How Well Does the Sat and GPA Predict the Retention of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Business Students

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between various admissions selection criteria utilized by a small, Liberal Arts College in Indiana. More specifically, the study examined if a higher college preparatory GPA and a higher aggregate score on the SAT helped predict the retention of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business students. Data was gathered using historical enrollment data of 803 students. A logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the impact of the two variables on retention of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business students. College preparatory GPA and the aggregate SAT score were predictors of retention of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business students. For every point increase in GPA, the odds were more than twice as much that the student would be retained. For every point increase in SAT, there was 0.3% increase in retention.