Factors Affecting Persistence of Undergraduate Engineering Students: A Quantitative Research Study Using Institutional Data

摘要

Persistence of undergraduate engineering students has long been a challenging issue in many engineering programs at higher education institutions in the United States (U.S.). Although much research has been performed to study factors affecting student persistence, research findings vary from institution to institution due to cultural and other unique differences at each institution. The present research adds to the knowledge base by employing readily available institutional data to determine factors affecting persistence of engineering undergraduates at a public research university in the U.S. Institutional data collected on declared engineering majors were sorted into equal-sized groups of 383 persisting students and 383 non-persisting students, totaling 766 students. Statistical t-tests were performed to analyze numerical (continuous) data that correspond to four factors: high school GPA (graduate point average), ACT (American College Testing) math score, composite ACT score, and projected age at graduation. Statistical Pearson's chi-squared tests were conducted to analyze categorical data that correspond to six other factors: gender, marital status, residency status, campus residence, scholarship, and financial aid. The results of statistical analysis show that students with higher high school GPAs, ACT math scores, or composite ACT scores were more likely to persist in engineering. Older or married students were also more likely to persist than younger or single students. When compared with in-state resident students, out-of-state resident students were less likely to persist, and international students were more likely to persist. Students who had received financial aid were more likely to persist than those who did not. These research findings have practical implications. Higher education institutions can adjust entrance criteria to increase the chances of success for students admitted into engineering programs.