Student Persistence and Factors which Affect Retention in Online Courses at a Small Rural College

With declining enrollment and retention issues among Maine public universities it would be beneficial to try and determine what factors are contributing to online student retention and student persistence to ensure we are meeting the needs of online students which may help lead to better attrition rates, student success, and degree completion. This mixed-methods study sought to determine the various factors which may have contributed to student persistence and retention in online courses and programs at the University of Maine Fort Kent. The research correlated student experiences and perceptions with institutional efforts in order to address any gaps in services which may improve the educational experience and student success for online learners, in turn, helping to improve retention. Analysis of the data revealed that there are identifiable factors within the institution’s control that may help increase retention rates and that using available student information may help to ensure students have the resources they need to be successful in meeting their educational goals