Class of 2017: 80% of college grads either employed or continuing education

More than four-fifths of Class of 2017 graduates were employed or taking part in additional education within six months of graduation, according to results of a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). These results are nearly identical to those for the Class of 2016.

NACE’s Class of 2017 First-Destination Survey, which provides data on the outcomes associated with a college education on a national scale, shows that 63.7 percent of 2017 graduates at the bachelor’s-degree level were employed within six months of graduation, which mirrors the 63.5 percent of 2016 graduates who were employed six months post-graduation. (See Figure 1.)

Other results for both classes are closely aligned. In fact, the outcomes percentages for graduates continuing their educations are identical. Likewise, the mean and median starting salaries for these classes are separated by less than $750 and $250, respectively.

The biggest difference – but still less than 1 percentage point – is among those still seeking an outcome, with fewer 2017 graduates reporting this result.

Figure 1: First-destination outcomes, Classes of 2016 and 2017

(Source: Class of 2017 First-Destination Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers)

The Class of 2017 First-Destination Survey covers those graduating from July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017, and was conducted July 1 – December 30, 2017. Approximately 375 colleges and universities took part. Data were reported to NACE through April 2018. At the bachelor’s-degree level, data were collected for 549,664 graduates, representing nearly 30 percent of the 2017 graduating class at that level. This is the fourth college class for which outcomes data have been collected and reported on a national level.

The full survey report for the Class of 2017, featuring data for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level degrees, will be available later this fall through the NACE website.

View complete results for the Class of 2016 here.

(Source: NACE)

~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter