A structural equation model correlating success in engineering with academic variables for community college transfer students

Student Enrollment and Engagement through Connections is a collaboration between a large Midwestern university and in-state community colleges (CCs) to increase success of transfers into engineering. This study explores predictors of completing a BS in engineering for CC transfers through a structural equation model. The model was estimated using academic variables from both institutions. The dataset includes 472 in-state CC transfer students admitted to the College of Engineering between 2002 and 2005. The model fits the data well (χ 2 =74.254, df=30, p<0.0001; RMSE=0.056, Comparative Fit Index=0.984, chi-square/df ratio=2.475). First spring University GPA and credit hours, CC transfer credits toward core engineering courses, first fall credit hours after transfer, first fall University GPA, and University core course GPA are significantly related to graduation in engineering. This research may help increase the success of CC transfers to engineering, emphasizing the importance of core engineering courses.