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Cooperative Institutional Research Program

 

Subject area: Demographic characteristics, student values and activities, background characteristics, academic goals, general characteristics of incoming freshmen. Published by the Higher Educational Research Institute.

 

Format: Standardized survey form

 

Implemented: Most incoming classes of freshmen since 1994 (random samples or the entire population). Data from 2006 is reflected below.

 

Data summary:

*Norms include 34,625 students from other religious four-year colleges & universities in the U.S.

 

Ethnic Background % of Fr Norms*
White/Caucasian 91.7 87.1
African American/Black 1.7 7.0
American Indian/Alaska Native 1.7 2.2
Asian American/Asian 5.0 2.6
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.0 0.4
Mexican American/Chicano 0.0 2.1
Puerto Rican 0.0 0.6
Other Latino 3.3 1.7
Other 1.7 2.5

 

Average grade in high school % of Fr Norms*
A or A+ 16.9 24.5
A- 25.4 23.1
B+ 11.9 18.6
B 23.7 19.4
B- 10.2 7.5
C+ 6.8 4.0
C 5.1 2.6
D 0.0 0.1

 

How many miles is this college from your permanent home? % of Fr Norms*
5 or less 4.9 4.7
6 to 10 1.6 4.4
11 to 50 29.5 20.8
51 to 100 13.1 18.0
101 to 500 36.1 37.5
Over 500 14.8 14.7

 

What is your best estimate of your parents' total income last year? % of Fr Norms*
Less than $10,000 3.6 3.2
$10,000 to $14,999 0.0 2.5
$15,000 to $19,999 0.0 2.5
$20,000 to $24,999 1.8 3.9
$25,000 to $29,999 10.7 4.1
$30,000 to $39,999 17.9 7.6
$40,000 to $49,999 14.3 9.8
$50,000 to $59,999 12.5 11.3
$60,000 to $74,999 14.3 13.9
$75,000 to $99,999 8.9 15.0
$100,000 to $149,999 5.4 13.4
$150,000 to $199,999 8.9 5.4
$200,000 to $249,999 1.8 2.3
$250,000 or more 0.0 5.0

 

Are your parents % of Fr Norms*
Both alive & living with each other 84.2 73.9
Both alive, divorced or living apart 15.8 22.5
One or both deceased 0.0 3.6

 

From what kind of secondary school did you graduate? % of Fr Norms*
Public school (not charter or magnet) 78.3 78.4
Public charter school 0.0 0.9
Public magnet school 0.0 2.2
Private religious/parochihal school 18.3 11.3
Private independent college-prep school 0.0 5.5
Home school 3.3 1.8

 

Indicate which activities you did during the past year % of Fr Norms*
Attended a religious service 98.3 88.7
Was bored in class 31.7 40.3
Participated in organized demonstrations 60.0 52.0
Tutored another student 25.0 51.4
Studied with other students 85.0 85.6
Was a guest in a teacher's home 18.3 31.4
Smoked cigarettes 3.3 4.8
Drank beer 15.0 37.1
Drank wine or liquor 23.3 42.5
Felt overwhelmed by all I had to do 35.0 29.3
Felt depressed 10.0 8.0
Performed volunteer work 90.0 86.0
Played a musical instrument 61.7 46.8
Asked a teacher for advice after class 16.7 25.8
Discussed politics 21.7 24.1
Voted in a student election 10.0 22.3
Socialized with someone of another racial/ethnic group 60.0 66.2
Came late to class 46.7 59.2
Used the Internet for research or homework 70.0 74.9
Performed community service as part of a class 60.0 54.6
Used a personal computer 75.0 83.5
Discussed religion/spirituality in class 46.7 23.1
Discussed religion/spirituality with friends 63.3 36.1
Discussed religion/spirituality with family 76.7 37.6
Worked on a local, state, or national political campaign 8.3 8.4
Maintained a healthy diet 40.0 37.2
Stayed up all night 65.0 75.3
Missed school because of illness 3.3 5.2

