This is part of the Delta Cost Project at American Institutes for Research (AIR) series addressing postsecondary costs resulting from student attrition and ways to measure and manage them. The elements of this analysis include the following: 

  • A recommended definition of attrition, as well as a methodology for estimating attrition and 
    ascribing costs to it 
  • An example of the application of the methodology using national data samples, including
    findings about the patterns and costs of attrition
  • Recommendations to institutions and states about ways to use the measures to support
    efforts to reduce attrition, including setting benchmarks and goals, and rewarding progress
    as part of  performance- or outcomes-based budgeting