Research suggests that peer relationships are related to high school completion. However, it is difficult to determine if selection factors or predictive factors are instrumental in peer analyses. For instance, Cairns, Cairns, and Neckerman (1989) found that adolescents who dropped out were likely to have affiliated with other students who had dropped out of high school.

One study found that peer relationships can influence college attendance rates. (Zaff, et al., 2001) found that positive peers influenced college attendance among adolescents in the study. On the other hand, adolescents with peers who were negative influences were found to be less likely to attend college.