The Impact of Student Experiences on Progress in College: An Examination of Minority and Nonminority Differences

Although the literature has suggested that minority and nonminority students often have different experiences and perceptions of these experiences in college, the findings of this study suggest that the relationship between college experiences and progress are quite similar for the two groups. This finding reinforces the need to further explore how minority and nonminority students interpret their college experience and whether satisfaction with their college experience emanates from similar types of activities, relationships, and environments. Understanding this next component, especially as increasing numbers of minority students enroll in college, will unquestionably help colleges and universities to create an atmosphere and culture conducive to progress in college, persistence, and graduation.