This study examined how institutional and environmental attributes of the undergraduate institution facilitate or impede African American, Asian American, Caucasian, and Mexican American students' baccalaureate degree attainment four and six years after college entry. The primary data source for this study was generated from a national survey of…

Recent research indicates that college students who transfer from community colleges are significantly less likely to complete a 4-year college degree than students who begin at 4-year institutions. This paper estimates models of college completion for both types of students. Based on these results, an Oaxaca decomposition indicates that students…

This report examines the length of time it takes Maryland students to earn a baccalaureate at a public college in the state, the factors that might delay degree progress, and alternative strategies for reducing time-to-degree. Among new full-time freshmen at Maryland's public four-year campuses since 1980, most took longer than 4 years to earn a…

A small sample of the 60 indicators reported on in the full annual report "Condition of Education, 1993" are provided in this brief booklet, i.e., the following six tables: (1) enrollment rates in prekindergarten education; (2) international comparisons of reading literacy; (3) mathematics and science course-taking patterns; (4)…

Students who were awarded university fellowships for their first year of study at a major research university were compared to nonfellowship students. The students' completion of the Ph.D. and the time required to obtain the degree were assessed. Data for about 3,200 Northwestern University students were analyzed. Three models were developed for…

This study of the State University System of Florida examined the relationship of demographic factors and college performance to various types and amounts of financial aid, student employment rates, and earnings of employed students. The state's unemployment insurance wage records were used to identify employed students, the university's financial…

This study investigated the effects of several variables on time-to-degree using a structural equation modeling approach. It examined influences upon time-to-degree for all students earning Bachelor's Degrees in 1998-99 at one university. Dependent variables were total elapsed semesters to degree attainment and total semesters enrolled. Data on…

Examines the argument that the majority of postsecondary students require more than four years to complete baccalaureate programs. Reports that students who transfer from another institution generally require even more time. Finds that variance in time to degree is explained by demographic factors unique to the student. (Contains 14 references.)…

Asserting that graduation and stopout are "competing" or correlated events and that they often should be modeled as such, this study demonstrated that factors affecting timely graduation (e.g., financial aid) often have time-varying effects, and that ignoring these time-varying effects can lead to spurious conclusions that may result in…

Data from all Ph.D. students in four fields at Cornell University, 1962-1986, showed that students with fellowships or research assistantships had higher completion rates and took less time to complete their degrees than did than those with teaching assistantships, tuition waivers, or self-support. (SK)

Plans of some to reduce the time for completing the traditional undergraduate degree or to redefine it to require fewer credits are examined critically. Reasons for considering time-shortened degrees and responses to the idea are considered. A reexamination of the meaning of the undergraduate degree is recommended. (MSE)

Increasingly, states are establishing policies designed to decrease the time public-college students take to attain their undergraduate degrees, stimulated by private college claims of four-year degrees that actually take only four years. State financial aid for summer school attendance is a major part of the strategy. The approach appears to be…

Discusses policies of Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Eugene W. Hickok, Jr., which include encouraging colleges to graduate more students in four years, stressing the need to improve the academic rigor of core curricula and teacher education programs at state universities, increasing state student financial aid, and encouraging for-profit…

Examined why graduate students take longer to complete humanities and social sciences degrees than natural sciences degrees. Found that field differences in knowledge structures and the organization of research have significant implications for research training. "Hard" fields have a directed supervision model and close relationship…

Discusses efforts by colleges and legislatures to encourage undergraduates to finish in four years, as stretched budgets and anticipation of record enrollments spark efforts to return to tradition. (EV)