The Impact of a Comprehensive Program on College Success of Academically and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students

Abstract

Low rates in college graduation and persistence have been a significant and persistent issue among urban high school graduates in the Unites States of America, especially for the academically and socioeconomically disadvantaged student population. In response to a college completion initiative, higher education institutions in one large city have joined forces to battle this issue. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the effects of one such university’s comprehensive support program on public high school graduates’ success in college graduation and persistence, and identifies a set of unique high impact practices that have contributed to the success of the program.