top of page
  • Writer's pictureEIPCS

7 reasons why students drop out?

Today’s school system, college, and universities are on mounting pressure. There are constant talks going on about student persistence and student success. Regardless of the type of school and the course they offer, there are many reasons that trigger student’s dropout rates.

It could just be an individual issue or a mix of them. But it is high time to review into the reasons behind these dropouts, revise the factors for those young men and woman to have a successful course completion. This blog aims to pull out the main reasons why students drop out of their higher education.

Why do students drop out? Break the scenario—you do not deserve to be a statistic.‍

These questions hammer the status of the dropout rate. Universities and schools are in deep introspection. In such turn of events, what would you do to avoid becoming just another statistic? What could the vice president, faculty and staff do to retain a student? When can you understand why exactly students enrolled in your high school dropout?

The walk-away from their studies could happen for many reasons. The higher education voyage is never an easy one. College students in large, especially those in the first year of college find time adapting to the expanse of college life.

Even before they realize the advantages behind the newfound freedom, the campus quad, and sunny afternoons, the students ‘dropout of college. Reports confirm that a mere 54% of students in the United States are being able to make it to graduation. Remaining continue to be high school dropouts.

This blog helps to figure out the potential pitfalls that affect these young people from completing their high school, leading to quit schooling. We have worked out on tips to prevent student retention too. Read through the end.

Reason 1: Expensive tuition fee

“I can't afford my college fees”! This is the first reason why students drop out. The skyrocketing fees increase student debts, pushing those from underprivileged backgrounds suffer further. A survey conducted by the India Times shows that around 50 percent of 2017-2018 young adults who could not afford college, dropped out.

Further, the Student Enrollment Trends by high-needs Subgroup (2008-18) confirms the dropout rate due to unaffordability.


Source: Delaware Department of Education. (2018). Detailed Enrollment and Specialty Enrollment Reports (2008-2011).

Reason 2: Just not prepared academically.

“I’m simply not ready for it, dropping out of school doesn’t matter to me!” The lack of readiness is a major culprit in high school graduation rates and first-year students are the first prey.

They quit higher education because they are simply not ready for it. 2016 report produced by Education Trust shows that about 50% of high school graduates from US drop-out of high school without completing college and career-ready courses of study.

Reason 3: Unhappy with the college

Nagging roommates, overloaded with course works could be the next main reasons for students to dropout of high school. Unhappiness could also arise out of the distrust that develops out of the feeling that despite paying so much of fees, the institution forgets to keep students happier.

The case is worse when their colleges do not take them from the process of recruitment through placement appropriately. The number of communications, orientations, events to make student show up for the course goes futile when most institutions forget to keep up the same effort.

Hopelessness clouds around them when they feel that they are not up to the job ahead. These feelings force students to leave college and return to the comfort of their communities back home.

Reason 4: Discouraging environment


“I quit simply because it's bored”! This is yet another reason why most high school students come to a sticky end these days. Lack of student engagement is the main reason. When a student feels less engaged and lonely, he/she is turned down.


They feel bypassed when the colleges do not follow Outcome Based Education. “No one cares if I attended”, replied to a student who was recently interviewed by GradNation.org survey for his dropping out. Motivation barrier can be seen here in this student’s case.

Two types of motivation barriers exist—internal and external. Internal would include a less motivational learning environment, whereas external would be lack of peer collaboration online, fear of isolation and the absence of social cues. Inculcating the habits of success, forming a perfect support system can help here.

Reason 5: Picking the wrong course.

"I am undecided." Problems bud out from here. Figuring out the right course of study for a successful career path can always be of struggle. This could be a winding road rather than a straight line. It is unbelievable, but the truth is around 80% of college students get confused about changing their major at least once by the end of their study.

It is unfair to commit to a course of study only to discover later that the program is not what they expected. Course evaluation done at the early stages can become a right mentor here, where students are exposed to pick courses after much thought, by their own.

Reason 6: Academic inadequacy

Off the big number of students who attempt four-year college study, only a twenty-five percent have met the ACT readiness benchmarks on all the four subjects. An incredibly sad situation, indeed. On an average classroom, 28–40 percent want for remedial classes.

When a higher education lacks this, there is a dip in the student’s performance, which becomes a major reason for student pull out. Students should be routed with a solid learning management system that includes polls, notifications, quiz, assessments, and rubrics.

Reason 7: Conflict with work and family commitments

The conflict of interest between home, job and study can cause a breach in education. This scene is most common among all department of education, community colleges, and state universities. To back up their education students join part-time jobs. The Labor Market Outcomes of Young Dropouts statistics proved that 1 on 3 students dropped out due to the imbalance between work and college. Unable to maintain stress the work-study gave, they drop out.

Completion of school or colleges becomes an ordeal for the above-said reasons. If not addressed adequately by campus management, these reasons might lead to a significant decrease in student retention. This wakes up colleges and universities to discuss the college student retention crucially. Might look like a thorn on one’s side. Fret not, reading one of our blogs on how to improve student retention in higher education? can help you arrive at an idea on how to boost student retention can help.

The result cannot be overnight, but yes retention rates can be curbed down, and issues can be straightened up. Learning communities are budding, aiming to increase the school/college completion rates.

There is a growing body of research which suggests that colleges can improve their students’ chances of success by working to understand student frustrations, providing appropriate supports, and finding ways to help them over the rough spots.

Whether you are deciding to drop out of high school or college, please really think about it before doing it. Now a days there are so many options to help you achieve a higher education. Educators Inc is here to help you achieve your High School Diploma goals. Contact one of our counselors to see your options and what we have to offer. Do not wait any longer, call us today! 800-590-9611 ex.6



92 views0 comments
bottom of page