Date Presented
Spring 5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Economics
First Advisor
Jessica Scheld, PhD
Second Advisor
Edward DeClair, PhD
Third Advisor
Michael Craig, PhD
Abstract
College retention rates are a frequently discussed topic amid declining retention and increasing time to degree completion. My research will evaluate whether a targeted nudging program has any impact on second-year students retaining to their third year at University of Lynchburg. Nudging defined as, “…any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people's behaviour in a predictable way without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives…” as discussed by Thaler and Sunstein (2008). I will analyze the outcome of nudging student behavior via weekly text alerts centered around Academic, Social, Career, and/or Financial information students have self-selected to receive has on GPA and, post-graduation, retention rates. I find there is no significant difference in GPA between the control and test group. However, the additional alerts do provide an increase in average attendance of events. Results of this study provide knowledge on implementation of a low-cost program that has the potential to increase student engagement.
Recommended Citation
Mills, Sara, "The Effect of Information Interventions on Retention among University of Lynchburg Students" (2020). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 173.
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/utcp/173