2016 college grads: 81% employed or pursuing advanced degree within 6 months of graduation

Four-fifths of bachelor’s degree graduates from the Class of 2016 were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation, according to a new report published by the NACE Center for Career Development and Talent Acquisition.  The report, First Destinations for the College Class of 2016, shows that approximately 58 percent were employed full time and 5.6 percent were employed part time, while 17.5 percent were pursuing a graduate or professional degree. Slightly more than 16 percent of the class reported they were still seeking a job or further schooling six months following graduation.

These numbers are down slightly from those reported for the Class of 2015—which saw 82 percent of its bachelor’s degree graduates in a job or continuing their education within six months of graduation—but compare favorably to those posted for the Class of 2014, the first class to take part in the survey. (See Figure 1.)

Other highlights from the report include:

• In terms of initial success in the job market—as determined by employment and salary—graduates in computer and information services; engineering; engineering technology; mathematics and statistics; business, management, marketing, and related support services; and the health professions fared best. All exceeded the class averages for employment and salary.
• Those most likely to move on to an advanced degree included graduates in the physical sciences (35.6 percent); biological and biomedical sciences (32.4 percent); philosophy and religious studies (28.1 percent); mathematics and statistics (27.0 percent); parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies (25.6 percent); and public administration and social service professions (25.5 percent).
• By region, graduates in New England reported the highest rates of full-time employment with a traditional employer (64.1 percent). Those in the Far West reported the lowest rates (44.1 percent). Meanwhile, graduates from schools in the Plains region were most likely to continue their education (19.7 percent); those in the Rockies region were least likely to do so (16.7 percent). New England (6.8 percent) and the Plains (9.2 percent) reported the lowest percentages of graduates still seeking either a job or further education. The Southwest (27.4 percent) and Southeast (25.5 percent) had the highest percentages of graduates still seeking.

First Destinations for the College Class of 2016 is available free for download at www.naceweb.org/job-market/graduate-outcomes/first-destination/class-of-2016/ . The report also includes outcomes information for associate, master’s, and doctoral degree graduates.

Written by:  Ace News Today Staff