State struggles to pass college students

By Jim Cook

Published: July 7, 2008

Six-year graduation rates Alabama universities

Alabama is doing a good job of getting its students to college, but it’s not doing so great at getting them through college.

According to the Southern Regional Education Board, Alabama’s high school graduates enroll in four-year colleges and universities at a higher rate than other U.S. graduates, but less than half of these students graduate within six years.

“Everybody knows we need to raise our high school graduation rates, but Alabama’s college graduation rates are even lower,” said Alan Richard, SREB communications director.

Richard said lack of college preparation, a lack of focus by state government on what college preparation entails and rising tuition costs are all contributing factors to Alabama’s low college graduation rate.

Alabama universities have hiked tuition several times in recent years. This year, the University of Alabama increased tuition by 12 percent, 10 percent and 14 percent at its Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville campuses. Auburn University recently approved a 12 percent tuition hike. Troy University restructured its tuition schedule this year to eliminate a flat fee for full-time students, replacing it with a per hour charge.

According to Clif Lusk, a spokesman for Troy University, his university has several programs aimed at improving student retention and degree completion. Troy’s six-year graduation rate stands at 42 percent, but according to Lusk Troy’s graduation rate is lower because a large number of its students are non-traditional adult students who often take longer than six years to finish a degree because they’re taking classes part-time.

Troy’s student retention and degree completion programs include a Center for Success that focuses on academic development and campus involvement. The center helps improve student skills in core academics. Many of the university’s retention programs are aimed at first-year students because they are a large at-risk group. According to Lusk, if the university can retain students in their freshman year, there’s a very good chance those students will make it to graduation.