APLICACIÓN DEL ANÁLISIS DE SOBREVIVENCIA AL ESTUDIO DEL TIEMPO REQUERIDO PARA GRADUARSE EN EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR: EL CASO DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE COSTA RICA

The paper analyzes the time frame required for bachelor degree attainment, as well as its relation with socio-demographic variables and academic aptitude. A follow-up study of students entering the University of Costa Rica between 2000 and 2003 was conducted up until 2010. The data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. A higher probability of early graduation was found in women and students enrolled in branch campuses. Moreover, Cox regression models were estimated, showing a negative correlation between the time frame required for obtaining the bachelor degree, on one hand, and the score obtained in an academic aptitude test, the type of high school (public/private), and whether the student had received financial aid from the university, on the other. The results show a trend in students with higher academic aptitude of successfully finishing their studies earlier. Furthermore, socioeconomic condition does not have a significant effect. The authors claim that this pattern is due to the role of the financial aid system of the university.