This report provides data on the number of years doctoral students take to complete their degrees. Between 1970 and 1993, total time-to-degree (the number of years between the baccalaureate and doctoral degrees) increased from a median of 7.9 years to 11.2 years. Students who majored in the natural sciences or in computer sciences and engineering…

This report examines undergraduate persistence and time to degree at public universities in Illinois, focusing on the year-to-year persistence of cohorts of freshmen students admitted to 10 universities between 1983 and 1993. It also examines the public university graduating class of 1993-94 and describes the factors influencing time to degree. It…

The completion rate and median time to degree of three doctoral cohorts at the University of Manitoba were analyzed by gender and by field of study and the results were compared to studies elsewhere. To evaluate factors affecting students' progress, a mail questionnaire was sent in the fall of 1993 to all students (N=105) first admitted to the…

This document is a summary of the degrees, awards, and certificates completed at community colleges in California during the 1997-1998 academic year. Table 1 presents the number of degrees and certificates awarded by district and college. The largest number of degrees and certificates were awarded in Los Angeles (4,693), Los Rios (2,610), Ventura…

Data from a National Collegiate Athletic Association survey indicate trends in graduation rates, length of time in school, and student financial aid for men, women, minority groups, and all colleges students. Graduation rates at 298 Division I institutions for all students and for men and women athletes are presented. (MSE)

Progress of British students embarking on doctoral degrees in the 1980s was analyzed for factors in completion of doctoral degrees. Results show funding had insignificant positive impact on completion rate, completion rate was highest in the sciences, ability (measured by first degree type) affected doctoral completion, and part-time status (or…

Most students planning to enter college do so immediately after graduating from high school, and most baccalaureate programs can be completed within 4 years. Taking longer may have a variety of causes and a number of implications, including costs for the individual and the institution. Approximately 31% of college graduates in 1990 completed their…

National longitudinal retention data on 52,898 students at 65 colleges and universities were used to generate formulas for estimating any institution's expected retention rate based on its students' high school grades, admission test scores, and racial and gender composition. Separate formulas were computed for estimating degree completion rates…

A study of Brigham Young University (Utah) graduates, 1980-88, looked at patterns in change of major among transfer students and those entering as freshmen. Results are reported concerning early statement of major, open vs. specified major, gender differences, academic achievement, frequency of change, and time to graduation in each year's cohort.…

Since 1958, the National Research Council has gathered information on doctoral recipients. This information, available annually in data tape form to supplying institutions, offers an opportunity to improve understanding of progress toward the doctorate and the way it relates to discipline, finances, gender, and age. (Author/MSE)

A study of 154 recent graduates of York University (Ontario) doctoral programs in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities investigated the relationship of gender, discipline, characteristics of the supervisory relationship, student financial situation, participation in teaching and research assistantships, and enrollment status to the…

This report reviews a study to identify individual factors that affect adult learners' success and persistence in college programs. Part 1, a historical analysis, uses past records of students to analyze patterns of persistence and success. It examines how demographic variables relate to continuing enrollment, grade point average (GPA), and degree…

An annual study of physical science graduate students' background characteristics and degree recipients' employment outcomes was conducted for 1994. Surveys were mailed to about 13,000 graduate physics students and 6,800 were returned. Highlights include the following: (1) most U.S. citizens take an average of 6.5 years to complete a doctoral…

An annual study of physical science graduate students' background characteristics and degree recipients' employment outcomes was conducted for 1995. The total pool of 1994-95 physics graduate students was 13,285 with non-U.S. citizens making up 43 percent. Among U.S. citizens, 18 percent entered graduate school 2 or more years after earning a…

A study investigated bachelor's degree completion times and related factors for students in Oklahoma higher education institutions. Data were drawn from survey information on 1,399 college freshmen in 1995 and cohort data on the entire freshman population of 37,059 in 1988. Analyses focus on comparison of students' expected and actual…