DROPOUT TENDENCIES IN TURKISH HIGHER EDUCATION

TitleDROPOUT TENDENCIES IN TURKISH HIGHER EDUCATION
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2025
Authorsİlkdoğan Serbes, D, Balyer, A
JournalProblems of Education in the 21st Century
Volume83
Issue4
Start Page545-562
Paginationcontinuous
Date PublishedAugust/2025
Type of ArticleOriginal article
ISSN1822-7864
Other NumbersE-ISSN 2538-7111
Keywordsdescriptive correlational research, diploma inflation, higher education, human capital, Tinto’s dropout model, youth poverty
Abstract

Dropping out of higher education is a significant issue that impacts not only individual students but also the educational system and society at large. The purpose of the study is to examine the levels of dropout tendency among undergraduate students attending public universities in Türkiye and to determine whether these tendencies vary according to specific demographic variables. The sample included 1,061 students, of whom 58.2% (n = 617) were female and 41.8% (n = 444) male, enrolled in public universities in Türkiye. Data were collected using the "School Dropout Scale in Higher Education" and a demographic information form. The findings indicated that students in their third year or above demonstrated higher dropout tendencies compared to those in earlier stages of their studies, including preparatory, first, and second-year students. Additionally, students studying in metropolitan cities (Ankara, Izmir, Istanbul) demonstrated significantly lower dropout tendencies than those in other cities. A decrease in school attendance was associated with a statistically significant rise in dropout tendency. Students who worked while studying were more likely to show dropout tendencies than those who did not work. Furthermore, higher parental educational levels correlated with a significant decrease in dropout tendency. Similarly, students with higher Grade Point Average (GPA) exhibited a lower tendency to drop out. Conversely, lower family income and a greater number of siblings were associated with a significant increase in dropout tendency. No statistically significant difference was found regarding gender.

URLhttps://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=4604159
DOI10.33225/pec/25.83.545
Refereed DesignationRefereed
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