Education

They tend to stay

Tech retention rate above average

HOUGHTON -- The Research Center at the National Student Clearinghouse published a June report where it saw higher education persistence and retention rates hit a decade high in the U.S. Michigan Technological University has attributed its retention rate to the resilience of its students. It ranks consistently above the national average -- eight points higher last year.

Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bulleit said the long Keweenaw winters forges its students' resilience. "It's not easy to get through a winter here at Michigan Tech or in the Houghton community," she said. "Our programming and students affairs are centered around creating resilience in our students."

According to Clearinghouse, persistence in college is defined as students transferring out of their initial institution but still pursuing a degree somewhere else. On the other hand, a school's retention rate tracks the number of students still enrolled after each semester. Michigan Tech tracks retention rather than persistence because retention rates indicate a school’s overall performance.

A combination of factors leads to Michigan Tech having a higher-than-average retention rate, according to Bulleit. MTU’s retention rate was 88.3%, around nine points higher than the national average, which was 79.4%. Clearinghouse posted a retention/persistence combined-rate of 77.1%.

Bulleit said Tech's strong programs mixed with its student engagement programs provide an environment where students feel comfortable staying the course.

"A lot of factors play into our retention rate," she said. "The biggest things that we see are students not staying here because of academic reasons or they are transferring to a place closer than home. So, some of those things we are not really not in a lot of control over."

According to an article from the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, community and campus engagement play a role in a school's retention rate.

"Residential campuses with ample student housing typically see higher retention rates," USC's Brian Soika wrote. "Students who live on campus have more opportunities to engage with the student body and their coursework than those who have to commute."

For Tech, the more than 2,500 students living in residence halls mean more involvement within the campus community through events and student programming.

Bulleit said despite all the hardships in a typicel Keweenaw winter, academic rigor and Tech's remote location provides, students still love being Huskies.

"Our students are proud of the fact they can get through Michigan Tech and stay here," she said. "That collectively gives them a sense of grit and resilience. That is going to help them once they graduate as well."