Measuring Adult Student Gains and Satisfaction After Earning an Undergraduate

Continuing Education Degree

Jim Fong, UPCEA

Amanda Mason-Singh, Hobsons

Objective and Methodology• UPCEA’s Center for Research and Consulting (CRC), in partnership with Hobsons,

has conducted multi-year studies on adult student gains and satisfaction after earning a bachelor’s from a U.S. college or university. The objective of the research has been to measure how the undergraduate degree has impacted adult learners’ careers and personal lives. The data represents only degree completers.

• Between the two studies, a total of 1,706 individuals were surveyed.

• In 2013, a benchmark study of 988 adults was conducted with adults interested in completing or starting a bachelor’s degree but have not or cannot due to a variety of factors.

Summary: Fall 2013 Study• Key Findings:

– Salaries increase, especially after four years of earning the degree. Smaller but more

frequent raises are often hurdles to those considering a degree.

– Financial aid and student support/advising were reported as being the most used

campus services.

– Greater job security, especially after four years of receiving the degree.

– Increase in likelihood to receive a promotion or have a career change.

– Improved confidence and job security (without necessarily having to change jobs).

– More analysis needed on impact of degree type and other demographics.

Study Demographics

201411%

201318%

201217%2011

15%

201016%

200910%

20087%

Before 20086%

What year did you graduate?

25 to 3447%

35 to 4423%

45 to 5420%

55 to 649%

65 or over1%

Which age category do you fall into?

Study Demographics: Age and Year of GraduationAround three-quarter of respondents (77%) had graduated in the last five years, while 70% were under 45.

Study Demographics: Major

Business24%

Liberal arts20%

Communication and technology… Social

sciences10%

Nursing9%

Health6% Science

6%

Education5%

Arts and architecture3%

Engineering3%

Other2%

MajorPercent of

Respondents

Business 24%

Liberal arts 20%

Communication and technology

12%

Social sciences 10%

Nursing 9%

Health 6%

Science 6%

Education 5%

Arts and architecture 3%

Engineering 3%

Other 2%

Age Groups by Degree Type

36%

40%

43%

43%

50%

50%

62%

66%

66%

81%

26%

28%

25%

23%

21%

22%

19%

15%

19%

13%

29%

22%

23%

17%

23%

18%

12%

9%

11%

4%

10%

9%

9%

15%

5%

8%

7%

9%

4%

Business

Communication…

Nursing

Social sciences

Health

Liberal arts

Education

Arts and…

Science

Engineering

25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 or over

Engineering was dominated by the 25 to 34 year old age bracket and was the youngest degree. Science was the second youngest degree. There is a trend towards younger students in STEM fields while older students tended more towards business and communication.

Older Students

Younger Students

Degree Satisfaction

Extremelysatisfied

39%

Verysatisfied

36%

Somewhatsatisfied

20%

Not verysatisfied

4%

Not at allsatisfied

1%

Seventy-five percent of respondents were extremely or very satisfied with their degrees. Overall, people view their degree as satisfying and only 5% of respondents were not very or not at all satisfied with their degrees.

Satisfaction by Degree Type

21%

29%

37%

37%

40%

37%

43%

39%

37%

58%

37%

34%

35%

36%

35%

38%

33%

38%

47%

33%

30%

34%

22%

21%

21%

17%

17%

19%

16%

7%

7%

4%

4%

5%

4%

7%

5%

5%Science

Arts and…

Liberal arts

Education

Business

Health

Social sciences

Communication…

Engineering

Nursing

Extremely satisfied Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied

Nurses were by far the most positive about their degree with 58% saying they were extremely satisfied with their degree. Satisfaction levels of at least somewhat satisfied was similar across all degrees and dissatisfaction was commonly under 10%.

More Satisfied

Less Satisfied

Life After the Degree

Summary: People go to college most commonly to advance in their careers. The type of degree they choose is important and results in more promotions and raises. Engineering and nursing are the degrees that are most powerful in the workplace, gaining earners the most career advancements.

