Increasing Graduation Rates at Low Cost to Taxpayers

Description
Montana 10 enhances the state’s skilled workforce by dramatically increasing the number of Montanans who have two-year and four-year degrees and does so at a lower cost per degree for Montana taxpayers.

Highlights

  • DRIVES DEGREE COMPLETION
    Montana 10 increases graduation rates by leveraging predictive analytics, system-level policy, and an incentive-based model that ties financial incentives to key academic, advising, and career development supports.
  • ENHANCES EFFICIENCY FOR STUDENTS AND THE STATE
    Montana 10 shortens time to degree, reduces student debt, and increases completion rates—all at a lower cost per degree for the state.
  • INCREASES OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL MONTANANS
    Montana’s low-income students are nearly twice as likely as their middle and high-income peers to drop out with some college, no degree, and debt. Montana 10 dramatically increases the likelihood that rural, low-income, American Indian, and other underserved Montanans can earn a college degree.
  • PREPARES MORE MONTANANS FOR A SECURE FUTURE
    A greater share of jobs paying over $50K go to two- and four-year college degree holders. Montana 10 gives more Montanans the chance to secure a good job for themselves and their families.

Proven Outcomes                                                                                                                                                  

  • MORE STUDENTS STAYING IN SCHOOL & GRADUATING
    After two years of a 200- student pilot project, the program has produced an 18% increase in retention for four-year students and doubling on-time degree completion for two-year students compared to peers not in the program.
  • MAKING BETTER PROGRESS TO ON-TIME COMPLETION
    Montana 10 students earned 6 more credits in their first year than their low-income peers, putting them on track to graduate a year earlier, making their degree less costly to themselves and the state.

  • CHANGING BEHAVIORS TO DRIVE SUCCESS
     Montana 10 students are more than 2x as likely as their peers to talk to their advisor about career planning, 4x as likely to get help accessing campus services like financial aid and tutoring, and 7x as likely to talk to an advisor about mental health. 
     

    "The most valuable part of Montana 10 has been the advisors and outreach. I always felt like I mattered, and my problems were addressed and listened to."

--Montana 10 Scholar, University of Montana

MUS Strategic Plan

+ Success Agenda Goal No. 6 (Resident Student Success)

+ Success Agenda Goal No. 3 (Retention)

+ Success Agenda Goal No. 7 (Performance-Based Funding)

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