Predictors of Academic Outcomes among Local-born, Immigrant and International University Students in Canada: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Poor academic performance and dropout are major concerns at post-secondary institutions. Influences include sociodemographic, psychosocial, and academic functioning factors. Canadian literature is limited, and little published data directly compare academic outcomes between local-born, immigrant, and international students. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 2,466 first-year students from a Canadian university over three years. Age, gender, first language, citizenship status, and early academic performance were among the predictors of later performance, dropout and return to studies. Local-born, immigrant, and international students had similarities and differences in risks. Limitations include the retrospective analysis and lack of information on reasons for dropout.