Graduate Outcomes

First-Destination Survey: Overview and Reports

NACE’s First-Destination Survey captures information regarding how new college graduates fare in their careers within six months of graduation. The annual initiative provides clear, concise, and consistent data on the outcomes associated with a college education on a national scale.

View the latest results and access historical reports:

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    FDS: Outcomes Rate for Class of 2022 Bachelor’s Grads Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels

    After two relatively down years connected with the COVID-19 pandemic, the outcomes rate for Class of 2022 bachelor’s degree graduates returned to pre-pandemic levels.

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    2021 College Graduates Saw Outcomes Rate Improve From Class of 2020

    The unusual and uncertain times experienced by the college Class of 2021 in its final year was reflected in its outcomes, which improved from last year, but remained down from pre-pandemic levels, according to NACE’s First Destinations for the College Class of 2021 report.

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    Development of the First-Destination Survey Standards and Protocols

    NACE’s First-Destination Survey Standards and Protocols were developed by a task force of practitioners, and reflect feedback provided during a public comment period by more than 100 career services professionals. The standards/protocols are designed to address the needs of individual institutions to track graduate outcomes, and can be used to address growing demand by accrediting bodies and governmental agencies.

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    The College Scorecard: Institutional Characteristics and Graduate Outcomes

    The College Scorecard limits post-graduate information to salary for the school as a whole. In this article, NACE's research director looks at how three factors—type of school, demographics, and academic program—affect salary results.

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    First Destinations: 2019 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates Post Gains

    Nearly 60% of Class of 2019 bachelor’s grads were employed in full-time positions with a traditional employer and nearly 19% were going on for an advanced degree by the end of 2019.

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    2020 Grads Get Fewer Jobs Than Any Class Since 2014

    Class of 2020 graduates got fewer jobs than any other class since NACE first began reporting on employment trends with the Class of 2014.

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    Full-Time Employment Declined, Salaries Increased for 2020 Master’s Grads

    As was the case with bachelor’s level outcomes, the employment outcomes for graduates earning master’s degrees declined in 2020 in comparison with 2019.

NACE JOBWIRE