A quick reference for COTTonLINE readers who have a child or grandchild in college, from statistician Robert VerBruggen of RealClearPolicy. The extremely short article is mostly a chart that shows the relationship between freshman grade point average (GPA) and graduation within six years. One presumes 6 years was chosen instead of the traditional 4 because few now graduate in four years.
Freshmen with GPAs of 2.7 and higher have a 50% or greater chance of graduation. Below 2.7 it tails off so that not even 40% of those with a 2.3 GPA or lower will earn a degree in six years.
More amazing to me, only three-quarters of those with a freshman GPA of 4.0 will graduate in six years or less. I would have guessed (incorrectly) these super-achievers would almost all graduate, and quickly.
Sincere people will tell you grades aren't important in later life, perhaps they are partially correct. Grades sure as heck are important while still in college - here are the numbers to prove it.
