Many colleges focus retention strategies on specific student populations

This table shows significant numbers of colleges and universities have developed programs designed for retaining sophomores/second-year college students in addition to the traditional focus on first-year students. The data are drawn from Noel-Levitz’s report, 2011 Student Retention Practices at Four-Year and Two-Year Institutions, based on a national survey conducted in May 2011.

Examples of other student populations that are receiving attention through specially designed retention programs include:

AT-RISK STUDENTS
88% of four-year private institutions
91% of four-year public institutions
90% of two-year public institutions

ACADEMICALLY ADVANCED STUDENTS (honors programs)
56% of four-year private institutions
79% of four-year public institutions
48% of two-year public institutions

CONDITIONALLY ADMITTED STUDENTS
66% of four-year private institutions
67% of four-year public institutions
22% of two-year public institutions

ONLINE LEARNERS
19% of four-year private institutions
30% of four-year public institutions
50% of two-year public institutions

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
47% of four-year private institutions
67% of four-year public institutions
28% of two-year public institutions

Effectiveness ratings for each of the above-mentioned programs (very effective, somewhat effective, and minimally effective) are also included in the report.  Among the programs that were frequently rated “very effective” for retention by the survey respondents, across institution types, were honors programs for academically advanced students and programs for first-year students.