The Chronicle’s recently released study, titled “Graduation Rates Over Time,” compares the graduation rates of 1,400 schools in 2002 and 2008. The Chronicle found that overall, graduation rates at American higher education institutions have declined by 33 percent since 2002 — with the recession as a likely cause.
While Harvard has a graduation rate of 98 percent, things are different on the opposite coast–only ten percent of San Francisco’s Golden Gate University students graduate from the institution, according to a new report by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Golden Gate is followed by Alliant International University in San Diego and Idaho State University, with meager rates of 11 and 16 percent, respectively.
On behalf of Golden Gate University we called up The Chronicle of Higher Ed and pointed out the reasons why the report is inaccurateÂ, and they’re looking into it.
Here’s some reason’s why:
1) The Chronicle calculated the statistics of “all first-timeÂ, full-time [undergradÂuate] students entering in the fall seeking bachelor’s degrees who completed bachelor’s degrees within six years.â€
GGU’s undergraduÂate population are all part-time students coming in with transfer units. In fact, this trait for applicants is an admissions requiremenÂt for GGU’s undergraduÂate program tailored specificalÂly to the population GGU serves- working adults in need of flexible schedulingÂ.
2) Since 2003, GGU has had only a total of six “full-timeÂ, first-time” enrolled students, a negligible sample size. Yes, 6.
3) GGU not a “private research institutioÂn”, which the article states is another characteriÂstic of UniversitiÂes under analysis.
4) The undergrads GGU serves (currently 422 students) are not your traditionaÂl freshmen. They are working adults who need flexible schedulingÂ, online classes, and are looking to complete their degree for career advancemenÂt. Our understandÂing of the modern student is what has enabled us to thrive for 110 years now as a non-profitÂ, private universityÂ.
5) ApproximatÂely 50% of the students who have enrolled since 2003 have graduated with their bachelor’s degree. http://wwwÂ.ggu.edu/uÂndergraduaÂte_programÂs/student_Âsuccess/reÂtention_anÂd_graduatiÂon
For a part-time adult population with life always interferinÂg, this is something to be proud of.
-Cherron Hopes, GGU