Graduation Rates??

N

nadofr8dog

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Hi All,

Please take a look at the following site: http://www.collegeresults.org/search1a.aspx?institutionid=197027

It indicates the graduation rate for KP is about 70%. Of the 300 or so who enter, about 90 are loss over 4 years. I thoroughly believe in a weeding out process of those that shouldn't be there, but this seems a little high.

The Naval Academy has gone too far the other direction and bends over backwards to keep drop out / attrite rates as low as possible, patting themselves on the back for their excellent recruiting/selection program . . .

It would be interesting to find out the number of voluntary departures vs the number of attrites for academics or other reasons. Again, I believe in a weeding out process for those who don't deserve to be at KP, but this number seems a little high.

FWIW, Dave
 
Donar, thank you for the link. That information was very interesting.
 
Donar:

Great link - as has been said good data through the Class of 2008.

nadofr8dog:

I disagree, respectfully with you and believe the information provided by donar and the USMMA prefromance improvement plan has it right. A gradual slop up from the current 78% graduation rate to 81% over the next five years is both correct and a realistic goal. Any more would be unrealistic for the reasons indirectly referenced in the supporting information (emphasis added):

"The USMMA graduation rate targets also compare favorably to graduation rates at other Federal service academies. The undergraduate degree program at the USMMA is notable for its rigor, requiring approximate 170 semester hours of education and professional study - three years of study in residence and one year at sea. In comparison, a typical undergraduate program at a State or private institution requires approximately 120 semester hours. In addition to these academic requirements, graduates must complete physical examinations and officer training to recieve a commission as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserves or U.S. Merchant Marine Reserves, and complete requirements for licensure by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is also noteworthy that unlike other institutions of higher education and other Federal service academies, the numbers and types of degree programs and academic majors at the USMMA are limited to maritime specialties, in accordance with its Congressional charter. These programs are prinicipally engineering in nature and are often associated with high rates of student attrition. The USMMA employs tutoring, mentoring and other enrollment management programs to reduce the likelihood of resignations and academic failures."

When you add the 3% deferred graduation rate to the 78% graduation rate for the Class of 2008 you get a 4 year graduation rate of 81% for a rigorous course of instruction that requires completion of ~41% more semester hours as well as successful completion of a USCG Liscence exam and acceptance of a Commission in the U.S> naval Reserve, if offered. Compare that to the 4 year (not 5 or more year) graduation rates of science and engineering programs at most reasonably good State and Private Universities.

Also we need these graduates to be ready to be the future leaders of our country's vital transportation interests and industry, that's why we are paying an average of ~239.5K for them this year.
 
Woody, I agree with Donar. There is no "apples to apples" comparsions to USMAA. Smith, give be a break. I would be interested in the attrition after "Sea Year".
 
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