Exploring the Association between Campus Co-Curricular Involvement and Academic Achievement

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between college student attendance at co-curricular programs and GPA. Researchers tracked attendance of two cohorts totaling 3,000+ students through electromagnetic scanning at university-sponsored events. Analysis of GPA by attendance rate clusters revealed that students attending 5–14 events over the 4–year period had significantly higher ( p < 0.001) GPAs than students attending fewer or more events. The findings from this study contribute to the scope of research on student engagement in higher education. Whereas research on student alcohol use, depression, and anxiety has addressed the risk factors for student success, this study complements existing research by examining the protective facets of student institutional engagement.