Author

Paul Loriston

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Collins, Tracy

Area of Concentration

Economics

Abstract

This study provides an overview of racial enrollment trends at New College of Florida, and analyzes the financial breakeven point and elasticity of a retention program at the college. This study is intended to provide an understanding of black enrollment and retention trends at New College. Previous studies on enrollment at the institution have failed to address the small, but growing Black student population. This study compares New College racial enrollment trends with state and national demographic trends and, additionally, analyzes the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), a retention program at New College. I used primary source material to engage in a breakeven analysis for the QEP, where costs are the QEP total expenses, and revenue are net tuition received from enrolled students to the college. I also engage in a analysis of elasticity, identified as the responsiveness of attrition to changes in QEP funding. The main conclusion of this study is that Black enrollment at New College underperforms significantly compared to state and national trends, as well as other minority groups at New College of Florida.

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