The Impact of Learning on Student Persistence in Higher Education

The private economic benefits of persistence in higher education include better salaries and benefits, higher employment rates, greater savings, superior working conditions, and increased personal and professional mobility. Democratizing higher education is a first step to extending these benefits to a range of individuals. However, universities must also help an increasingly diverse body of students be successful and persist to graduation. This study explores a new aspect of persistence research, specifically, the views of graduating students and alumni regarding factors that influence whether or not they would return to the same institution, go to another institution, or not attend university at all if they were to make the choice again. Findings indicate that those who would not pursue higher education at all scored significantly lower on ratings reflective of learning, specifically essential learning outcomes and various aspects of academic engagement, suggesting that the learning experience is key to higher education persistence.