Factors related to time necessary for degree completion for the 1985-1986 freshman classes at Florida Atlantic University

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict the length of time a student takes to complete a bachelor's degree. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the criterion, number of semesters to graduation, from the 33 predictors derived from a questionnaire. Seventy-four percent of the variance in semesters to graduation (F(33,40) = 3.51, p < .0002) was accounted for by the predictors. A subset analysis revealed that 43% (F(9,94) = 7.95, p < .0001) of the variance in number of semesters to graduate was accounted for by the nine predictors judged to be best. These predictors were previous credits earned, change of major, effects of major change, enrollment status, social interaction with faculty, sense of belonging, perception of the academic experience, perception of performance, and expectation of time to graduate. Cross-validation of this subset of predictors yielded an R^2 of .148. This level of shrinkage was due to the small sample size in relation to the number of predictors.