Mental health, stress top reasons students consider leaving

WASHINGTON, DC — Thirty-five percent of college students nationally report that they have considered dropping out of their program in the past six months. The most important reason students cite for leaving higher education is their well-being, with 54% reporting emotional stress and 43% citing mental health reasons. The percentage of students who say emotional stress was jeopardizing their continued enrollment doubled between 2020 and 2021 and remains high compared to other factors. Cost remains the third most important reason students have considered leaving their program at 31%.

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The latest results are from Lumina-Gallup Foundation State of Higher Education 2024 Study, held from October 9 to November. 16, 2023, via a web survey of 14,032 current and future college students. This includes 6,015 students currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program (certificate, associate, or baccalaureate degree), 5,012 adults previously enrolled in a program who did not complete the degree, and 3,005 adults who have never been enrolled in a school or program . Gallup surveyed all groups using an online activation panel.

Emotional stress, higher mental health concerns among undergraduate students

Nearly two-thirds of undergraduates who have considered taking a break from their studies (67%) say emotional stress has made them consider leaving, and 56% cite personal mental health reasons. Mental health struggles and emotional stress are slightly more common among undergraduate students than among associate degree students, although about half of students pursuing their associate degree also report emotional stress and mental health as reasons they have considered leaving their program. Far fewer certificate or industry certification students who have considered stopping their courses mention emotional stress or mental health. Students’ reasons for leaving their program have remained relatively consistent over the years within each program type.

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Female students are also more likely to report that they have considered leaving because of their well-being. Sixty-four percent of female college students say they have considered quitting because of emotional stress, compared to 37% of male students. Similarly, 52% of women have considered leaving their program for mental health reasons, compared to 27% of men.

bottom line

General declines in well-being began before the pandemic, and COVID-19 only exacerbated these challenges. Unfortunately, Gallup finds that lower levels of happiness, along with increased negative emotions, continue after the pandemic. In fact, the World Happiness Report confirms that the US has lost its place in the top 20 happiest countries for the first time in the publication’s 12-year history, with the decline partly due to declining happiness among young people. These rising levels of stress, anxiety and worry and lower overall levels of well-being are presenting a significant challenge to institutions focused on student retention and, ultimately, credential or degree attainment.

Although colleges and universities report that they have increased their investments in programs designed to mitigate students’ personal mental health problems and emotional stress, the results of the State of Higher Education study Lumina-Gallup confirms that mental health and stress remain the top reasons students struggle. to remain registered. Much work remains to be done to ensure that institutions retain currently enrolled students while working hard to attract new students amid continued concern about enrollment trends in the US

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Learn more about how the Lumina-Gallup Foundation Higher Education Study works.

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