College Senior Survey

Subject area: Demographic characteristics, student values and activities, academic goals, views of academic experience, general characteristics of graduating seniors. Published by the Higher Education Research Institute.

Format: Standardized survey format

Implemented: Most classes of graduating seniors since 2001 (entire population selected)

Data summary: The information presented here relates to student learning experiences. For information from the CSS on general institutional data, click here. For historical data, click here.

*Norms are from 10,179 other seniors from religious four-year colleges & universities

College gpa	% of Srs	Norms*
A (3.75-4.0)	18.6	19.3
A-, B+ (3.25-3.74)	41.2	42.2
B (2.75-3.24)	24.7	27.8
B-, C+ (2.25-2.74)	15.5	9.0
C (1.75-2.24)	0.0	1.7
C- or less (below 1.75)	0.0	0.1

College seniors reporting "much stronger" abilities and skills compared to when they first started college in:	% of Srs	Norms*
General knowledge	33.0	45.0
Analytical and problem-solving skills	24.7	32.2
Knowledge of a particular field or discipline	61.9	62.9
Able to think critically	28.9	36.6
Foreign language ability	11.3	11.5
Knowledge of people from different races/cultures	22.7	21.1
Religious beliefs and convictions	35.1	28.5
Leadership abilities	39.2	29.9
Interpersonal skills	28.9	32.1
Ability to get along with people of different races/cultures	17.5	21.6
Understanding of the problems facing your community	13.4	18.4
Understanding of social problems facing our nation	14.4	24.3
Understanding of global issues	15.5	23.1
Writing skills	30.9	30.6
Public speaking ability	26.8	29.0
Mathematical skills	0.0	10.8
Computer skills	15.5	25.8

Since entering this college have you:	% of Srs	Norms*
Failed one or more courses	25.8	14.1
Taken a remedial course	5.2	6.3
Taken an ethnic studies course	52.6	37.0
Attended a racial/cultural awareness workshop	35.1	23.9
Taken a leave of absence from school	9.3	5.3
Withdrawn from school	5.2	4.0
Enrolled in honors/advanced courses	23.7	19.8
Participated in an internship program	76.3	40.6
Participated in leadership training	55.7	24.2
Participated in a study-abroad program	9.3	18.9

Since entering this college have you "frequently" or "occasionally":	% of Srs	Norms*
Worked on independent study projects	75.0	55.7
Took interdisciplinary courses	41.3	59.2
Discussed course content with students outside of class	60.8	66.3
Have been a guest in a professor's home	76.0	63.6
Failed to complete homework on time	74.7	61.7
Felt bored in class	39.2	26.7
Studied with other students	96.9	96.1
Used the Internet for research or homework	79.2	82.7
Missed class due to employment	52.1	27.2
Tutored another college student	39.6	47.0
Did not have time to study due to job responsibilities	76.3	52.2
Met with faculty during office hours	100	97.2
Met with faculty outside of class or office hours	66.7	75.1

Professors at this college "frequently" provided you with:	% of Srs	Norms*
Encouragement to pursue graduate/professional work	19.6	36.8
An opportunity to work on a research project	23.7	25.7
Advice and guidance about your educational program	24.7	36.9
Respect (treated you like a colleague/peer)	52.6	66.1
An opportunity to publish	6.3	6.7
Emotional support and encouragement	37.1	35.5
A letter of recommendation	17.5	31.6
Assistance to improve your study skills	11.3	17.9
Negative feedback about your academic work	3.1	6.9
Intellectual challenge and stimulation	34.0	48.8
An opportunity to discuss coursework outside of class	23.7	45.3
Help in achieving your professional goals	25.8	36.0
An opportunity to apply classroom learning to "real-life" issues	43.3	41.6

College seniors indicating they were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their college experience in:	% of Srs	Norms*
General education courses	56.2	76.5
Science and mathematics courses	29.8	60.9
Humanities courses	52.5	67.6
Social science courses	55.6	68.6
Courses in your major field	81.4	88.9
Relevance of coursework to everyday life	70.5	69.2
Overall quality of instruction	66.7	85.2
Laboratory facilities and equipment	23.9	61.6
Library facilities	13.4	64.8
Computer facilities	41.4	71.4
Quality of computer training/assistance	21.8	52.2
Availability of Internet access	69.8	80.7
Tutoring or other academic assistance	34.0	58.2
Academic advising	53.7	65.3
Career counseling and advising	35.8	53.5
Amount of contact with faculty	75.3	84.4
Opportunities for community service	82.4	70.4
Class size	73.2	89.0
Interaction with other students	81.4	87.5
Ability to find a faculty or staff mentor	68.2	78.1
Leadership opportunities	74.2	70.6
Overall college experience	75.3	86.0

Since entering college, how successful have you been in	% of Srs	Norms*
Utilizing campus services available to students
Not successful	13.4	6.7
Somewhat successful	61.9	61.3
Very successful	24.7	32.0
Understanding what your professors expect from you academically
Not successful	1.0	1.1
Somewhat successful	46.4	33.5
Very successful	52.6	65.4
Developing effective study skills
Not successful	9.4	5.7
Somewhat successful	51.7	46.4
Very successful	31.2	48.0
Adjusting to the demands of college
Not successful	2.1	1.8
Somewhat successful	38.1	36.2
Very successful	59.8	62.0
Getting to know faculty
Not successful	12.4	5.5
Somewhat successful	56.7	50.2
Very successful	30.9	44.3

During your senior year of college, how much time did you spend during a typical week in studying/homework?	% of Srs	Norms*
None	0.0	0.3
Less than 1 hour	3.1	1.3
1-2 hours	11.5	6.4
3-5 hours	35.4	24.1
6-10 hours	19.8	28.2
11-15 hours	20.8	18.6
16-20 hours	6.3	11.6
Over 20 hours	3.1	9.6

During your seniors year of college, how much time did you spend during a typical week attending classes/labs?	% of Srs	Norms*
None	3.1	0.8
Less than 1 hour	0.0	0.3
1-2 hours	3.1	1.5
3-5 hours	12.4	7.6
6-10 hours	33.0	21.7
11-15 hours	27.8	34.5
16-20 hours	14.4	24.2
Over 20 hours	6.2	9.3

*Norms are from 10,179 other seniors from religious four-year colleges & universities

For more information, contact the Assessment Coordinator