 

With which of these community service/volunteer activities did you participate in during high school? % of Fr Norms*
None 9.8 8.3
Tutoring/teaching 23.0 42.0
Counseling/mentoring 16.4 21.4
Environmental activities 23.0 27.7
Child care 36.1 38.0
Elder care 11.5 19.3
Hospital work 6.6 9.0
Substance abuse education 4.9 4.8
Other health education 3.3 4.1
Services to the homeless 24.6 23.7
Community improvement/construction 23.0 31.2
Conflicit mediation 3.3 4.9
Service to my religious community 75.4 44.5
Other community service 36.1 44.0

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week studying/doing homework? % of Fr Norms*

None

 3.4 2.1
Less than 1 hour 8.5 12.1
1-2 hours 28.8 22.6
3-5 hours 35.6 29.8
6-10 hours 20.3 19.4
11-15 hours 3.4 8.1
16-20 hours 0.0 3.6
Over 20 hours 0.0 2.4

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week in exercise or sports? % of Fr Norms*
None 6.8 4.4
Less than 1 hour 5.1 9.1
1-2 hours 27.1 13.4
3-5 hours 25.4 16.7
6-10 hours 16.9 17.3
11-15 hours 10.2 15.6
16-20 hours 5.1 9.8
Over 20 hours 3.4 13.7

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week working for pay? % of Fr Norms*
None 12.1 30.5
Less than 1 hour 1.7 2.9
1-2 hours 0.0 4.3
3-5 hours 3.4 7.8
6-10 hours 19.0 12.6
11-15 hours 22.4 13.4
16-20 hours 29.3 13.1
Over 20 hours 12.1 15.4

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week doing volunteer work? % of Fr Norms*
None 25.4 24.9
Less than 1 hour 23.7 24.5
1-2 hours 28.8 26.3
3-5 hours 15.3 14.5
6-10 hours 3.4 5.4
11-15 hours 3.4 2.1
16-20 hours 0.0 1.0
Over 20 hours 0.0 1.3

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week watching TV? % of Fr Norms*
None 11.9 5.1
Less than 1 hour 18.6 14.3
1-2 hours 20.3 23.9
3-5 hours 30.5 28.1
6-10 hours 8.5 16.7
11-15 hours 5.1 6.1
16-20 hours 1.7 2.7
Over 20 hours 3.4 3.1

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week reading for pleasure? % of Fr Norms*
None 18.6 26.3
Less than 1 hour 32.2 25.3
1-2 hours 25.4 23.2
3-5 hours 20.3 14.7
6-10 hours 3.4 6.3
11-15 hours 0.0 2.4
16-20 hours 0.0 0.9
Over 20 hours 0.0 0.9

 

During your last year in high school, how much time did you spend during a typical week in prayer/meditation? % of Fr Norms*
None 6.8 23.0
Less than 1 hour 15.3 32.6
1-2 hours 40.7 25.6
3-5 hours 22.0 11.8
6-10 hours 10.2 4.2
11-15 hours 1.7 1.2
16-20 hours 1.7 0.5
Over 20 hours 1.7 1.0

 

Do you have a disability? % of Fr Norms*

Hearing

 0.0 0.8
Speech 0.0 0.3
Orthopedic 0.0 0.6
Learning disability 1.6 4.4
Health-related 0.0 1.3
Partially sighted or blind 0.0 1.2
Other 1.6 1.4

 

Highest academic degree intended to obtain % of Fr Norms*
None 2.1 1.3
Vocational certificate 0.0 0.2
Associate 0.0 0.7
Bachelor's degree 48.9 27.3
Master's degree 29.8 39.3
PhD or EdD 8.5 15.9
MD, DO, DDS, or DVM 2.1 8.3
JD (law) 4.3 4.4
BD or MDiv 2.1 0.8
Other 2.1 1.8

 