Reasons for College and Outcomes

More money Career advancement Personal accomplishmentDeveloping marketable

skills

Been promoted withinthe same organization

28% 46% 41% 29%

Received a raise for thesame position

39% 38% 27% 23%

Obtained a better job ata different organization

33% 42% 42% 43%

Changed fields or career 28% 20% 31% 43%

People meet their goals for going to college, as their careers changed after earning their degree. When they wanted to earn more money, the most common outcome in their career was receiving a raise for the same position. When they wanted to advance their career they were promoted within the same organization or obtained a better job at a different organization.

Reason for attending

Career Outcome

Why Adults Go Back to College

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Education

Engineer

Business

Nursing

Comm. and tech.

Health

Social sciences

Arts and arch.

Science

Careeradvancement

Personalaccomplishment

Developingmarketable skills

More money

Career advancement is the most influential reason to go back to college across all degrees. Students that entered engineering saw it as a way to earn more money. Students in the arts and architecture, science and liberal arts saw their degrees as a way to increase their marketable skills as well as a personal accomplishments.

Career advance-

ment

Personal accomplish-

ment

Developing marketable

skills

More money

Science 34% 23% 33% 11%

Liberal arts 34% 29% 31% 7%

Arts and arch. 41% 25% 30% 5%

Social sciences 41% 31% 19% 9%

Health 51% 15% 16% 18%

Comm. and tech. 56% 20% 17% 7%

Nursing 60% 16% 16% 8%

Business 60% 15% 11% 15%

Engineer 65% 7% 7% 21%

Education 67% 12% 11% 11%

Personal/Marketable

Career/Money

Career Advancements by Degree Types

EngineerComm. and

tech.Business Nursing

Socialsciences

Science Liberal arts Health Arts and arch. Education

Been promoted withinthe same organization

55% 47% 45% 42% 36% 35% 34% 30% 25% 19%

Received a raise for thesame position

84% 44% 54% 62% 34% 43% 28% 41% 35% 40%

Obtained a better job ata different organization

34% 50% 40% 40% 41% 38% 41% 48% 63% 49%

Changed fields or career 18% 27% 35% 9% 59% 38% 42% 33% 38% 48%

Engineering, communication and technology, business and nursing were the top degrees to earn a promotion within the same organization. Receiving a raise for the same position was most common for engineering, nursing, business and science. Obtaining a better job at a different organization and changing fields or career was most commonly seen in education, arts and architecture, liberal arts and social sciences.

Work Experience Affects on Careers

29%

39% 42%48%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Been promoted within the same organization

Promotions or changing organizations to receive a better job increased, as is expected, as experience increased. Receiving a raise for the same position leveled off after 5-6 years of experience most likely due to seeing a promotion after that time. Changing fields decreases after 3-4 years this is probably due to people settling into their field.

37% 39%47%

51%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Obtained a better job at a different organization

29%

39%

57% 57%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Received a raise for the same position

30%39% 36% 36%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Changed fields or career

Degree Choice Impacts CareerEngineers and nurses have more stable and better returns for promotions within the same organization and receiving a raise for the same position than arts and architecture and social sciences. They tend to stay with the same organization as well for at least four years more. They also change fields or careers at a much lower rate for at least six years

0%

100%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Been promoted within the same organization

Engineering Nursing Arts and architecture Social sciences

0%

100%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Received a raise for the same position

Engineering Nursing Arts and architecture Social sciences

0%

100%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Obtained a better job at a different organization

