2013 ALUMNI SURVEY - Dartmouth College · The 2013 COFHE Alumni survey invitation was sent electronically to 2,726 alumni. Dartmouth has participated in the COFHE Alumni survey since

2013 ALUMNI SURVEY

Highlights

Office of Institutional Research2

INTRODUCTION

The 2013 COFHE Alumni survey invitation was sent electronically to 2,726 alumni.

Dartmouth has participated in the COFHE Alumni survey since 2000.

This report compares Dartmouth with two peer groups for three separate cohorts (1994, 2002, and 2008):

Peer group 1 (Ivy U): consisted of Ivy schools excluding Dartmouth Peer group 2 (Non-Ivy U): included some private schools


METHODS & SAMPLE (cont.)

Dartmouth Response Rates Class of 1994: 180/757 (23.8%) Class of 2002: 242/976 (24.8%) Class of 2008: 309/993 (31.1%) Overall: 731/2,726 (26.8%)

Peer Group Response Rates Group #1 Average: 24.7% (12.9% to 38.9%) Group #2 Average: 29.3% (14.5% to 38.6%)

Dartmouth Demographics

Class of 1994 Class of 2002 Class of 2008

Female 46% 55% 57%

Students of color 11% 17% 27%

International 3% 5% 4%

EDUCATION AND CAREER


Peer Comparisons

GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL

The Dartmouth Class of 1994 enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs at higher rates than Non-Ivy peers.

For the Class of 2002, Dartmouth and Ivy University alumni enrolled at approximately the same percentage while Non-Ivy peers trailed slightly.

For the Class of 2008, both the Ivy and Non-Ivy Universities had higher percentages of alumni enrolled compared to Dartmouth.

78%69%

77% 78% 73%63% 67% 65%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U

% Y

es

Have you enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program since graduating from college?

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons

GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL

Most of the alumni thought their college prepared them very well for graduate or professional school.

Across time, however, Dartmouth alumni’s evaluation of Dartmouth decreased in this area.

68% 71%66% 63%

67%

56%64% 64%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Very well

How well did your college prepare you for graduate or professional school?

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons

JOBS AND CAREERS

The percentage of Dartmouth Class of 1994 and Class of 2002 members employed full-time was comparable to both Ivy and Non-Ivy peers, approximately 80%.

78%82%81% 83% 85%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Yes, employed full time

Are you employed right now?

1994 2002


Peer Comparisons

JOBS AND CAREERS Both Dartmouth and Ivy Universities trailed Non-Ivy peers in the percentage of Class of

2008 members employed full-time.

Among those not employed, the vast majority (over 80%) were furthering their education.

62%58%

69%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Yes, employed full time

Are you employed right now?

81%86%

81%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Furthering education

If you are not employed right now , what is your primary

activity?

Class of 2008


Peer Comparisons

JOBS AND CAREERS

Earlier Dartmouth alumni (Class of 1994 and 2002) were employed in medicine, higher education, and other education industries (elementary or secondary education, adult education) at higher percentages than both sets of peers.

More recent Dartmouth alumni (Class of 2008) were employed within the financial services industry at a higher rate than their peers.

Medicine Higher education Education: Other Financial Services

Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U

1994 13% 9% 13% 8% 5% 3% 12% 7%

2002 17% 14% 10% 15% 11% 9% 10% 5% 4% 8% 10% 10%

2008 6% 8% 10% 8% 9% 8% 9% 9% 6% 16% 14% 10%

Please select the industry that best describes your employer


Peer Comparisons

JOBS AND CAREERS

Dartmouth was on par with Ivy and Non-Ivy alumni for the Classes of 1994 and 2002 on the percentage reporting that their institution had prepared them “very well” for their current career.

Meanwhile, Dartmouth’s Class of 2008 reported lower levels of preparation for their current career compared to previous Dartmouth cohorts, as well as Ivy and Non-Ivy peers.

43% 46%43% 45% 46%37%

44% 42%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Very well

How well did [ your college ] prepare you for your current career?

1994 2002 2008

YOUR LIFE NOW


Peer Comparisons

HOW IMPORTANT IS …

Raising a family Dartmouth’s Class of 1994 reported that this was “essential” at this point in their life

at a higher rate than Non-Ivy peers.

The Dartmouth Class of 2002 reported that this was “essential” at higher rates than both sets of peers.

More recent Dartmouth alumni reported on par with Ivy peers and slightly higher than Non-Ivy peers.

75%63%

43%

23%

39%

19% 19% 17%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Essential

Please indicate how important raising a familyis to you at this point in your life and career

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons


Working for social and political change The Dartmouth Class of 1994 reported this as “essential” or “very important” at

higher rates than Non-Ivy peers. The Dartmouth Class of 2002 reported higher rates than both Ivy and Non-Ivy peers

for this item. Meanwhile, more recent Dartmouth alumni fell between Ivy and Non-Ivy peers.

29%23%

41%35%

24%36% 40%

33%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Very important + Essential

Please indicate how important working for social and political change is to you at this point in your life and career

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons


Being well off financially

Early Dartmouth alumni (Classes of 1994 and 2002) reported this as “essential” or “very important” at lower rates than peers.

