Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between the private postsecondary students, both persisters and nonpersisters, regarding the commitment to their academic goals as well as the relationship to four moderating variables: academic readiness, self-esteem, support from significant people, and financial concerns. The levels of comnmitment might then be construed to reflect retention rates. Methodology. The study was conducted at two private, postsecondary business colleges. The questionnaire method was used for this study. The research questions were developed based on the dependent variable commitment and four independent variables: academic readiness, self-esteem, support from significant others, and financial concerns. Written responses from the students were recorded and, using Pearson's correlation between commitment and the independent variables tables with analyses for each relationship, were established. Findings. The results of the study indicated that, during the first week of classes, the total population had a strong commitment to its academic goals. One hundred of these students persisted through the first six weeks and nineteen students were nonpersisters. This study showed no positive correlation between the persisters and nonpersisters for commitment to academic goals and the four independent variables. Implications. The results of this research support the findings of the literature review that indicate there is no one cause that provides a total effect on persistence.