Observations on the Class of 2007 Higher Education Research Institute Data Presented by Dr. Ralph Wagoner and Dr. Dick Hanson lutherancolleges.org The Lutheran Educational Conference of North America

Why This Report? We need to enhance LECNA’s knowledge base for present and future marketing efforts We need to enhance LECNA’s knowledge base for present and future marketing efforts We need to share with our member colleges the perspectives gleaned from this work We need to share with our member colleges the perspectives gleaned from this work

Sections in this Presentation: Points for Discussion and Analysis General Demographics General Demographics Issues of Faith, Religiousness and Spirituality Issues of Faith, Religiousness and Spirituality Why this college? Decision Making. Why this college? Decision Making. Financial Considerations and Issues Financial Considerations and Issues A Few Final Comments A Few Final Comments

The Data Base The observations presented come from CIRP data collected by HERI/UCLA The observations presented come from CIRP data collected by HERI/UCLA More than 350,000 frosh, fall 2003 More than 350,000 frosh, fall 2003 LECNA schools = 19 colleges (ELCA, LCMS and Independent) LECNA schools = 19 colleges (ELCA, LCMS and Independent)

Section 1: General Demographics

Racial Make-up, LECNA vs All Others

Academic Description (high school grades)

Miles This College is From Home

Parental Income

Parental Education

Parental Situation – Three Groups of Students

Section 2: Issues of Faith, Religiousness and Spirituality

Student Religious Affiliation

Religious Preference – of Fathers – By LECNA Region

Religious Preference – of Mothers – By LECNA Region

Self Report: Traits that Describe The Student to a “Great Extent”

Student Rated Self “above Average” or Highest 10% as Compared With the Average Person in Age Group

Student Rated Self “above Average” or Highest 10%, Religiousness and Spirituality

Student Rated Self “above Average” or Highest 10%, LENCA Midwest and LECNA East

Student Rated Self “above Average” or Highest 10%, Religiousness and Spirituality

Student Rated Self “above Average” or Highest 10%, Women Compared to Men, By LECNA Group

Student Rated Self “above Average” or Highest 10%, Religiousness and Spirituality

Chances Student Strengthen Religious Beliefs/Convictions

Section 3: Issues of Behavior and College Choice

Is This College First, Second or Third Choice? LECNA Respondents

Is This College First, Second or Third Choice? LECNA Respondents and Private University Respondents

Number of Colleges Applied To: By Type of College

Visits to the Campus

Reasons for Attending College By College Type ReasonRank Standard Score Academic reputation First3.29 Visit to the school Second3.17 Size of the school third3.06 Social Activities at the school Fourth1.60 Academic Programs Fifth1.00 LECNA East ReasonRank Standard Score Academic Reputation First2.17 Financial Assistance Second1.91 Size of the school Third1.83 Visit to college Fourth1.80 Social activities at the school fifth1.00 LECNA Midwest ReasonRank Standard Score Academic Reputation First2.79 Financial Assistance Second1.51 Size of the school Third1.44 Social Activities at the school Fourth1.21 Ranking in national magazines Fifth1.00 PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES ReasonRank Standard Score Academic reputation First2.38 Visit to campus Second1.34 Social activities at the school Third1.28 Financial Assistance Fourth1.06 Size of the school Fifth1.00 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Section 4: Financial Issues and Considerations

Concern About Abilities to Finance A College Education

Concern About Abilities to Finance A College Education, LECNA by Sex

Financial Assistance from Family Resources

Financial Assistance from Student’s Resources (work, work study, other sources)

Financial Assistance from Grants, Scholarships (no re-pay)

Financial Assistance from Loans (sources which must be repaid)

Chances Student Will Get a Job or Work Full-time

Section 5: A Few Final Comments

Chances are “Very Good” That Student Will Be Satisfied With Their College

What Have We Learned About This Group of Students?

Some Major Conclusions LECNA is white LECNA is white Students coming in are good academically Students coming in are good academically LECNA students are willing to travel to attend college LECNA students are willing to travel to attend college Most of the parents of LECNA students are well educated, i.e. have a college education Most of the parents of LECNA students are well educated, i.e. have a college education There are similarities between LECNA school and public institutions in terms of parental education and parental income There are similarities between LECNA school and public institutions in terms of parental education and parental income Only about a third of the students attending LECNA schools are Lutheran We must be sensitive to recruiting quality students regardless of religious preference We resonate well with students in terms of academic environment Sex differences were noted in terms of religiousness, spirituality, academic achievement, reasons for going to school, and ability to finance their educaiton

More Conclusions Academic reputation, financial assistance, size of the school and visiting the college were more important for women Academic reputation, financial assistance, size of the school and visiting the college were more important for women For the men, the social reputation of the college was higher For the men, the social reputation of the college was higher Women are more concerned about financing their education Women are more concerned about financing their education Students in the Midwest were more concerned about financing their education Students in the Midwest were more concerned about financing their education Midwest students expected to receive fewer family resources (to finance their educations) than any of their counterparts Midwest students expected to receive fewer family resources (to finance their educations) than any of their counterparts Midwest students expected to work more (to finance their educations) and they had a greater need for financial assistance in the form of grants and loans LECNA students in most ways look very much like other students from around the country, with the exception of religiousness Faith and the religious affiliation of the college does not appear to be the “hot button” for students attending LECNA institutions