Understanding Patterns of College Outcomes among Student Veterans

Abstract

Even as we expect an increase in veteran student enrollment in higher education, little attention has been paid to the role students’ background characteristics and college experiences play in college outcomes among student veterans. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in precollege characteristics and college experiences between veteran and nonveteran students and a predictive power of being a veteran student on college outcomes. Using data from the 2008 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES), the study conducted cross tabulations and blocked multiple regression analyses on two college outcomes: college GPA and sense of belonging. Results demonstrate that student veteran status is negatively associated with college GPA. The origins of the negative effect of being a veteran student are discussed.