TDNet Discover

The purpose of the study was to test holistic learning theory by relating non-cognitive skills to degree completion among undergraduate students in the United States in order to improve college success. The population (n=85,000) of the study was drawn from Title IV eligible postsecondary institutions throughout the United States during the 2011-2012 academic year. The methodology used was a survey administered to participants with a logistic regression performed between the six non-cognitive factors as the independent variables and degree attainment as the dependent variable. The findings from the study show a positive relationship between satisfaction with studies and academic confidence on degree attainment, while no relationship was found with the other non-cognitive variables. The conclusions reached are that students who have a higher level of satisfaction with studies and higher levels of academic confidence are more likely to attain a degree. The significance of the study is that higher education administrators and faculty may use these findings to improve degree attainment rates at institutions. The study contributes to the literature by affirming previous findings with regard to level of satisfaction with studies and academic confidence on college success metrics.