Graduation and Placement Rate Disclosures
With the regulations for disclosing program' graduation and placement rates, have you noticed any changes in prospective student behavior? For example, have students started flocking to some programs over others? Has the institution made any modifications as a result?
Much like other regulations, the regulations to disclose graduation rates and placements rates do have a purpose and a place in higher education. I have not seen a change in student behavior as a result of the regulations, but I do believe that some institutions were already in the habit of transparency. Those institutions that do not have a history of and are not transparent in their practices most likely have seen changes in their students’ behavior. I also believe that those institutions that have not adjusted or modified their practices will find themselves not only losing students, but out of compliance.
I do believe that this regulation (like many others) should be in place and imposed on all institutions of higher education – 4 year private, 4 year public, community colleges alike. Having worked at many different institutions, I can honestly say there are “good and bad†schools across the nation in all types of learning platforms and all should be held to the same regulatory standards.
Our school has not seen any changes in prospective students' behavior after seeing the graduation and placement rates. One thing that our school does is meet with an adivory board every 6 months. This group of individuals is composed of employers who hire students in a particular program. They look at our curriculum to see if there is anything that we could change to make our students more successful.
Yes, I see that they are content with our current graduation and placement rates. Our students usually know what program they are interested in from the start, but it is important information for them to know.
I can't say there has ever been an issue, where a student changes their mind based on graduation and placement rates.
We are just upfront and honest about the expectations, it is then their decision to enroll in our school
Personally, I have not seen any changes in student behavior as a direct result of this. Some students ask for more information or clarity regarding these rates but that is about it.
We have not seen that behavior. If anyone is experiencing that trend, one might question the institutions enrollment process. A student should make their program determination based upon more than graduation and placement rates.
I think that when i inform students on placement and graduation percentages it really helps the student see what kind of school they entering into.
I think our students will "flock" to the program the programs that they think will generate the highest salary, even though our placement and graduation rates are high.
We share our graduation and placement rates with prospective students. At this time i always explain that there is no substitution for the "WANT TO".Meaning the student has the biggest influence on their own success. We invite prior grads into the classroom to share their experiences. Are there any suggestions that could help a student that may have had limited success in the academic arena see the light at the end of the tunnel?
No not really because the student usually wants something they can be passionate about versus the amount of money they can make. The money they make is a motivating factor but it's not the only factor in their decision making.
I have noticed students who come in not 100% set on what program they are interested in and ask " which one has a higher placement/ salary" I will then go back to their likes and dislikes and state to them it's not all about the money in the end. If you can't see yourself doing XYZ on a regular basis then you will not be successful/ happy with your new career.
The Graduation and Placement Rate Disclosures gives a potential student a realistic snapshot of what they are getting into, rather than just a representatives perception.
I have noticed that students feel more comfortable when they have seen the graduation and placement rates. I do not believe it has changed which program the chose.
My school changed from a semsters to quarterly degree program of study within the past two years and these disclosures presented to students before signing enrollment agreement have no had numbers to provide. Even so, students haven't seemed to have an isssue as they seem to have conviction about the program of study they have chosen.
There has most certainly been a correlation with which programs prospective students choose and the placement rates associated with those programs. In my experience, career oriented schools attract students that are more focused on the outcome than the experience at school.
At Ross Online we were a new addition to the offerings at Ross Education LLC. Offering the graduation and placement stats will be a new part of our process...having worked in Career Education for years, it has been my experience that if one programs rates are more favorable than anothers it does impact student perception and ultimate program choice.
I feel knowing graduation and job placement rates can help a student feel more comfortable with the school and program they are selecting-esepcially the job placement rates. Knowing that jobs are out there can help raise confidence that they are getting into a good field.
I do not think this has changed much for the students. They go on word of mouth and what they hear have jobs or may make more money etc.
I think the disclosure just gives students more information to make or not make the decision to pursue a program/field of study. It's a dose of reality because no one is guaranteed a job. Finding a job these days is even difficult for the most educated/qualified people on the market.
