What Do They Suffer? An Examination of Personal,Program,and Environmental Factors Impacting Nontraditional Undergraduate Students’ Dropout

Abstract

Using university student database systems and an online survey, this study examined relationships and impacts of personal, program, and environmental variables regarding nontraditional students’ program dropouts. Results of the logistic regression supported that several variables related to students’ demographic backgrounds, especially age and academic experiences, contributed to better predicting of nontraditional students’ dropout. Findings from the online survey administered to the dropout students only further supported the idea that personal (financial and family-related challenges) and academic variables (availability of courses and program expectations) were major contributors to program departure. Implications for administrators and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords

nontraditional students adult learners continuing education dropout retention distance education

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