Contact: Erin Hennessy
(202) 939-9365
erin_hennessy@ace.nche.edu
Recent Graduates Give Alma Maters High Grades
Solutions for Our Future National Poll Indicates
Alumni Value Skills, Experience Gained Through Higher Education; Vast
Majority Would Attend Same School Again
Washington, DC (May 20, 2008)—As more than half a
million college and university students receive their diplomas this
spring, the American Council on Education (ACE) and its Solutions for Our Future campaign have
released national survey data that indicates the vast majority of
college graduates—92 percent—believe their education was
worth it, even considering the time and money required to
attend.
The national survey of 1,000 young graduates (25 to 39 years old) of
two- and four-year institutions asked how useful they found their
college education and experiences to be professionally, socially and
intellectually. The respondents represented a diversity of college
graduates:
- 71 percent graduated from a public institution;
- 80 percent were married;
- 62 percent were primarily responsible for paying for their
education; and
- 57 percent reported that they had borrowed to fund their education.
The findings confirm a deep appreciation for the value of their
college education, but also highlight some challenges for higher
education overall.
Among the major findings of the survey are that college graduates
firmly believe they were effectively prepared with the necessary
knowledge and skills upon graduation and that they often use the skills
they learned in college. Among the highest-rated skills acquired are
critical thinking, research and communication skills.
Ironically, while graduates overwhelmingly believe their own college or university charged a fair price
for their education, they report that they believe institutions of
higher education in general are not charging a fair price.
“Recent college graduates are grateful for the skills and
experiences gained through their college or university
education—and are reaping the benefits of that education daily.
This reinforces the fact that institutions of higher education are
central to our nation's future and to the future of the men and women we
educate,” said ACE President Molly Corbett Broad. “It also
highlights work that remains to be done. We must continue to strive to
contain costs, connect our students to the world of work and demonstrate
the benefits of higher education to society as a whole.”
Highlights of the findings include:
Graduates felt effectively prepared with the knowledge and skills
they needed upon graduation (84 percent). (Fig. 1)
- Respondents were asked to reflect back on their undergraduate
experiences and graduates of both two- and four-year institutions
reported high levels of satisfaction with the skills and knowledge they
acquired (88 percent and 84 percent, respectively).
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