MTSU has a below-average graduation rate compared to other Tennessee schools, according to a Tennessee Higher Education Commission report.
The average graduation rate for Tennessee state colleges and universities is 49.2 percent. MTSU's average is 43 percent.
President Sidney McPhee said the university is looking for ways to improve the graduation rate.
"We'll never be satisfied," McPhee said. "We always want to improve."
Only 17 percent of Tennesseans have a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 24 percent, according to the THEC report.
"Tennessee must begin to educate its people more fully. Human capital is the new resource, and Tennessee must begin to invest more heavily with it," said the Statewide Master Plan for Tennessee Higher Education.
Although the graduation rate is a concern for the university, McPhee said that it must be looked at in context. MTSU cannot be compared to other universities. Different factors play into the statistics.
For example, "Flagship institutions have students who attend primarily to complete their degree, so the graduation rate is higher," McPhee said. "Students come for various reasons and stop for various reasons."
Those stopping reasons are just more prevalent at urban and suburban universities. These universities often have a higher student employment rate.
"Students [at MTSU] work typically 35 to 40 hours a week," McPhee said. "It's out of control."
The university is looking to increase scholarships in order to keep finances from affecting education. According to the Statewide Master Plan for Higher Education, "Higher education will increasingly become a 'buyers market.'
"Students will continue to rely heavily on loans, scholarships, grants and other forms of financial assistance to pay for their educational needs."
McPhee said that, nationwide, athletes have a higher graduation rate because they are on full scholarships and don't have to work simultaneously with school. Another major focus for the university is an increase in the advising system. Until recently, there was no required advising for students with undeclared majors.
"Now, we work actively with them. They'll get a call if they have not seen an adviser," said Robert Glenn, vice president of student affairs.
Mentoring, academic support and tutoring are all important advising techniques that the university is looking to place more emphasis on.
In order to improve the graduation rate, it is necessary to increase academic preparation, Glenn said. In fall 2004, the admission standards were raised. A minimum 3.0 grade point average or a 22 on the ACT, or a combination of a 2.7 GPA and a 19 or above on the ACT, is required for admission.
Glenn said these standards are not intended to deter students from higher education. It is meant to create "the foundation you need to compete with your peers here."
Students who do not meet the standards will be advised to attend a community college as a "detour" for preparation.
MTSU has the highest enrollment of valedictorians and salutatorians in the Middle Tennessee region. The university is currently working on an Academic Master Plan designed to recruit students with a high academic standing.
However, McPhee said it is primarily a public relations campaign to inform those who are "not aware that this is an outstanding institution for undergraduate studies."
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