Numerous studies suggest that attendance may be one of the key factors which influence student performance. Although there have been many studies in introductory science courses, there have been virtually no studies which analyze and compare students' performance from different types of institutions as well as different level of classes. Our study was aimed to identify if attendance influences students' success in chemistry courses at high and low levels in two different schools: Southern Arkansas University and Cochise College. We analyzed advanced courses at the Southern Arkansas University: Organic Chemistry I and Biochemistry I; and lower level courses at Cochise College: Fundamental Chemistry, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II. Our results show that regardless of the course level or type of institution, majority of students who attended 95% or more classes throughout the semester showed successful performance: on average 72.9 % got "B and above" vs. 27.1 % received C and below grades in Southern Arkansas University; average 74.5 % got "B and above" compared to 25.5 % C "and below" grades in Cochise College. Based on our findings, we believe that encouraging attendance is one of many steps instructors can take to help students achieve better performance. (Contains 2 tables.)