What numbers do you doubt? The 38% is legit. Since I've came here, I've heard the rates were in the 30s. The 4 year graduation rate is a staggering 14%...yikes.
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegepro...ty-of-akron.htm
http://www.uakron.edu/about_ua/quick_facts.dot
I think the problem lies within the acceptance of many students from a City Series school. Sure there are plenty of others that do not make it, but sitting here, of the people I know that went to high school in Akron (excluding SVSM and Hoban), I can think of two that are still in school (with a sample size of over a dozen). One of those transferred to a school in Florida, and the other will certainly not complete her degree on time, as she took year off to go live it up in Miami.