The interaction between dropout, graduation rates and quality ratings in universities

Eline Sneyers () and Kristof De Witte
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Eline Sneyers: Maastricht University

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2017, vol. 68, issue 4, 416-430

Abstract: Abstract This paper investigates in a non-parametric framework whether academic programmes maximize their student graduation rates and programme quality ratings given the first-year student dropout rates. In addition, it explores what institutional and programme characteristics explain this interaction. The results show a large variation in how academic programmes are able to deal with the selective nature of first-year dropout. Nevertheless, we can accurately explain the variation among programmes by programme and institutional characteristics. It seems that universities can maximize the relation between first-year dropout, graduation rates and quality ratings in several ways: (1) by improving student programme satisfaction, (2) by better preparing certain groups of students for higher education, (3) by supporting male students, (4) by supporting ethnic minority students, (5) by attracting older staff, and (6) by strengthening the selective nature of the first year (ie, increasing the academic dismissal policy threshold).

Keywords: student dropout; student graduation; conditional efficiency; nonparametric estimation; universities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1057/jors.2016.15

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