Comparative Alumni Research: What Matters in College AFTER College.

Comparative Alumni Research:

What Matters in College AFTER College

Alumni Survey Methodology

• Telephone surveys with Lutheran and Non-Lutheran graduates of the following institutions (600 each):

– Lutheran colleges– Other private colleges– Flagship public universities– Other public colleges and universities

• Graduating classes of 1958-1993

• 2400 interviews completed

• Balanced by region of the country

Definition of Flagship Universities

• Flagship public universities = 147 public universities designated as “national universities” in U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Colleges, 1999. They offer a full range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. Many place strong emphasis on research and receive funding for their research endeavors (p.37).

Alumni Profile

Lutheran Flagship

Gender• Female 58% 57%• Male 42% 43%

Education• College degree 65% 68%• Post graduate degree 35% 32%

Median age 45 44

Median household income $62,000 $62,500

Married 81% 76%

Lutheran Colleges and Flagship Public Universities Compete for Similar Students

17%

61% 33%

29% 37%

57%

36%

10% 14%

2%5%

10%

53%

5%

31%

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Otherpublic

Otherprivate

Less/leastselective

Selective

Moreselective

Mostselective

Selectivity Rating of Respondents’ Alma Mater

Source: US News and World Report

THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE

What Matters in College

…although different types of institutions tend to have particular types of environments, … it is the environment created by the faculty and the students - rather than the type of institution per se - that really seems to matter.

Alexander Astin, What Matters in College?

What Matters in College

Our review indicates two persistent themes in the research literature on college effects. The first is the central role of other people in a student’s life, whether students or faculty, and the character of the learning environments they create…The second theme is the potency of the student’s effort and involvement in the academic and non academic systems of the institutions they attend.

Ernest T. Pascarella and Patrick T. Terenzini,

How College Affects Students.

Environment + Involvement = Outcomes

Environment

Alumni of Lutheran Colleges benefited more from the learning environment than alumni of flagship institutions.

Specifically, they benefited from...

86%

79%

71%

76%

79%

79%

69%

86% SHigh quality,teaching-

oriented faculty

Strong overallacademicreputation

Good academicfacilities andequipment

Strongreputation inyour major

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Strong Academic Reputation, Faculty and Facilities

S = Significant difference

Developin91%

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much)

75%

55%

71% S

92% SSafe campusenvironment

Balance betweenacademics andsocial/personaldevelopment

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

A Campus Community Which is Part of the Learning Environment


Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much)

35%

59%

24%

25%

65% S

79% S

83% S

84% SEmphasis onpersonal values

and ethics

Interaction withstudents with

similar values **

Opportunities forspiritual

development *

Integration ofvalues and ethics

in classroomdiscussions **

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

The Integration of Faith and Values Into the College Experience


*Q.1A/1B Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much)

** Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always)

28%

14%

10%

8%

38% S

60% S

60% S

64% SInvolved in churchor religiousactivities*

Learned more aboutyour faith during

college**

College helpedintegrate faith intoother aspects of

life**

There were facultyor staff on whom

you modeledspiritual life**

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

The Integration of Faith and Values Into the College Experience

*Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following?

**Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree)

Had leadership role:

23%

10%

As students, alumni of Lutheran colleges were more involved in all aspects of campus life.

Student Involvement

84%

35%

50%

50%

23%

53% S

77% S

81% S

82% S

96% SMajority of classes taught byprofessors

Faculty were interested in studentspersonally and academically

Personal interaction withprofessors

Professors who challenged, buthelped you meet challenge

Conversations with professorsoutside of class

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Involvement With Faculty


Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (top-two box)

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following? (top-two box)

Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following? (top-two box)

19%

39%

6%

2%

5% S

5% S

7% S

9% S

61% S

48% S

Professors

Older students

Coaches

Academicadvisors

Campus pastor

No One

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Mentoring

Who Was Mentor?

S = Significant differenceQ. 4 Who, if anyone, did you meet at your college who was a

mentor or role model for you?

54%

70%

59%

49%

66% S

83% S

83% S

86% SThere was a sense of communityamong students *

Interaction with other students whoshare your interests **

Interaction with students with similarvalues ***

Friendships developed from classroom experiences ***

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Involvement With Peers

S = Significant difference* Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following? (rating a 4 or 5 on a

five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree)

** Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much)

*** Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always)

26%

17%

14%

10%

11%

36%

25%

37%

27%

10%

Lutheran colleges

Flagship public

Lutheran colleges

Flagship public

Lutheran colleges

Flagship public

Had leadership role Otherwise involved

Extracurricular Involvement

Volunteer or service activities

Intramural athletics

Varsity athletics

62% S

42%

51% S

5%

21% S

37%

Total Involved

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following?

15%

5%

8%

29%

13%

8%

17%

17%

15%

9%

33%

24%

Lutheran colleges

Flagship public

Lutheran colleges

Flagship public

Lutheran colleges

Flagship public

Had leadership role Otherwise involved

Music or theatre performances

Campus publications or student government

Academic clubs

39% S

18%

16%

26% S

Total Involved

50%

44%

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following?

Extracurricular Involvement

Outcomes

Compared to graduates of public flagship universities, graduates of Lutheran colleges rate their colleges as...

75%

75%

74%

75%

76%

77%

Solving problems

Thinkinganalytically

The ability to learnnew skills

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Equally Effective in Developing General Critical Thinking Skills

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)

64%

50%

44%

45%

58% S

67% S

67% S

72% SWriting effectively

Speaking effectively

Appreciating Fine Arts

Placing problems in social andhistorical perspective

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

More Effective in Developing Communication Skills and Arts Appreciation

S = Significant differenceQ.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4

or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)

63%

48%

60%

47%

63% S

53% S

68% S

64% Relating to peopleof different

backgrounds

Being politically orsocially aware

Working as partof a team

Being a leader

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

More Effective in DevelopingInterpersonal Skills

S = Significant differenceQ.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or

5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)

59%

50%

70% S

52%

Being prepared foryour first job

Being prepared forcareer change

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

More Effective in Preparing Students For Careers



57%

76% S

Having a sense ofpurpose in life

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

More Effective in Helping Students Develop a Sense of Purpose



Compared to graduates of public flagship universities, Lutheran college graduates...

Are Much More Likely to Graduate in Four Years or Less

60%

82% S

Lutheran college alumni Flagship public alumni


Q.18 How many years did it take for you to complete your four-year degree?

Are Equally Likely to Earn a Graduate or Professional Degree

Are Likely to Earn Equal Incomes

Aspire to Use Their Best Abilities, to Be Leaders, and to Continue to Learn

53%

65%

52%

50%

25%

39% S

61% S

74% SUse your best skillsand abilities

Have opportunity tolearn new information

and skills

Have authority tomake decisions

Provide directionthrough a leadership

role

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

It is Important To. . .


Q.19 How important is it to you to. . .? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important)

13%

63%

53%

34%

58% S

71% S

75% S

23% S

Raise a family

Be free to considerthe moral and ethical

sides of decisions

Integrate faith withother aspects of life

Be well-off financially

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Place Higher Value on Family, Ethical and Religious Concerns Than Financial Advantage




28%

26%

15%

27% S

41% S

45% SPromote racialequality or other

social justice issues

Contribute to yourcommunity

Affiliate withorganizations that

help thedisadvantaged

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Place Higher Value on Community Concerns




69%

50%

29%

49% S

63% S

79% SInvolved with foundations or

non-profit organizations

Involved with elementary orsecondary school

Involved with yourundergraduate college or

university

Lutherancolleges

Flagshippublic

Are More Likely to be Active, Contributing Members in Their Communities

Financial support

75%

64%

47%

50%

39%

28%

Recent Involvement in Volunteer Activities


Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity . . . ? Have you financially supported. . . ?

WHAT MATTERS TO PARENTS

Lutheran Parent Survey Methodology

• Surveys mailed to members of ELCA and LCMS churches:

– Parents of 9th grade students– Parents of 10th grade students

• A total of 3000 surveys mailed

• Qualified families had student in 9th or 10th grade who planned to go to college; 95% qualified

• Overall response rate of 30%

Parent Profile

Education• Not a college graduate 44%• Public college or university graduate 41%• Other private college graduate 8%• Lutheran college graduate 7%

Gender• Female 77%• Male 23%

Married 89%

Income• Less than $50,000 31%• $50,000-74,999 37%• $75,000 or more 32%

Campus community

Academic reputation and facilities

Spiritual growth opportunities

Involvement with faculty

Alternative study opportunities

Extracurricular involvement

What Matters to Parents: Experiences

* % rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=“not at all important,” and 5=“extremely important”

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Extremely Important*Undergraduate Experiences

Parents Credit Lutheran Colleges with a Positive Campus Community

71% 75%

47%

1% 1% 1%

28% 24%

51%

Safe campus environment Sense of community oncampus

Interaction with studentssharing similar values and

interests

Lutheran college Public university No difference

Parents: Q.11, 16 Where do you think students would be more likely to find. . . ?

Parents: Where Will Students Find. . .

Extremely 81% 42% 31% Important:

37%

19%14% 10%7%

16%26% 28%

56%65%

60% 63%

High quality,teaching oriented

faculty

Strong overallacademic reputation

Reputation forexcellence in major

Good academicfacilities andequipment


Parents: Q.11 Where do you think students would be more likely to find. . . ?


Parents See No Difference in Strong Academic Reputation and Facilities

Extremely 68% 60% 66% 57% Important:

Spiritual Growth Opportunities Expected at Lutheran Colleges

91% 86% 86%80%

1% 1%9% 13% 14%

20%

Learning more aboutfaith

Emphasis on personalvalues and ethics

Meeting people on whomto model spiritual life

Integration of values andethics in classroom


Parents: Q.11, 13,16 Where do you think students would be more likely to find. . . ?



