Ethnic/Racial Differences in 1-Year Persistence Rates by Institutional Status at Texas 4-Year Universities over Time

Abstract

In this study, the 1-year persistence rates of four ethnic/racial groups (i.e., White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian) were analyzed as a function of institutional status (i.e., stayed or transferred) at Texas 4-year universities. Data were retrieved from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Interactive Accountability system for the thirty-eight, 4-year Texas public universities for the 2014 academic year. For all ethnic/racial groups, statistically significant differences were present in the 1year persistence rates by institutional status. Effect sizes were very large. Regardless of race/ethnicity, students who transferred to another 4-year institution were statistically significantly less likely to persist than their peers who remained at the same 4-year institution. The 1-year persistence rates were 44%, 34%, 31%, and 27% higher for Hispanic, White, Asian, and Black students, respectively, who stayed at the same institution than for Hispanic, White, Asian, and Black students who transferred to a different institution. Based upon these results, implications for policy and for practice for 4-year universities are provided, along with suggestions for future research.