For the Class of 2008, Dartmouth and Ivy peers reported this as “essential” or “very important” at lower rates (61% and 58% respectively) compared to Non-Ivy graduates.

67%73%

58%70% 69%

61% 58%65%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Very important + Essential

Please indicate how important being well off financially is to you at this point in your life and career

1994 2002 2008

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOL


Peer Comparisons

HOW WELL DID YOUR SCHOOL PREPARE YOU TO …

Dartmouth graduates, from all cohorts, reported higher percentages of being “very well” prepared compared to Ivy and Non-Ivy peers in the following areas:

Working effectively as a member of a team Being an effective leader Reading or speaking a foreign language

30%22%

31%

13%23%

6%

37%29% 27%

32%27%

17% 19%14% 7%

50%

34% 30%39%

33%26% 22% 19%

13%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U

Work effectively as a member of a team Be an effective leader Read or speak a foreign language

Very well

How well do you think your undergraduate experience at [your college] prepared you to:

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons


Earlier Dartmouth alumni (Class of 1994 and Class of 2002) reported lower percentages of being “very well” prepared compared to both sets of peers in:

Using quantitative tools Thinking analytically and logically

19%

52% 49%

70%

23%29%

48% 46%53%

69%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U

Use quantitative tools Think analytically and logically

Very well

How well do you think your undergraduate experience at [your college] prepared you to:

1994 2002


Peer Comparisons


Dartmouth graduates, from all cohorts, reported lower percentages of being “very well” prepared compared to both sets of peers in:

Gaining in-depth knowledge of a field

30%

43%

28%33%

41%

28%

39% 35%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Very well

How well do you think your undergraduate experience at [your college] prepared you to: Gain in-depth knowledge of a field

1994 2002 2008

UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE


Peer Comparisons

UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE Compared to other Ivy and Non-Ivy alumni, Dartmouth alumni from all cohorts

participated in the following at higher rates while undergraduates:

Community service Internships

70%

49%55%

40%

85%

67% 70% 72%

58% 61%

81%

66%74%

80%

66% 65%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Community service Internships

%Ye

s

While you were an undergraduate, did you...?

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons

UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE Compared to other Ivy and Non-Ivy alumni, Dartmouth alumni from all cohorts

participated in the following at higher rates while undergraduates:

Study abroad NCAA athletics

64%

6%

37%

28%

62%

25%29% 32%

16% 18%

68%

38% 39%

24%20%

14%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Study abroad NCAA athletics

%Ye

s

While you were an undergraduate, did you...?

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons


Non-Ivy alumni received more financial aid as undergraduates than alumni at both Dartmouth and Ivy Universities (all cohort groups).

44%

68%

51% 51%

67%

51% 50%

62%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


%Ye

s

Did you receive any financial aid from your college while you were an undergraduate ?

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons

UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE Dartmouth’s Class of 1994 reported a higher percentage of “no loans” than Non-Ivy

peers.

Dartmouth’s Class of 2002 reported the highest percentage of “no loans” compared to both Ivy and Non-Ivy.

51%

31%

48% 45%

36%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


No loans

What was the total amount you borrowed to finance your education?

1994 2002


Peer Comparisons


More recent Dartmouth graduates (Class of 2008) borrowed at higher percentages in the “$1-$9,999” and “$10,000-$19,999” ranges than both Ivy and Non-Ivy peers.

What was the total amount you borrowed to finance your education?

Class of 2008$1 to $9,999 $10,000 to $19,999

Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U Dartmouth IVY U Non-Ivy U9% 8% 5% 12% 7% 9%

PARENTAL EDUCATION AND HOUSEHOLD INCOME


Peer Comparisons

PARENTAL EDUCATION & HOUSEHOLD INCOME The Dartmouth Class of 1994 reported higher percentages of parents with graduate or

professional degrees than Non-Ivy peers.

The Dartmouth Class of 2002 reported higher percentages of parents with graduate or professional degrees than both Ivy and Non-Ivy peers.

More recent Dartmouth graduates fell in between Ivy and Non-Ivy peers in the percentage of parents with such degrees.

52%43%

56% 54%44%

55%61%

51%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Graduate or Professional Degree

What is the highest level of education completed by your parents or stepparents?

1994 2002 2008


Peer Comparisons

PARENTAL EDUCATION & HOUSEHOLD INCOME The Class of 2008 alumni from all groups (Dartmouth, Ivy, and Non-Ivy) indicated that

their standard of living was not as “far above average” as those in the Class of 1994 or 2002.

Interestingly, even though the more recent graduates did not view their standard of living as high as older alumni, they did view their family's standard of living, when they started college, higher than all American families compared to older alumni.

Thinking back to when you started college, how would you say your family's standard of living compared to all

American families? How would you place yourself today?

Far above averageMy family Me


1994 14% 3% 27% 21%

2002 12% 12% 8% 13% 13% 13%

2008 15% 19% 14% 9% 10% 7%

Documents

2013 ALUMNI SURVEY - Dartmouth College · The 2013 COFHE Alumni survey invitation was sent electronically to 2,726 alumni. Dartmouth has participated in the COFHE Alumni survey since