Beyond “Drop Out” versus “Graduate”: Defining Student Retention

Types of student retention include institutional, system, academic discipline, and course. Likewise, non-completion can be thought of in four broad categories: Drop-out, stop-out, opt-out, and transfer-out.

Examining these categories as well as definitions of student persistence, the growth mindset, and student attrition allows you to thoughtfully select a definition of student retention that matters most to you and your institution’s unique needs and, in turn, implement the appropriate solutions to increase student retention rates.

In this guide, you will learn: