1
State System of Higher Education Alumni Survey
2006-2007 Graduates
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) contracted with Franklin and Marshall College’s Center for Opinion Research to conduct a survey on 2006-2007 baccalaureate degree alumni of PASSHE schools. This telephone survey was conducted between May and August of 2008 with a total of 2,314 PASSHE graduates, including 282
WCU graduates. Weighting was used to correct for unequal probability of selection. The survey’s cooperation rate is 95% and the response rate is 91%.
West Chester University alumni had many positive things to say about their collegiate experiences. A total of 97% of respondents stated they would recommend WCU to others. Likewise, the same proportion reported that they received good or excellent quality education at the University. Furthermore, 71% responded very well or more than adequately to the question: How well did WCU prepare you for employment? This is particularly relevant as 85% of respondents stated that preparing for a career was the primary objective in attending a university.
There are a few areas in which WCU can improve. For example, 34% of respondents claimed that WCU performed worse than expected in terms of providing an academic advisor who was interested in their progress. For transfer students, 17% reported the transition from their previous college or university to WCU was somewhat difficult .
Another area with a relatively high proportion of dissatisfaction centered on the variety of meals/food served in the cafeteria, where 22% of respondents indicated they were not satisfied .
Below are tables which summarize all of the findings from the survey. The counts provided are weighted.
What was your primary objective in attending a university? Was it to...
Prepare for a Career
Prepare for graduate, professional or technical school
Improve existing job skills
For some personal interest
For some other reason
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2,314
85%
6%
81%
10%
3%
3%
2%
3%
3%
2%
When you transferred to [your] University from your previous college or university, did you feel your transition was...
WCU SSHE
Very easy
Somewhat easy
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
Do not know n=114
52%
30%
17%
1%
0% n=708
59%
30%
9%
2%
0%
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Did you transfer from…
Community college
Another state system university
From somewhere else
WCU n=114
55%
27%
18%
SSHE n=708
48%
29%
24%
Do not know 0% 0%
Did [your] University meet your expectations with the number of credits that they accepted for transfer from your previous institution? Would you say they accepted…
WCU n=114
SSHE n=708
More credits than expected
About as many credits as expected
28%
52%
28%
58%
Fewer credits than expected
None of my credits
18%
1%
14%
0%
Overal l, how easy or difficult was the transfer process? Would you say it was…
WCU SSHE
Very easy
Somewhat easy
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
Do not know
n=114
45%
42%
7%
6%
0% n=708
58%
34%
7%
2%
0%
How would you rate the quality of education you received at [your] University?
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
52%
45%
3%
0%
50%
44%
5%
0%
Would you recommend [your] University to others?
Yes
No
Do not know
Did you pay in-state tuition the semester that you graduated?
Yes
No
Do not know
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
97%
2%
94%
4%
1% 2%
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
82%
17%
1%
86%
12%
2%
2
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

What was the total amount you borrowed in undergraduate loans?
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
$0
$0.01 - $5,000
27%
4%
23%
5%
$5,001 - $10,000
$10,001 - $15,000
$15,001 - $20,000
$20,001 - $25,000
More than $25,000
Do not know
6%
11%
14%
7%
19%
13%
6%
10%
15%
6%
17%
19%
How much, if any, of the amount you borrowed did you charge to your own personal credit card?
WCU n=282
SSHE n=2314
$0
$0.01 - $5,000
$5,001 - $10,000
$10,001 - $15,000
$15,001 - $20,000
$20,001 - $25,000
More than $25,000
Do not know
82%
12%
1%
0%
1%
0%
1%
2% 1%
85%
12%
1%
0%
1%
0%
0%
Which of the following best describes your current primary employment or educational status? Are you…
Employed full-time in your field of study
Employed part-time in your field of study
Employed full-time in another field
Employed part-time in another field
Employed in the armed services
Continuing your education
Unemployed, seeking employment
Unemployed, not seeking employment
WCU n=282
57%
6%
22%
2%
0%
10%
2%
2%
SSHE n=2314
53%
9%
18%
4%
0%
11%
4%
1%
Would you like this to be your chosen career?
Yes
No
Not applicable
Do not know
WCU n=66
32%
63%
0%
5%
SSHE n=508
23%
70%
1%
6%
3
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Is your job located in Pennsylvania?
Yes
No
Do not know
What is the name of your job?
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Business Operations Specialist
Community and Social Service Occupations
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
Construction Trades
Education, Training and Library Occupations
Extraction Workers
Farming, Fishing and Forestry Occupations
Financial Specialist
Food Preparation and Serving Occupations
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Healthcare Support Occupations
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Work
Legal Occupations
Life, Physical and Social Science Occupations
Management Occupations
Military Specific Occupations
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
Personal Care and Service Occupations
Production Occupations
Protective Service Occupations
Sales Occupations
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
WCU SSHE n=243 n=1942
80%
20%
1%
81%
19%
0%
3%
3%
0%
15%
2%
1%
2%
5%
0%
0%
4%
3%
10%
1%
0%
1%
1%
WCU SSHE n=239 n=1,942
0%
3%
0%
3%
4%
1%
0%
38%
1%
5%
0%
3%
10%
2%
1%
31%
3%
2%
1%
10%
2%
1%
3%
9%
0%
0%
4%
3%
7%
1%
0%
1%
1%
4
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

In what state is your job located?
Pennsylvania
Other
New Jersey
New York
Arizona
California
Delaware
Florida
Illinois
Maryland
New Hampshire
WCU SSHE n=243 n=1,942
80%
1%
8%
81%
7%
4%
2%
1%
1%
5%
1%
1%
1%
1%
3%
0%
0%
1%
1%
0%
3%
0%
What was the primary reason you decided to work in Pennsylvania?
WCU SSHE n=195 n=1,578
Already PA resident
Attending school/graduate school in PA
Better pay
Certified in PA
Convenience, ease of commute
Do not know
Family in PA
Internship to hire, stay at college job
61%
0%
1%
6%
3%
1%
8%
0%
58%
1%
2%
1%
3%
0%
15%
1%
Jobs available
Like PA
Live at home to save money
Low cost of living
Not financially able to leave PA
Not ready to move
Other
7%
9%
2%
0%
2%
0%
0%
8%
7%
2%
0%
2%
0%
1%
5
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

What was the primary reason you decided to work outside of Pennsylvania?
Attending school outside PA
Better Pay
Certified outside PA
WCU n=50
0%
0%
0%
Change of scenery
Continuing education
Convenience, ease of commute
Do not know
Do not like PA
Family outside of PA
Internship to hire, stay at college job
Live at home to save money
Low cost of living
Moved back to hometown, Live outside PA
No jobs available in PA
Other
3%
3%
0%
3%
0%
3%
0%
3%
3%
45%
36%
0%
What is your gross salary? (gross is before deductions)
Mean
Median
WCU SSHE n=210 n=1,941
$35,291 $34,522
$35,000 NA
How long after graduation did it take you to obtain your first job? Would you say…
WCU SSHE
Already had the job n=243
25% n=1,941
29%
65%
7%
3%
59%
8%
4%
Six months or less
More than six months but less than a year one year or more
Which of the following best describes your primary employer
Educational institution
Large organization or agency (500 or more employees)
Medium organization or agency (100 - 499 employees)
Small organization or agency (Less than 100 employees)
Self employed
Do not know
WCU SSHE n=243 n=1,941
38%
31%
33%
33%
13%
18%
13%
20%
1%
0%
1%
0%
SSHE n=369
1%
5%
1%
4%
0%
1%
0%
4%
9%
1%
1%
0%
33%
38%
2%
6
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Overall, how well did [your] University prepare you for employment? Would you say…
WCU n=282
SSHE n=2314
Very well
More than adequately
Adequately
Less than adequately
Poorly
Do not know
42%
29%
24%
3%
2%
1%
38%
26%
28%
4%
3%
2%
What is your current educational status?
