PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
1995 Pilot Survey of Alumni
Executive Summary
1995
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning at Portland State University conducted a pilot survey of alumni in 1995 who graduated from PSU between July 1989 and June 1990. Below is a brief summary of results of the survey, which does not include the charts and graphs contained in the original survey report. For detailed results of the survey, contact Dr. Kathi Ketcheson, Director, at ketchek@oirp.pdx.edu or at (503) 725-3425.
The Respondents
This survey was sent to 2,170 alumni who graduated from PSU between July 1989 and June 1990. A total of 409 (19%) alumni responded. The low response rate can be explained by the mobility of this population, which was reflected in the large number of incorrect addresses (487 surveys were returned as undeliverable). Of these alumni 248, or 61% graduated with a bachelor’s, 149, or 37% with a master’s, and 9, or 24% with a doctoral degree. Seventy-two percent of undergraduate alumni finished within 4 years while 28% took more than 5 years to finish. Ten percent of undergraduate alumni went on to graduate school. Fifty-four percent of graduate alumni finished within 4 years while 46% attended more than 5 years. The majority (71%) of undergraduate alumni entered PSU as transfer students while a minority (26%) of graduate alumni entered as transfer students. The majority of these students attended school full-time (76% of undergraduate alumni; 62% of graduate alumni). Eighty two percent of undergraduate alumni and 80% of graduate alumni were employed at least part-time while attending PSU. Thirty-one percent of undergraduate alumni and 49% of graduate alumni were responsible for children while attending PSU. Currently, most of these alumni are employed (87% of undergraduate alumni; 89% of graduate alumni) and report that their job is at least somewhat related to their PSU major (82% of undergraduate alumni; 93% of graduate alumni). Thirty-one percent of former undergraduates and 26% of former graduate students are currently enrolled in graduate school. Gross annual income for the largest number of undergraduate alumni (34%) was reported to be between $21,000 and $30,000. Gross annual income for the largest number of graduate alumni (34%) is between $31,000 and $40,000.
The Respondents General Opinion of PSU
The majority of alumni (88% of undergraduate; 92% of graduate) were "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied" with their overall experience at PSU. Sixty-six percent of undergraduate alumni and 74% of graduate alumni would describe their general attitude toward PSU as "Positive" or "Very Positive". However, only 40% of undergraduate alumni and 36% of graduate alumni agreed that they would choose PSU if given the chance to start college over again, while 30% of undergraduate alumni and 38% of graduate alumni were not sure. Most alumni (71% of undergraduate; 74% of graduate) felt that their employers would rate PSU as "Good" or "Excellent". Of those whose jobs were related to their major 92% undergraduate alumni and 96% of graduate alumni felt that what they learned at PSU has been "Helpful" or "Very Helpful" in their work.
Alumni Opinion of General Education
courses
The majority of respondents "Agreed" or "Strongly Agreed" that their General Education courses helped to: broaden their view of life beyond their major (87% of undergraduate alumni; 90% of graduate alumni); develop problem solving skills (79% of undergraduate alumni; 78% of graduate alumni); apply information learned in class to real-world situations (65% of undergraduate alumni; 61% of graduate alumni), and; to develop general skills and knowledge in English, math, science, and the arts (84% of undergraduate alumni; 83% of graduate alumni). The alumni also "Agreed" or "Strongly Agreed" that the General Education courses provided them with the opportunity to integrate ideas and explore many points of view (88% of undergraduate alumni; 88% of graduate alumni). Seventy-three percent undergraduate alumni and 72% graduate alumni felt that their General Education courses were a very valuable part of their college program, while only 12% of undergraduate alumni and 13% of graduate alumni felt that they were of little value.
Alumni Satisfaction With Services
Provided by PSU
Most alumni who responded to this survey were "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied" with: The University general catalog (93% of undergraduate alumni; 94% of graduate alumni); the University Time Schedule (89% of undergraduate alumni; 95% of graduate alumni); the quality of instruction (87% of undergraduate alumni; 92% of graduate alumni); the course content (90% of undergraduate alumni; 92% of graduate alumni); testing and grading practices (84% of undergraduate alumni; 91% of graduate alumni), and; the library (90% of undergraduate alumni; 89% of graduate alumni). While 61% graduate alumni were "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied" with academic advising, only 43% of undergraduate alumni felt the same. Responses were also different between undergraduate alumni and graduate alumni for financial aid services, with 79% of graduate alumni, but only 61% of undergraduate alumni were "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied". Finally, the availability of classes at registration was considered "Satisfactory" or "Very Satisfactory" for most graduate alumni (84%) but less so for undergraduate alumni (61%).
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