Odds Not Good For New Jersey College Students
We’ve put one kid through college and grad school, and we’ve got two more freshmen working on their degrees right now. As a parent, you’ve got two primary concerns. The first is covering the cost of higher education for your children. The second is hoping that they make it through the four (or more) years and graduate with a degree.
I recall back in the day when many of my college classmates and friends didn’t make it to graduation day. There are many reasons college students never cross the finish line.
Reasons for Falling Short
I think the saddest reason is that they run out of money or simply can’t afford to continue. Others flunk out of school or give up because they feel it’s too difficult. Some need to quit school to take care of family members. Some feel they no longer need a degree because they’re already working in their chosen field. I know a few people who made that decision and regretted it later in life.
Whatever the reason one may not finish their college career, the odds are that most won’t get that coveted degree.
The Sad Truth
According to a new study published by casinos.com they demonstrated that a college degree is far from guaranteed. They broke it down by state and the best graduation rate for any state is just over 63 percent (District of Columbia).
Unfortunately, many other states including New Jersey haven’t done nearly as well. The next-best state’s percentage is more than fifteen percent lower (Massachusetts at just over 46 percent). They were followed by Vermont at 44.44 percent, and Colorado at just two percentage points lower in fourth place.
New Jersey Graduation Rate
Jersey came in fifth place out of all fifty states at just over 43 percent. That sounds pretty good, but our chance of graduation is still much less than half. That means 67 percent of New Jersey students who start college never graduate.
The article also notes that “According to Forbes, Princeton University in New Jersey is the best Ivy League university in the country.”
Check out the full list here.
10 New Jersey Universities Among Best in the Country
97. New Jersey Institute of Technology
MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 12: General view of New Jersey Institute of Technology during the FC Internazionale women training session at New Jersey Institute of Technology on August 12, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mattia Pistoia – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
55. Rutgers - New Brunswick
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 10: Rutgers Scarlet Knights dance team members perform during the game against the Wagner Seahawks on September 10, 2022 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
194. (tie) Rowan University
GLASSBORO, NJ – MAY 06: Corey Clement, Running Back for the Philadelphia Eagles, deliveries the Commencement Address at Wackar Stadium, Rowan University during the 2018 Graduation Ceremony May 6, 2018 in Glassboro, New Jersey. (Photo by Bill McCay/Getty Images)
137. Seton Hall University
NEW YORK CITY, NY – MARCH 28: Seton Hall mascot after the WNIT Elite Eight basketball game between the Seton Hall Pirates and Columbia Lions on March 28, 2022 at Columbia University in New York, NY (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
115. Rutgers-Newark
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 10: Detail of a Rutgers Scarlet Knights helmet sits on the field before a college football game against the Wagner Seahawks at SHI Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
182. Montclair State University
30 MAY 2000: Senior Marc Houser (2) of Montclair State University dives onto the pile after a victory against the University of St. Thomas during the Division III Men’s Baseball Championship held at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, WI. Montclair State defeated the University of St. Thomas in consecutive games 13-3 and 6-2 to win the double elimination national championship title. Allen Fredrickson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
1. Princeton
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES – 2015/08/01: Nassau Hall ivy, Princeton University Campus. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
83. (tie) Stevens Institute of Technology
Jersey , United States – 8 June 2017; A general view of the Stevens Ducks pitch ahead of squad training at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
127. Rutgers-Camden
EAST HARTFORD, CT – MAY 28: A Rutgers Scarlet Knights fan waves a Rutgers flag following the NCAA Division I Mens Lacrosse Semifinals game between the Cornell Big Red and Rutgers Scarlet Knights on May 28, 2022, at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Big Red defeated the Scarlet Knights 17-10. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
182. Stockton University
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – JUNE 29: Stockton University’s new campus and dorm buildings are constructed along the boardwalk on June 29, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In addition to this, two new casinos opened this week in the seaside resort, as residents seek an economic upswing. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)
