Allocating for Graduation--A Correlation Analysis of Institutional Education and General Expenditures and Six-Year Graduation Rates at All Public, Four-Year or Above Degree-Granting Colleges and Universities

Author

Danny R. CantrellFollow

Date of Award

2006

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

College

College of Education

Type of Degree

Ed.D.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Powell E. Toth

Second Advisor

Dennis M. Anderson

Third Advisor

Robert B. Bookwalter

Abstract

This study utilizes six-year graduation rates and E&G expenditures for the population of all public, four-year or more degree-granting institutions in the United States, as reported in the National Center for Educational Statistics’ IPEDS database, to examine the correlation between graduation rate and institutional expenditures expressed as percentages of total institutional E&G expenditure. Results of this study’s partial correlation analysis revealed there is not a strong correlation between graduation rate and levels of E&G expenditures. Further, the study showed that the proportions of E&G expenditures do not vary appreciably at institutions with the highest, lowest, or mid-level six-year graduation rates. Public higher education administrators, politicians, and policy makers faced with the challenge of improving graduation rates should be made aware that higher graduation rates cannot be “bought” by striving for optimal resource allocation levels.

Recommended Citation

Cantrell, Danny R., "Allocating for Graduation--A Correlation Analysis of Institutional Education and General Expenditures and Six-Year Graduation Rates at All Public, Four-Year or Above Degree-Granting Colleges and Universities" (2006). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 27.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/27