College Graduation Rates

Group project by:

• Andrew Carl
• Charles Casper - https://github.com/ccaspar
• Youn Hee Pernling Frödin - https://github.com/yhpf

Data

Data was collected from https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/.

Background

Over the last 30-40 years, for the poorest wealth group, college attendance has risen. However, overall college graduation has not risen. National graduation average for full-time students at 4-year degree-granting institutions was 59 percent. On a positive note, even though college tuition has risen, students that come from modest backgrounds are attending college at the highest rate ever. Goal: What causes colleges to have higher graduation rates than others? Is it financial background or is there something else causing low graduation rates.

Models

Two models used: Random Forest and Linear Regression

Random Forest:

• Top 5 features explained the vast majority of model performance
• Best hyperparams
• Cross-validated R2 score: 60%

Linear Regression:

• Top features all statistically significant with 95% confidence
• Cross-validated R2 score: 67%

Findings

What causes colleges to have higher graduation rates than others?

• Higher educational background of the student's parents.
• Higher tuitions.
• Fewer students transferring into the college.
• Fewer students receiving federal student loans.
• Higher debt for students with high family income.