High schools make the “dropout factory” list when then they have a 60% or lower cohort graduation rate over four years. Now, colleges and universities are under the microscope, and based on Jay Mathews report on a Washington Monthly article, they should be. While encouraging my students to take a rigorous course of study in high school, I have warned them for years that “universities are more than happy to take your money and send you home,” but never in my wildest dreams did I believe that a college could have a six-year, not four-year, graduation rate of 4.98%.

You have to see it to believe it. So, here is a listing of the bottom ten:

1. Southern University at New Orleans, La. 4.98 percent
2. Allen University, S.C. 6.09
3. Martin University, Ind. 6.67
4. Bellevue University, Neb. 6.99
5. Calumet College of Saint Joseph, Ind. 7.14
6. Baker College of Auburn Hills, Mich. 7.14
7. Visible School--Music and Worships Arts College, Ind. 7.50
8. University of the District of Columbia, D.C. 7.94
9. Saint Augustine's College, N.C. 8.24
10. Nyack College, N.Y. 7.9

My reaction is simple. You can’t make this up!

Share this with your counselors and encourage them to read the article. It is an eye opener.