Reasons noted as "very important" in influencing student's decision to attend this college % of Fr Norms*
My relatives wanted me to come here 8.3 9.5
My teacher advised me 0.0 4.3
This college has a very good academic reputation 25.4 55.9
This college has a good reputation for its social activities 25.4 27.5
I was offered financial assistance 22.0 55.8
The cost of attending this college 22.0 21.9
High school counselor advised me 0.0 5.6
Private college counselor advised me 0.0 3.8
I wanted to live near home 15.3 17.0
Not offered aid by first choice 3.4 5.9
This college's graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional schools 5.2 26.5
This college's graduates get good jobs 13.8 47.3
I was attracted by the religious affiliation/orientation of this college 86.4 28.0
I wanted to go to a school about the size of this college 47.5 28.0
Rankings in national magazines 0.0 10.7
Information from a website 3.4 12.0
A visit to the campus 31.7 48.3

 

Is this college your % of Fr Norms*
First choice 85.2 74.4
Second choice 9.8 18.2
Third choice 1.6 4.6
Less than third choice 3.3 2.8

 

To how many colleges other than this one did you apply for admission this year? % of Fr Norms*
None 47.5 20.7
One 23.0 13.7
Two 9.8 17.2
Three 14.8 18.2
Four 3.3 12.3
Five 1.6 7.2
Six 0.0 4.6
Seven or more 0.0 6.1

 

Objectives considered to be "essential" or "very important" % of Fr Norms*
Becoming accomplished in one of the performing arts 18.3 17.1
Becoming an authority in my field 46.7 54.4
Obtaining recognition from my colleagues for contributions to my special field 21.7 44.8
Influencing the political structure 15.0 17.8
Influencing social values 59.0 42.5
Raising a family 88.5 78.6
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others 16.4 33.4
Being very well off financially 34.4 62.7
Helping others who are in difficulty 81.7 66.2
Making a theoretical contribution to science 5.0 13.8
Writing original works (poems, novels, short stories, etc.) 20.0 15.3
Creating artistic work (painting, sculpture, decorating, etc.) 18.3 14.6
Being successful in a business of my own 19.7 35.2
Becoming involved in programs to clean up the environment 9.8 15.6
Developing a meaningful philosophy of life 49.2 42.1
Participating in a community action program 21.3 22.1
Helping to promote racial understanding 31.1 27.5
Keeping up to date with political affairs 36.7 31.3
Becoming a community leader 42.4 31.4
Integrating spirituality into my life 100.0 56.5
Improving my understanding of other countries & cultures 54.1 42.0
Working to find a cure to a health problem 8.2 20.2

 

Do you have any concern about your ability to finance your college education? % of Fr Norms*
None (I am confident that I will have sufficient funds) 21.7 33.2
Some (but I probably will have enough funds) 56.7 52.8
Major (not sure I will have enough funds to complete college) 21.7 13.9

 

Student estimates chances are "very good" that he/she will % of Fr Norms*
Change major field 13.1 12.6
Change career choice 9.8 12.3
Participate in student government 4.9 7.2
Get a job to help pay for college expenses 80.0 47.2
Work full-time while attending college 8.2 4.4
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics 21.7 29.5
Make at least a "B" average 60.7 59.1
Participate in student protests or demonstrations 3.3 4.9
Transfer to another college before graduating 13.1 7.3
Be satisfied with your college 66.1 54.9
Participate in volunteer or community service work 63.3 31.0
Seek personal counseling 6.7 6.2
Communicate regularly with your professors 15.0 35.1
Socialize with someone of another racial/ethnic group 83.3 63.7
Participate in student clubs/groups 44.3 40.3
Strengthen your religious beliefs/convictions 100.0 43.6
Participatein a study abroad program 4.0 25.0

 

How would you characterize your political views? % of Fr Norms*
Far left 0.0

2.7
Liberal 1.7 19.0
Middle-of-the-road 27.1 42.6
Conservative 67.8 32.5
Far right 3.4 3.3

*Norms include 34,625 students from other religiosu four-year colleges & universities in the US

For more information, contact the Assessment Coordinator