This report provides insights into the challenges and factors affecting first-year students' motivation and success as they enter college, including the significant mental toll from the pandemic and economic uncertainty. The findings in this report are taken from data collected in 2022 from nearly 80,000 student records of first- and second-year…

This report explores the factors and considerations that impact a student's journey from accessing higher education to completing their degree or program of study. Specifically, the research focuses on two groups, Completers--those who entered and graduated college, and Non-Completers--those who entered college, but left school without earning a…

The is the second edition of Sallie Mae's "How America Completes College" report, which focuses on the experiences of current undergraduate students and considers the real-time barriers to graduation. This year's report identifies key factors impacting a student's journey from accessing higher education to completing their degree or…

This Deans Summary highlights the key themes and insights of the GMAC Prospective Students Survey -- 2023 Summary Report. It continues to explore trends in the candidate pipeline, program preferences, and career goals as well as new questions added to this year's survey about first-generation candidates, motivations for pursuing GME, and social…

Voting rates among Arizona State University (ASU) students have increased between regular term and midterm elections since 2012. Reports show that between the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections, ASU student voting rates increased from 47.8% to 58.7%. During the 2018 midterm election showed a large upward swing in voter turnout among ASU students…

From acting in an award-winning film to producing a number one album, getting to the top of the creative industries is a dream for many young people. But access to such careers, both behind the scenes and in front of an audience, is currently far from equal. For young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds in particular, there are major…

For more than a decade, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Prospective Students Survey (PSS) has provided the world's graduate business schools with critical insights into the decision-making processes of people currently considering applying to a graduate management education (GME) program. Its questions--covering a diverse range of…

Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill teamed up with UnidosUS to explore whether and how our debt-driven higher education system makes it difficult for students to finish a college program or degree. The quantitative research, gathered from more than 1,500 respondents from across the country, offers insight into the primary…

Ten years ago when Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) published its annual study of freshman motivations, those students were entering college in the shadow of the worst recession since the Great Depression. That report, which examined attitudes of students from 2009, provided insight into their motivations, attitudes, and needs in the midst of a very…

As entering students begin their college careers, they have been exposed to many mixed messages about whether college is "worth it"--from the media and public figures, to parents, to peers. There have also been significant changes in demographics, economics, college preparedness, and other key areas that may be influencing how freshmen…

This report captures motivational data from students at the end of 2020--students who were in the thick of the pandemic and the pivot to online and hybrid learning, along with historic levels of social and economic upheaval. Starting strong is crucial to student retention. When entering students get off to a strong start, they are more likely to…

In response to the growing call to increase college completion rates, many campus officials have turned their attention to the "sophomore slump"--a term that broadly defines the somewhat-common and lackluster performance of a substantial portion of second-year college students. To examine this issue, this report looks beyond test scores…

This annual report goes beyond the usual metrics of standardized test scores and high school transcripts to explore a wide range of non-cognitive attitudes that influence student retention and college completion rates for today's entering college freshmen. Findings are reported separately for four-year and two-year institutions, private and…

This special companion report to "National Freshman Attitudes Report, 2013" examines the college readiness of entering freshmen at two-year colleges in 2012. Based on student survey responses, the report identifies students' self-reported attitudes that may influence students' progress toward degree completion. The study is based on a…

We explore possibilities for placing community college students in math using non-cognitive measures, such as indicators of motivation or students' educational plans. First, we use supplemental administrative data gathered during routine placement testing in a large urban community college district in California to conduct predictive exercises…