Time to be blunt. Four year graduation rates matter at the institutional level. Yes, for some it may take longer but typically six year students take on increased debt and delay entry into the workforce. Longwood compares favorably to a peer school, Radford, which has a 34-35 percent four year rate. 6 year graduation is not mono-causal, but if a school doesn't make it easy to get required classes in time, well that is important to know. There are success stories. Boise State's President in the early 2000 was pushing Congress to dissolve the Power 5 (now Power 4) football monopoly. It was his primary concern. The school then had a 4 year grad rate of 5%. What a case of misplaced values. After much work by their administration, the 4 year rate if up to 40%, with the 6 year rate at 61%. Kudos to them. I am not sure the rate itself, however, is relevant to an individual student. If they are serious about studies, and they don't intend to switch majors, Longwood (or Radford, for that matter) can be the right fit for some. A friend's son went to Longwood for a PE major and is an excellent high school teacher and coach in the state. He made the varsity team at Longwood (walk-on), something not realistic at a P4 program. Always seemed a great choice to me. I don't have coaching or teaching skills (no patience) but I look upon the life this guy leads and am happy for him. |
You’re right, graduating in 4 years delays entry into the workforce for those that don’t graduate in 3 years. 3 year graduation rates are very important. See how picking arbitrary numbers doesn’t accomplish anything? |
LOL they're not "underrepresented." They'll just less smart and less prepared. Get real. |
And your nasty, unhelpful comment means what, exactly? |
Not true. Cite? |
Oh please. Longwood is a safety school. Its students are less qualified. That's why they're not graduating on time. It's not because they're poor for pete's sake. |
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According to the New York Times, less than one percent of families with students at Longwood are poor, and half the student body comes from families with incomes in the top 20 percent nationwide. It's not a school for poor kids, it's a school for low achieving kids. THAT'S why the graduation rate is so low.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/college-mobility/longwood-university |
Here is a cite suggesting income levels could impact graduation rate. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/retention/2025/12/04/6-year-graduation-rate-holds-steady Oh, and being poor impacts qualifications to begin with. Guess what happens when you can’t tutor your way into UVa? You go to Longwood |
+1. Please read! |
Your tantrum is cute, sweetie. You were right that you lack patience. Unfortunately, it impacts your ability to form a coherent argument. |
Longwood’s median income is lower than other four year public universities in VA. Access is part of their mission. It’s not exactly a school for rich dumb kids. Longwood is middle class. Their neighbor HSC fits that bill for rich dumb kids. |
Median income is 110, very much middle class and borderline poor for a family of 4 by DC standards. Although median is misleading, the mean would be much more helpful. |
Where on earth are you getting the idea that Longwood is full of poor kids?? It isn't. |
Financial constraints are a key driver in taking time off: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/retention/2024/08/13/academic-struggles-compel-many-students-leave-college |
It’s already been posted the median household income is 110,000. Not poor, but certainly not rich. |