Greeks and Grades: The First-Year Experience
Abstract
After reviewing institutional records for more than 3,000 students, the authors consider how new members of Greek organizations at a Midwestern university performed academically when compared to non-Greeks, in terms of their predicted versus actual grade point averages and whether joining during the first or second semester made a difference in their performance. Implications for improving the first-year experience of Greek members are explored.
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Women who were Greek affiliated had a retention rate of 84.0% in their first year, compared to 74.0% for women who were not Greek affiliated.
“DeBard, Lake, and Binder (2006) found that women who were Greek affiliated had a retention rate of 84.0% in their first year, compared to 74.0% for women who were not Greek affiliated.”
From Declining Participation in Fraternity and Sorority Life: a Comparison of Perceptions of Greek-lettered Organizations Between Affiliated and Non-affiliated Students (2025) · cites this paper as DeBard, Lake, and Binder, 2006
Males who were Greek affiliated had a retention rate of 83.0%, compared to 71.0% for unaffiliated males.
“The retention rates were similar for males, with rates of 83.0% being reported for affiliated males and 71.0% for unaffiliated males.”
From Declining Participation in Fraternity and Sorority Life: a Comparison of Perceptions of Greek-lettered Organizations Between Affiliated and Non-affiliated Students (2025) · cites this paper as DeBard, Lake, and Binder, 2006
Sorority alumni and non-affiliated students were more satisfied with their academic performance than were fraternity alumni.
“In a study of 2,200 alumni who were either affiliated or unaffiliated, results revealed that sorority alumni and non-affiliated students were more satisfied with their academic performance than were fraternity alumni (DeBard et al., 2006;Pascarella, Edison, Whitt, et al., 1996;Whipple, 1998).”
From Declining Participation in Fraternity and Sorority Life: a Comparison of Perceptions of Greek-lettered Organizations Between Affiliated and Non-affiliated Students (2025) · cites this paper as DeBard et al., 2006
Cites
Pike, G. R. (2000) · Research in Higher Education · doi:10.1023/a:1007046513949 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
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Greek Membership: The Relationship with First-Year Academic Performance
DeBard, R., & Sacks, C. (2011) · Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice · doi:10.2190/cs.13.1.f · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Influence of Fraternity and Sorority Involvement: A Critical Analysis of Research (1996–2013)
(2014) · ASHE Higher Education Report · doi:10.1002/aehe.20012 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Shirley, Z. E. (2025) · University of North Texas Dissertation · doi:10.12794/metadc500187
- Authors
- DeBard, R., Lake, T., & Binder, R. S.
- Venue
- NASPA Journal
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-02
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 56-68
- ISSN
- 0027-6014 (ISSN-L)
- 1559-5455
- OpenAlex
- W2032962180
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- NASPA Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education Research Studies
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Outcomes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education Practises and Engagement
- Keywords
- Greek life, fraternities and sororities, first-year experience, academic performance, grade point average, student retention, university students
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