Not enrolled in any educational institution
Taking courses but not pursuing a degree at this time
Enrolled full-time in a graduate or first professional program
Enrolled part-time in a graduate or first professional program
Enrolled full-time in a certification program
Enrolled part-time in a certification degree program
Enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program
Enrolled part-time in an undergraduate degree program
WCU n=282
70%
1%
13%
14%
2%
1%
0%
0%
SSHE n=2314
73%
2%
13%
9%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Is your school located in Pennsylvania?
Yes
No
Do not know
What is the name of your school?
West Chester
Widener
Immaculata
Univ of Delaware
Marywood University
Temple University
Millersville University
Other
WCU n=197
81%
19%
0%
WCU n=82
28%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
57%
SSHE n=623
77%
23%
0%
SSHE n=623
4%
0%
0%
1%
2%
1%
3%
89%
7
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

In what state is your school located?
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Delaware
Maryland
California
Colorado
Arizona
South Carolina
Ohio
Virginia
Iowa
Do not know
Other
WCU n=84
83%
6%
4%
0%
0%
2%
0%
2%
2%
0%
0%
2%
0%
0%
Overall, how well did [your] University prepare you for a graduate or first professional program?
WCU n=85
SSHE n=601
Very well
More than adequately
Adequately
Less than adequately
66%
17%
17%
0%
55%
20%
19%
3%
Poorly
Do not know
0%
0%
1%
2%
SSHE n=623
77%
2%
4%
0%
1%
1%
0%
2%
0%
2%
1%
0%
0%
10%
While at [your] University, did you participate in a work study, co-operative education, clinical field experience, or internship experience, not including student teaching?
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Yes
No
39%
61%
50%
50%
Was it…
WCU SSHE n=111 n=1153
Internship
Clinical field experience
Work study
Co-operative education
Combination of two or more of the above (Multi-program)
Do not know
51%
26%
19%
0%
4%
0%
51%
14%
24%
2%
9%
0%
8
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Were you offered employment by the organization where you did your [work study, internship, etc,]?
WCU n=111
SSHE n=1153
Yes
No
44%
57%
40%
60%
Do not know 0% 0%
How important was your [work-study, internship, etc.] in helping you get a job?
Would you say it was…
WCU SSHE
Very important
Somewhat important
Somewhat unimportant
Not at all important
Do not know n=111 n=1153
45%
30%
7%
16%
1%
45%
32%
9%
13%
1%
While at [your] University, did you participate in any service learning courses where you were involved in community service activities?
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Yes
No
Do not know
29%
70%
1%
32%
67%
1%
Did you ever live in the campus residence hall at [your] University?
Yes
No
Do not know
WCU SSHE n=280 n=2314
65%
35%
1%
65%
35%
0%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the residence halls?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
WCU SSHE n=182 n=1500
88%
12%
86%
14%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the condition of your residence hall room?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
WCU SSHE n=182 n=1500
86%
14%
85%
15%
9
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the variety of housing options available to you through university affiliated housing?
WCU SSHE n=182 n=1500
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
85%
14%
77%
20%
Do not know 1% 2%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with how well residence hall staff addressed your questions, concerns, or other issues in the hall?
WCU SSHE
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know n=182 n=1500
92%
8%
0%
88%
11%
1%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the variety of meals/food served in the cafeteria?
Yes, satisfied
WCU
76%
SSHE n=181 n=1500
79%
No, not satisfied
Do not know
22%
1%
20%
1%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the meal plan options you were offered?
WCU SSHE
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know n=181 n=1500
86%
13%
2%
83%
16%
1%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the ability of most of the instructors at [your]
University?
Yes, satisfied
WCU SSHE n=280 n=2314
93% 94%
No, not satisfied
Do not know
7%
0%
5%
0%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the classroom buildings and library?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know
WCU
93%
6%
1%
SSHE n=280 n=2314
92%
8%
1%
10
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the intellectual life of the university?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know
WCU
89%
11%
0%
SSHE n=282 n=2314
89%
9%
2%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the course curriculum?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the social life?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with your intellectual growth?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
94%
6%
0%
91%
9%
0%
WCU SSHE n=280 n=2314
93%
5%
89%
7%
3% 5%
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
97%
3%
0%
96%
4%
0%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the education you received, considering the overall cost to attend the university?
