Proportional Hazards Models of Graduation

Abstract

Survival analysis is a statistical tool used to describe the duration between events. Many processes in medical research, engineering, and economics can be described using survival analysis techniques. This research involves studying engineering college student graduation using Cox proportional hazards models. Among male students with American College Test (ACT) scores only, those with better Science ACT scores were more likely to graduate. Among students submitting only Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores upon application, controlling for other descriptors such as in-state residence, hometown population, and student major, students with better SAT Math score and female students were more likely to graduate. In summary, results reported here are the significance of standardized math test scores, gender, and Science ACT scores in explaining variation in student graduation under different conditions.