In 2007, only 34% of U.S. college students graduated with a bachelor’s degree in four years or less. A new longitudinal study investigated whether binge drinking, marijuana use, and illicit drug use during the first semester of freshman year of college were related to (1) time to graduation and alcohol-related problems in adulthood and (2) achievements in young adulthood. Participants (n = 2,050 for the first research question and n = 575 for the second) were U.S. college students aged 17 to 19 years in 2004 who participated in a larger longitudinal study and completed a follow-up survey between 2012 and 2015. Measures at follow-up included employment status, income, home ownership, marriage, graduate education, and alcohol-related problems. Results of statistical modeling and path analysis indicated marijuana use and binge drinking were significantly associated with a longer time to graduation, while use of other drugs was not. Results showed that by follow-up, respondents who graduated in five to six years had 48% lower odds of achieving milestones in young adulthood, 53% lower odds of obtaining a graduate degree, and were more likely to have higher levels of alcohol-related problems, compared to those who graduated in four years or less. Those who graduated in seven or more years had 40% lower odds of living independently and 31% lower odds of obtaining a graduate degree, compared to their peers who graduated within four years. Time to graduation significantly predicted future income.

Take away: In this study, frequent binge drinking and marijuana use during freshman year of college predicted delayed graduation, which was associated with lower financial achievement and greater likelihood of future alcohol-related problems. Substance use interventions during freshman year of college may promote timely graduation and success in adulthood.

Citation: Wilhite ER, Ashenhurst JR, Marino EN, et al. (2017). Freshman year alcohol and marijuana use prospectively predict time to college graduation and subsequent adult roles and independence [published online ahead of print June 15 2017].  Journal of American College Health. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2017.1341892