Engineering Nursing Arts and architecture Social sciences

0%

100%

1-2 yearsexperience

3-4 yearsexperience

5-6 yearsexperience

7+ yearsexperience

Changed fields or career

Engineering Nursing Arts and architecture Social sciences

Career Progress Within Degree Types

Did not progressBelow average

progressionAverage

progressionAbove average

progression

Science 18% 9% 17% 57%

Social sciences 13% 11% 17% 59%

Business 8% 12% 18% 63%

Comm. and tech. 6% 5% 16% 73%

Engineering 2% 4% 15% 78%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

On a scale from 1 to 10, where “1” is nowhere near your goals and “10” is on track with your career goals, how would you rate where you are (a) before you enrolled in your degree-granting institution, (b) immediately

after earning your undergraduate degre

Less Progress

More Progress

0%

100%

Did notprogress

Below averageprogression

Averageprogression

Above averageprogression

Business

Under $50,000 $50,001 to $100,000 $100,001 to $150,000 Over $150,000

Money Defines Success

0%

100%

Did notprogress

Below averageprogression

Averageprogression

Above averageprogression

Nursing

0%

100%

Did notprogress

Below averageprogression

Averageprogression

Above averageprogression

Communication and technology

0%

100%

Did notprogress

Below averageprogression

Averageprogression

Above averageprogression

Social science

Impact of Degree on Personal Income

Increased55%

Decreased10%

Stayed about the same

35%

How has your personal income changed?

88%

71%

65%

60%

60%

56%

53%

48%

43%

39%

48%

8%

13%

9%

8%

8%

9%

9%

16%

14%

10%

10%

21%

22%

31%

32%

35%

38%

43%

41%

47%

43%

Engineering

Education

Arts and architecture

Business

Communication…

Nursing

Health

Liberal arts

Social sciences

Science

Other

Income changes by degree type

Increased Decreased Stayed about the same

Personal Income Increases by Degree TypeDegree Types Average increase in personal income Average career progression

Engineering $ 40,718 7.5

Nursing $ 27,038 8.0

Communication and technology $ 23,736 7.2

Health $ 20,296 7.2

Education $ 18,706 6.9

Business $ 17,907 6.6

Science $ 17,000 6.2

Liberal arts $ 16,277 6.9

Social sciences $ 15,922 6.5

Arts and architecture $ 11,453 6.5

Total $ 18,071 7.3

Running a linear regression there was a $1,067 increase in personal income for every point gained for average progression.

Recap of 2014/2015 Study• Many adults earning their degrees start receiving significant raises

quickly. Many are often promoted or obtain better jobs.

• Older adults returning to college often do not necessarily see STEM fields as a possibility for them. A younger adult may be more likely to consider an engineering, science or arts and architecture degree if offered. – Engineers are also more likely to earn a raise, as are those in business or nursing. Nurses and

engineers are also more likely to believe that they are in their career jobs.

– Those earning a health degree other than nursing, social sciences or education are more likely to change fields, careers or employers.

• Most are very or extremely satisfied, but those that seek out degrees in nursingand engineering are more satisfied. They appear to be more directed in terms of the career they want and the advancement possibilities it offers.

Actions for all degrees

• For all degrees:

– Market that raises and promotions are common within 5-6 years after completing degree.

– Opportunity for colleges to review degree audits of adult learners who may have stopped out – communicate value of degree to those students who are close to completing a degree

Actions for Specific Degrees• For nursing:

– Market advancement opportunities.

• For engineering: – Market career opportunities and salary.

• For education, social science, and health (other than nursing): – Market opportunity to change fields, careers, or employers.

– Emphasize the value of these professions

– Identify additional career opportunities – specifically higher paying positions

Other Actions• Recruiting older students to STEM fields:

– Clarify requirements of degree

– Explore ways to offer courses that support a working adult schedule

– Bust myths about STEM skills being “fixed” – promote growth mindset instead

– Clarify benefits of STEM degree and the types of careers that can result from such a degree

• Recruiting students interested in career change:– Collect feedback from employers on relevant job skills

– Explore partnerships with employers to improve the skills of their current workforce (emphasize tuition reimbursement programs)

Questions and Insights

What are your suggestions?

What methods have you used in the past that were successful?