Yes, satisfied
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
97% 95%
No, not satisfied
Do not know
3%
0%
5%
0%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the reputation of the university compared to similar postsecondary institutions?
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
93%
5%
2%
89%
9%
2%
11
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the security measures taken by the university to ensure the safety of its students?
WCU SSHE n=280 n=2314
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
89%
9%
90%
8%
Do not know 2% 2%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the number of student organization on campus related to your interests?
WCU SSHE
Yes, satisfied
No, not satisfied
Do not know n=282 n=2314
85%
13%
3%
83%
14%
4%
Were you satisfied or not satisfied with the number and quality of programs, events, and activities on campus, considering the activity fee you paid?
Yes, satisfied
WCU SSHE n=280 n=2314
85% 81%
No, not satisfied
Do not know
12%
3%
16%
3%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of the quality of instruction in your major
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Better than you expected
About as you expected
Worse than you expected
62%
33%
5%
58%
37%
5%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of providing a wide range of courses
WCU SSHE
Better than you expected
About as you expected
Worse than you expected n=280 n=2314
39%
59%
2%
36%
57%
7%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of the quality of your major courses
WCU SSHE
Better than you expected
About as you expected
Worse than you expected n=282 n=2314
57%
38%
5%
53%
42%
5%
12
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of the value of your general education courses
Better than you expected
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
23% 24%
About as you expected
Worse than you expected
Do not know
67%
8%
2%
65%
9%
2%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of having classes available when you needed them
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Better than you expected
About as you expected
Worse than you expected
31%
55%
13%
29%
51%
20%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of providing knowledgeable faculty
WCU SSHE
Better than you expected
About as you expected
Worse than you expected n=282 n=2314
57%
37%
6%
53%
44%
3%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of being concerned for you as an individual
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Better than you expected
About as you expected
Worse than you expected
40%
50%
10%
42%
49%
9%
I would like you to tell me if you think [your] University performed better than you expected, about as you expected or worse than you expected in terms of providing an academic advisor who was interested in your progress
Better than you expected
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
39% 46%
About as you expected
Worse than you expected
Do not know
27%
34%
1%
32%
22%
0%
13
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Using a one to ten scale, where one means very dissatisfied and ten means very satisfied how satisfied are you with [your] University?
Mean
WCU
8.28
SSHE n=282 n=2314
8.15
How often do you visit or talk to college friends you made while at [your]
University…
WCU SSHE
Frequently
Sometimes
Seldom
Never
Do not know n=282 n=2314
57%
28%
9%
6%
1%
57%
26%
11%
6%
0%
How interested are you in being informed about what is taking place at [your]
University?
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Not very interested
Not interested at all
13%
61%
21%
5%
16%
55%
20%
8%
How would you most prefer to be contacted by [your] University?
Telephone
Email
Direct mail
Do not know
WCU SSHE n=239 n=2314
6%
62%
31%
5%
57%
37%
1% 1%
How closely do you feel to [your] University? Using a one to ten scale, where one means you feel absolutely no connection and ten means you feel a very strong connection to [your] University?
Mean
WCU
6.83
SSHE n=282 n=2314
6.57
Generally speaking, how interested would you be in attending an alumni event that took place in your area?
Very interested
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
11% 15%
Somewhat interested
Not very interested
Not interested at all
50%
30%
9%
49%
25%
12%
14
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009

Have you made a financial donation to [your] University since you graduated?
WCU SSHE
Yes
No n=282 n=2314
9%
89%
11%
89%
Do not know 2% 1%
How likely will you be to make a financial donation to [your] University in the next two years?
WCU SSHE
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely n=282 n=2314
9%
34%
34%
23%
9%
34%
35%
22%
Gender of respondent
Male
Female
WCU SSHE n=282 n=2314
37%
63%
39%
61%
15
Office of Institutional Research, WCU January 2009