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March 25, 2009 12:31 PM

Try to Guess These Four-Year College Graduation Rates

By
Lynn O'Shaughnessy
(MoneyWatch)  Here's a shocker: Going to a brand-name college won't necessarily improve the odds that a student will graduate in four years.

Don't believe me?

Let's see how well you do guessing which of the following colleges have the highest and lowest four-year graduation rates:
  • UCLA
  • Ohio State University
  • Juniata College (PA)
  • University of Texas
  • University of Southern California
  • Georgia State University
  • University of Wisconsin
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Utah
  • University of Arizona
Ready? Here are the four-year graduation rates for those 10 schools:

1. Juniata College 74%
2. University of Michigan 70%
3. University of Southern California 65%
4. UCLA 59%
5. University of Texas 46%
6. University of Wisconsin 44%
7. Ohio State University 39%
8. University of Arizona 30%
9. University of Utah 21%
10. Georgia State University 15%

Okay that's not fair. I threw my daughter's school, Juniata College, into the mix -- and who has ever heard of it? Let's try this again. But this time, I'm going to make the list even harder:
  • University of North Carolina
  • Centre College (KY)
  • University of Colorado
  • Transylvania University (KY)
  • Miami (Ohio) University
  • Penn State University
  • University of Missouri
  • Illinois Wesleyan University
  • Union College, (NY)
  • Indiana University
Here are their four-year graduation rates:

1. Union College 86%
2. Centre College 78%
3. Illinois Wesleyan University 76%
4. University of North Carolina 71%
5. Miami University 68%
6. Transylvania University 67%
7. Penn State University 56%
8. Indiana University 50%
9. University of Missouri 40%
10. University of Colorado 38%

Didn't do so great the second time either?

Then, if you have a son or daughter nearing college and you want to increase the chances that their tuition will be paid in four years, check four-year graduation rates of any colleges or universities at The Education Trust website.

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
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