A Multinomial Logit Model of College Stopout and Dropout Behavior

44 Pages Posted: 14 Jun 2005

See all articles by Leslie S. Stratton

Leslie S. Stratton

Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Business - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Dennis M. O'Toole

Virginia Commonwealth University

James N. Wetzel

Virginia Commonwealth University

Date Written: June 2005

Abstract

Studies of college attrition typically assume that all attrition is permanent. We use data from the 1990/94 Beginning Postsecondary Survey to distinguish between long-term dropout and short-term stopout behavior in order to test that assumption. We find significant differences between those who stop out and those who drop out in the first year. Failure to recognize these differences biases the results of standard attrition models and hence may cause policy makers to pursue inappropriate policy initiatives or incorrectly target at-risk populations. Furthermore, the type of financial aid received is found to have a differential impact on stopout versus dropout probabilities.

Keywords: college persistence, college dropout

JEL Classification: I21

Suggested Citation

Stratton, Leslie S. and O'Toole, Dennis M. and Wetzel, James N., A Multinomial Logit Model of College Stopout and Dropout Behavior (June 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=742344 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.742344

Leslie S. Stratton (Contact Author)

Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Business - Department of Economics ( email )

Box 844000
Richmond, VA 23284-4000
United States
804-828-7141 (Phone)
804-828-1719 (Fax)

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Dennis M. O'Toole

Virginia Commonwealth University ( email )

1015 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284
United States

James N. Wetzel

Virginia Commonwealth University ( email )

1015 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284
United States

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