Most Parents Know Lutheran Colleges Promote Faculty Involvement

64% 61% 59% 59%

1% 4% 2% 2%

35% 34%40% 39%

Mentoring relationships All classes taught byprofessors

Conversations withprofessors outside of

class

Professors who challengebut help students





Parents Don’t Recognize the Availability of Other Learning Opportunities at Lutheran Colleges

16% 13% 10%

24%18%

28%

60%69%

63%

Faculty directed researchor independent study

Internships or otherapplied learning

International study




Extremely 11% 33% 9% Important:

Parents See No Difference in Extracurricular Opportunities

39%

17% 18%13%

2%9% 8%

21%

59%

74% 74%66%

Volunteering orcommunity service

Involvement inacademic clubs

Participating inmusic or theatre

Participating inintramural sports



Parents: Where Will Students Find. . . Extremely 11% 12% 13% 8% Important:

What Matters to Parents: Bottom Line


Characteristics of College

Affordable Cost

Employment Opportunities

Graduation in Four Years

Extremely Important *

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Most Parents Don’t Recognize the Greater Chance of Graduating in Four Years

9%

27%

12%

59%

5%

21%

32%

69% 67%

Affordable cost Likelihood to graduate in fouryears

Employment opportunities aftergraduation



Parents: Where Will Students Find. . . Extremely 75% 52% 66% Important:

Sense of purpose in life

Critical thinking and communication skills

Career preparation

Strong personal values

Interpersonal skills

Spiritual development

Contributing to the community

Being well-off financially

What Matters to Parents: Outcomes


Extremely Important*

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Undergraduate Outcomes

Of these outcomes, parents:

• recognize Lutheran colleges are better at developing strong personal values and integrating faith with other aspects of life

• accurately note there is no difference between Lutheran colleges and public universities in preparing graduates to be well-off financially

• concluded there were no differences for all other outcome areas, even though Lutheran college graduates gave higher ratings than public university graduates on each of them

Many Parents Don’t Have Strong Awareness or Impressions of Lutheran Colleges

17%

36%

23%

45%

No Impression of Lutheran colleges

Highest national awareness of anyLCMS college*

Highest national awareness of anyELCA college**

Mentioned a Lutheran college theywould consider for son/daughter

When asked about Lutheran Colleges they were aware of:

* Among LCMS parents ** Among ELCA parents

Q.9 Overall, what are your impressions of Lutheran colleges?Q.5 What Lutheran colleges are you aware of? Q.6 What Lutheran colleges would you consider for your son or daughter?

Perhaps because parents:

• misperceive the importance of key elements of the college experience

• misperceive where they are most likely to find key elements and experiences

• have limited awareness of Lutheran colleges

They Don’t Perceive Major Differences in Quality

30%35%

13%

62% 62%

82%

8%3% 5%

Main Public Universities Other State Universities Other Private Colleges

Better than Same as Not as good as

Q.7 If costs were equal, please rate the quality of education you believe a student receives at a Lutheran college compared to:

Lutheran Colleges Compared to Other School Types

How Do Parents Who Favor Lutheran Colleges Differ From Those Who Don’t?

• no consistent differences by:– gender of parent or child– synod– what they believe a Lutheran education to cost

• differences occurred by:– perceptions of Lutheran colleges– perceptions of public universities– involvement in the Church– parent’s educational level– the type of college they attended– primary responsibility for paying for college

Results of discriminant analysis

45%

30%

14%

13%

19%

13%

1%

31%

20%

1%

1%

37%

0%

19%

Challenging

Intellectual

Practical

Prestigious

Challenging

Mediocre

Intellectual

LutheranColleges Better(n=218)

LutheranColleges NotBetter (n=485)*

Impressions of Lutheran Colleges:

Impressions of Public Universities:

“Challenging” is a Differentiating Impression for Both Types of Institutions

* Rating “about the same” or “not as good as publics” on the following:If costs were equal, please rate the quality of education you believe a student

receives at a Lutheran college compared to main public universities

58%

47%

31%

13%

24%

17%

33%

23%

15%

0%

32%

28%

Friendly

Challenging

Intellectual

Innovative

Challenging

Practical

Very Enthusiastic(n=214)

Not Enthusiastic(n=265)*

Differentiating Variables Based on Parent Enthusiasm Toward Lutheran Colleges

“Friendly,” “Challenging” and “Intellectual” are the Lutheran College Impressions that Foster Enthusiasm

Impressions of Lutheran Colleges:

Impressions of Public Universities:

* Rating a 1, 2 or 3 on a 5-point scale, where 1=not at all enthusiastic and 5=very enthusiastic on the following question:

How enthusiastic would you be if your child considered Lutheran colleges?

Lutheran colleges must:

• document their academic rigor and practical value

• educate parents about the importance of an involving educational experience

• explain the availability of financial aid

• make college more affordable through financing options

Comparative Alumni Research: What Matters in College AFTER College.

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