Drop-out Students Cost Taypayers Billions

Students who drop out of college after their freshmen year cost states' as much as eight percent of their total higher education budgets. We've long known that students who drop out after one year have not only potentially wasted a year of their lives, but have probably also acquired monstrous debt and an uncertain future, but this new statistic from data gathered by American Institutes for Research, is shocking and puts a real dollar estimate (in the billions) on what taxpayers forfeit when colleges don't retain students.

Yes, finishing a degree has many benefits, both real and perceived, for a student. But for the average taxpayer, the issue may now be more economic than academic. As the Obama administration pushes students to achieve diplomas and certificates in post-secondary schools, Mark Schneider, vice president at American Institutes for Research, says the goal should be to get students to come back for that second year. They should be encouraged to graduate, yes, but take it one step at a time. Most students drop out of college after the freshmen year. Colleges need better retention plans and students need encouragement to stay in school. These new economic statistics may light a fire under ordinary citizens to get engaged with their local universities in promoting retention plans that work.

As Hilary Clinton pointed out years ago, it takes a village to raise a child and, apparently, to get that child to stay in school. Local business owners, for example, can help with retention by employing college students in part-time jobs. Students need money to stay in school and local business owners have the limited resources to hire students, while simultaneously giving students some on-the-job technical training. Alumni of local colleges and universities also have a responsibility to give back to their alma maters. While monetary contributions are always hopeful, particularly to public institutions, alumni can be most effective by speaking to students directly. While they may not express it, students like hearing from successful alums. Students need encouragement to stay in school. This encouragement must come from the whole community - teachers, administrators, alumni, and local citizens.

Photo Credit: Keith Parker