Nontraditional-Age Student Enrollment in a Public Regional University: The Role of Individual, Academic, and Financial Factors

The number of Nontraditional-age students has been on the rise in higher education over time, and although this population has been increasing nationwide, there has been a continued decline in nontraditional-age students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). This quantitative study focused on the background characteristics, academic characteristics, and financial characteristics of accepted nontraditional-age undergraduate students in an effort to alter admission strategy and improve enrollment of nontraditional-age students at the institution. The results of a three-step logistic regression model found there were significant predictors of enrollment related to the background characteristics, academic characteristics and financial characteristics utilized in the regression models of the study. The results of the study will be utilized in FGCU Admissions to refine recruitment strategy in an effort to enroll more nontraditional-age undergraduate students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]