Students wearing keffiyeh are seen during the George Washington University (GWU) commencement ceremony on the National Mall on May 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Not all college students get to graduate on time, and while there are uncontrollable factors, like finances, one common mistake is disregarding their first college years.

In a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, it was recently revealed some early indicators were academic success in the first year, completion of college credits, as well as persistence in the second year.

According to Inside Higher Ed, the study tracked 307,500 first-time, full-time students who enrolled in bachelor's and associate programs in 2016. It was observed that the on-time students had high academic performance during their first year, which meant higher GPAs and a much greater percentage of credits completed compared to peers. For example, students who graduated earned an average of 90% of the credits attempted in their first year and were more likely to continue into their second year, even if at a different institution.

Persistence into the second year was also a critical predictor for students in two-year or certificate programs: graduates were more likely to enroll than non-graduates by 32% points. GPA from their freshmen year was the strongest early indicator for bachelor's degree seekers, followed by retention into the second year.

What Can Colleges Do To Help Students Graduate On Time?

Now, the study suggests the need for specific support to better enable students to succeed in early academic work and retention. This would save students the cost of an extended education while contributing to their greater socioeconomic mobility.

For colleges and universities, graduations on time help optimize resources and improve institutional outcomes. However, there are numerous challenges that cause delays in the progress of most students, which include financial instability, personal struggles, unclear degree requirements, and poor advising.

The study also exposed differences in graduate rates according to the field. Students majoring in social science or business would graduate at an on-time graduation rate.

While the report highlighted that cautionary conclusions cannot be drawn on whether program requirements matter without further dissection, an evidence-based strategy that improves graduation outcomes is essential.