The institutions for both the top 10 and bottom 10 three-year cohort default rates showed some trends across the state. For starters, located in the northern or more central part of Arkansas are the institutions with the lowest three-year cohort default rate. The populations here are more predominately white, as opposed to having a larger minority community. There are also a large number of medical institutions in the bottom 10. It can be inferred that the graduates come out of college working jobs in the field that allow them to begin to comfortably make a living and pay down their student loans.
Secondly, all of the highest default rates showed a distinct trend. All of the institutions are located in the lower southern half of the state. The data shows that this area (or surrounding areas) have a highly saturated African-American population. Historically, these areas are more poverty-stricken than other parts of the state. Overall, these institutions are geographically located in a strikingly different position than the institutions with the lowest three-year cohort default rate. In addition, a large majority of the schools with high default rate are classified as beauty schools (Arkansas College of Barbering and Hair Design), or a historically black institution (the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff).
Good narrative on the default rates, the geographic spread and the explanations. The writing was clear and well-organized.
The graphs needs a little more work. Force those labels to appear on the map. You can fiddle with the labels (Label | Show Mark Labels) and then drag them around so they don’t overlap. The maps were basically on target. Would be nice to see what they look like as interactive maps.