Outcomes among College Students in Online Courses: Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Authors
Bubnova, Elena V
Issue Date
2025
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
community colleges , course retention , COVID-19 , online courses , online math , recent high school graduates
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the success of recent high school graduates enrolled in college online courses through an examination of online course retention rates before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative methodology was used to analyze how the shift to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the preparedness of recent high school graduates and their subsequent success in online college courses. Existing data were collected with a focus on academic and socio-economic factors, retention rates of online courses in college among two cohorts of recent high school students who enrolled in college before and after the pandemic. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, chi-square test for independence, multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. These analyses were used to answer the research question: How has college student retention in online courses been impacted when examining key variables before and after the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings revealed that, while most demographic variables remained stable across time periods, minoritized students were more likely to enroll in online courses post-pandemic, and ACT Composite Scores declined slightly. However, GPA emerged as the strongest predictor of online course retention. Retention rates improved slightly after the pandemic, suggesting enhanced online learning environments and student adaptability. It is recommended that institutions invest in academic support services, such as structured tutoring and early intervention strategies, and continue to refine online course delivery to promote equitable access and persistence, particularly for underrepresented student populations.