Undergraduate degree completion : a study of time and efficiency to degree

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine time and efficiency to undergraduate degree completion. Four dependent variables were examined including semesters enrolled, semesters elapsed, graduation efficiency index (GEI), and alternative GEI. Many independent variables were assessed to determine correlations to time or efficiency to degree. Finally, results were compared across colleges, departments, and degrees to determine any significant differences. This study was based on 1585 graduates from one year at the University of Central Missouri. Multiple methods of analysis were used including bivariate correlation analysis and linear, stepwise regression. One-way analyses of variance were performed to determine if the differences between colleges, departments, and degree types were significant. Twenty-one variables proved to have statistically significant correlations to all four of the dependent variables. The strongest correlations were exhibited by transfer hours earned, age at graduation, cumulative hours attempted, and cumulative hours earned. Other strong relationships were found with age the student began at UCM, total summer semesters enrolled, and the average number of fall/spring hours attempted and earned at UCM. Significant mean differences were discovered by both college of enrollment and type of degree. No significant mean differences were discovered by department of enrollment.