LIMASSOL, CYPRUS – February 7, 2026 — EssayShark, a U.S.-based academic support platform, released research findings examining college student dropout trends in the United States and factors influencing degree completion over recent decades.
According to research compiled by EssayShark, approximately one in four students leave college after their first year, and about 53% of students consider dropping out at some point during a four-year academic program. The company stated that the data reflects a long-term shift in student retention patterns when compared with historical benchmarks.
The research notes that overall dropout rates have declined over time. High school non-completion rates accounted for approximately 17% in 1967, compared with 5% in 2022. EssayShark’s analysis also indicates that the proportion of students who left higher education without completing a degree declined from 66.3% in 1996 to 50.9% in 2017, which the company attributes in part to expanded academic support systems.
EssayShark reported that dropout rates vary by field of study. According to the findings, students enrolled in computer science programs accounted for approximately 10.7% of reported withdrawals, followed by students in advertising, agriculture, art, and architecture programs. The research also found that male students consistently represented a higher percentage of dropouts than female students by approximately 10%.
Financial constraints were cited as a leading factor influencing student withdrawal decisions. The research indicates that roughly 30% of students who left college reported affordability concerns, including tuition costs cited by 52% of respondents and supplemental expenses such as textbooks and academic materials cited by 50%. Additional factors identified in the analysis included motivation-related challenges (24%) and mental health considerations (18%).
“Even after reviewing available dropout statistics, there is no single profile that reliably predicts whether a student will leave college,” said Melissa Mae, an EssayShark research consultant involved in the study. “The findings suggest that a wide range of students may face circumstances that influence their decision to discontinue their studies.”
The research further notes that while dropout rates have declined, a significant number of students continue to leave higher education without completing a degree. EssayShark reported that re-enrollment rates remain limited, accounting for approximately 2% to 4% of students, based on available data.
According to EssayShark, the findings highlight affordability and access to mental health resources as recurring considerations in discussions related to student retention. The company stated that continued evaluation of these factors may support efforts to improve degree completion outcomes.
Additional information about the research and EssayShark’s academic support services is available on the company’s website.
About EssayShark
EssayShark is a U.S.-based academic support platform founded in 2011 that provides writing and research assistance services to students.
For more detail visit Website: https://essayshark.com
Media Contact
EssayShark
Nayeli Ellen, Chief Marketing Officer
Email: support@essayshark.com
Website: https://essayshark.com
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