Avalos, J. THE EFFECTS OF TIME-TO-DEGREE COMPLETION, STOPPING OUT, TRANSFERRING, AND REASONS FOR LEAVING COLLEGE ON STUDENTS’ LONG-TERM RETENTION, EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS, OCCUPATIONAL PRESTIGE AND INCOME. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, PHD, 1996.

Multivariate analyses of longitudinal student data derived from a national database are utilized to determine how consequences of dropping out vary according to how retention is defined and according to reasons given for leaving college. As expected, retention has positive effects on educational aspirations, occupational prestige and income. In addition to interesting findings of the effects of time-to-degree and transferring on the post-college student outcomes, findings also suggest that stopping out is not simply a matter of prolonging time-to-degree completion, since it has negative direct effects not only on eventual degree attainment, but also on later income and occupation.

Findings from this study also show that involvement during college is a major determinant not only of college persistence, but also of post-college income, occupational prestige, and educational aspirations. Additionally there is information suggesting that the long-term implications of dropping out are not fully reflected in the practical impediments that not having a bachelor's degree poses. The circumstances surrounding the dropout decision--good job offer, financial difficulties, etc.--have important implications for the student's subsequent income, occupation, and educational aspirations, independent of whether or not the student eventually obtains the bachelor's degree.