Leaving College: Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition

by Vincent Tinto

As enrollments continue to decline, student retention is increasingly vital to the survival of most colleges and universities. In the new edition of his widely acclaimed Leaving College, Vincent Tinto synthesizes far-ranging research on student attrition and on actions institutions can and should take to reduce it. The key to effective retention, Tinto demonstrates, is in a strong commitment to quality education and the building of a strong sense of inclusive educational and social community on campus.

This completely revised and expanded edition incorporates the explosion of recent research and policy reports on why students leave higher education. Incorporating data only now available, Tinto applies his theory of student departure to the experiences of minority, adult, and graduate students, and to the situation facing commuting institutions and two-year colleges. He has revised his theory as well, giving new emphasis to the central importance of the classroom experience and to the role of multiple college communities.

"This book appears to be the best compilation of ideas about understanding student departure from college written to date. . . . Tinto has pulled together a lavish variety of facts, findings based on empirical studies, theories, and institutional savvy to provide readers with valuable information that should help concerned members of the academic community better understand student departure."—John P. Bean, The Journal of Higher Education

"This book is an excellent summary of previous research, a soundly sociological volume, and a very practical guide for action. It is an excellent blend of theory, research, and policy implications. It is also incredibly well written."—Theodore C. Wagenaar, Contemporary Sociology

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1987

Reviews

[J.L. Sutton]

Vincent Tinto's Leaving College is an important study about student retention and ways in which students can be integrated into communities (especially the broader college community). Much of what's written seems commonplace (it did come out in 1987) and Tinto repeats very similar arguments throughout the book (so it is a slow read). However, understanding the concepts Tinto deals with here is crucial for those working on student retention, persistence and completion efforts.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tinto's departure theory is a must-read for any higher education professional. Both faculty and administration will find a wealth of knowledge that provides the motivation and conviction to evaluate their methods of teaching, administration and our everyday interactions with college students. This work is recommended reading for all of my colleagues who wish to make an impact on student retention.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a pillar in theory relating to college student attrition. College students will leave without a bedrock of socialization experiences and a support network. If students stick around past the first term, they will likely continue through to degree.

Tinto, however, does not relate the impact of the external environment ("the real world") to the life of the college student. He also considers "traditional" college students as 18-22 y/o, and not today's older, family-oriented, part-time, or commuter students.

While Tinto's theory is indeed a nice framework, it has been worked on and refined by scholars over the 13 years since originally published.

[McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tinto's theory of student departure is one of the most important and widely cited in the field of higher education administration and student development. Though his writing is very dry and his meticulous arguments become monotonous, I nevertheless appreciated reading how he came to develop the theory, as opposed to simply reading the many summaries of it in more recent journal articles that build upon Tinto's foundation.

[Rieta Ganas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read - amazing what was recommeneded in the nineties has still not been chenged in many institutions and it still holds true today if you want to create enabling environments for retention.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foundational book for the study of college students.

[Sam Snideman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, important book. Slow and dull at parts. I saw Dr. Tinto at Ivy Tech's professional development day in 2011, and he was very engaging. A good read for anyone in higher education.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seminal research in student attrition...great read for a researcher, college educator or administrator.