College Program Doubles Graduation Rate to 50%

When Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced $20 million in grants this fall, he brought hope to 3,000 students who might otherwise drop out of college. The funding will implement a program that's already doubled graduation rates at community colleges across eight states.

The model, called ASAP, was pioneered by The City University of New York two decades ago. Students in the program graduate at twice the rate of their peers, hitting roughly 50% compared to the typical 25%.

The results don't stop at graduation. Nearly seven in ten ASAP graduates enroll in bachelor's degree programs within four years, and research shows the program is closing achievement gaps across all student backgrounds.

ASAP works by covering tuition and textbooks, providing dedicated advisors, and creating clear pathways so students know exactly which classes to take and when. The comprehensive support addresses financial, academic and personal needs all at once.

But here's the challenge: CUNY estimates the program costs an additional $3,440 per student annually. That's why Maryland needed millions in private funding just to serve a fraction of students at only four of its community colleges.

The Bright Side

Schools don't need massive budgets to make a real difference. Education experts say sustainable changes can dramatically boost graduation rates without replicating expensive programs.

The simplest fix addresses a stunning problem: nearly 60% of students can't graduate on time because required courses aren't offered when they need them. Creating clear course sequences and ensuring class availability can keep thousands more students on track.

Flexible scheduling makes a huge difference too. When colleges offer classes just one or two days per week instead of four or five, students save thousands annually on childcare alone. Blending in-person and online learning helps students juggling unpredictable work schedules or long commutes.

Small emergency grants matter more than most schools realize. Nearly one in five college students couldn't come up with an extra $500 if an unexpected need arose. A few hundred dollars for car repairs or medical bills can be the difference between graduating and dropping out.

The most powerful tool costs nothing at all: making everyone from the chancellor to the front desk staff see themselves as student coaches. Answering questions, offering encouragement, and connecting students to resources should be everyone's job.

With 43.1 million Americans having started college but never finished, these affordable strategies offer hope that more students can reach the finish line.