban extreme speakers from
campus
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey
DISCUSSION
• Acknowledging caveats, results can be useful in
planning
• Sharing results with students / parents in
programming venues may prompt discussion
• Results may yield more value over time with
consistent survey administration
Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Source: CIRP Freshman Survey