Adult Student Gains Degree, Demographic, and Motivational Insights

Measuring Adult Student Gains and Satisfaction After Earning an Undergraduate

Continuing Education Degree

Jim Fong, UPCEAAmanda Mason-Singh, Hobsons

Objective and MethodologyUPCEA’s Center for Research and Consulting (CRC), in partnership with Hobsons, has conducted multi-year studies on adult student gains and satisfaction after earning a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university. The objective of the research has been to measure how the undergraduate degree has impacted adult learners’ careers and personal lives. The data represents only degree completers.

Between the two most recent studies, a total of 1,706 individuals were surveyed

In 2013, a benchmark study surveyed 988 adults interested in completing or starting a bachelor’s degree but had not or could not due to a variety of factors.

Key Findings

Summary: Fall 2013 Study

Salaries increase, especially after four years of having earned the degree. Smaller but more frequent raises are often hurdles to those considering a degree.

Financial aid and student support/advising were reported as being the most used campus services.

Greater job security, especially after four years of receiving the degree

Increase in likelihood to receive a promotion or have a career change

Improved confidence and job security (without necessarily having to change jobs)

More analysis needed on impact of degree type and other demographics

Study Demographics

What year did you graduate?

About three-quarter of respondents (77%) had graduated in the last five years; 70% were under 45.

What age bracket are you in?

Study Demographics: Age and Graduation Year

2012 - 17%35 to 44 - 23%

2013 - 18% 45 to 54 - 20%

2014 - 11% 55 to 64 - 9%Before 2008 - 6% 60 or Over - 1%

2008 - 7%

2009 - 10%

25 to 34 - 47%

2010 - 16%

2011 - 15%

Type of Major

Study Demographics: Major

Business - 24%

Liberal Arts - 20%

Communication and Technology - 12%

Social Sciences - 10%

Nursing - 9%

Health - 6%

Science - 6%

Education - 5%

Arts and Architecture -3%

Engineering - 3%

Other - 2%

Engineering was dominated by the 25- to 34-year-old age bracket and had the youngest distribution of graduates. Science degree holders were the second youngest group. There is a trend towards younger students in STEM fields while older students tended more towards business and communication.

Age Groups by Type of Major

Business

Comm and Tech

Liberal Arts

Social Sciences

Nursing

Health

Science

Education

Arts and Architecture

Engineering

0%

36%

40%

43%

43%

50%

50%

62%

66%

66%

81%

29% 10%

22% 9%

23% 9%

17% 15%

23% 5%

18% 8%

12% 7%

9% 9%

11% 4%

4%

26%

28%

25%

23%

21%

22%

19%

15%

19%

13%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

64+

Somewhat satisfied - 20%

Not very satisfied - 4%

Not at all satisfied - 1%

Extremely satisfied - 39%

Very satisfied - 36%

Seventy-five percent of respondents were extremely or very satisfied with their degrees. Overall, people viewed their degree with satisfaction and only 5% of respondents were not very or not at all satisfied with their degrees.

Degree Satisfaction

Nursing

Engineering

Business

Social Sciences

Comm and Tech

Health


Education

Liberal Arts

Science

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Nurses were by far the most positive about their degree with 58% saying they were extremely satisfied. Satisfaction levels of at least somewhat satisfied were similar across all majors and dissatisfaction was commonly under 10%.

Satisfaction by Type of Major

58%

37%

39%

43%

37%

40%

37%

37%

29%

21%

33% 7%

16%

19%

17% 5%

17% 7%

21% 4%

21% 5%

22% 4%

34% 4%

30% 7% 5%

47%

38%

33%

38%

35%

36%

35%

34%

37%

Extremely satisfied - 39% Very satisfied - 36% Somewhat satisfied - 20% Not very satisfied - 4% Not at all satisfied - 1%

People go to college most commonly to advance in their careers. The type of major they choose is important and results in more promotions and raises. Degrees in engineering and nursing are the most powerful in the workplace, gaining recipients the most career advancements.

Life After the Degree

People meet their goals for going to college, as their careers changed after earning their degree. When they wanted to earn more money, the most common outcome was receiving a raise for the same position. When they wanted to advance their career, they were promoted within the same organization or obtained a better job at a different organization.

Reasons for College and Outcomes

Career OutcomeMore Money

Been promoted within the same organizationReceived a raise for the same position

Obtained a better job at a different organization

Changed fields orcareers

Career Advancement

Personal Accomplishment

Developing Marketable Skills

Motivation for Degree

28%39%

33% 42% 42% 43%

28% 20% 31% 43%

46% 41% 29%38% 27% 23%

Career advancement was the most influential reason for going back to college across all majors. Students who entered engineering saw it as a way to earn more money. Students in the arts and architecture, science and liberal arts saw their degrees as a way to increase their marketable skills as well as a personal accomplishment.

Why Adults Go Back to College

Business

Comm and Tech

Social Sciences

Nursing

Health

Science

Education


Engineering

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

34% 33% 11%23%

41% 31% 7%29%

41% 19% 9%31%

51% 16% 18%15%

56% 17% 7%20%

60% 16% 8%16%

60% 11% 15%15%

65% 7% 21%7%

67% 11% 11%12%

Career Advancement

Personal Accomplishment

Developing Marketable Skills

MoreMoney

Engineering, communication and technology, business, and nursing were the top degrees to earn a promotion within the same organization. Receiving a raise for the same position was most common for engineering, nursing, business and science. Obtaining a better job at a different organization and changing fields or career were most commonly seen in education, arts and architecture, liberal arts and social sciences.

Career Advancements by Type of Major

Career Outcome

Degree Received

Engineer

Been promoted within the same organization

Received a raise for the same position


Changed fields orcareers

55%84%

34%

18%

Comm. and Tech

47%44%

50%

27%

Business

45%54%

40%

35%

Nursing

42%62%

40%

9%

Social Sciences

36%34%

41%

59%

Science

35%43%

38%

38%

Liberal Arts

34%28%

41%

42%

Health

30%41%

48%

33%

Arts and Arch.

25%35%

63%

38%

Education

19%40%

49%

48%


29%39% 42% 48%

Promotions or changing organizations to receive a better job increased, as is expected, as experience increased. Receiving a raise for the same position leveled off after 5-6 years of experience, most likely due to seeing a promotion after that time. Changing fields decreased after 3-4 years, probably due to people settling into their field.

Work Experience E�ects on Careers

1-2 years experience



7+ years experience


37% 39% 47% 51%




7+ years experience


29% 39%57% 57%




7+ years experience

Changed Fields or Careers

30% 39% 36% 36%




7+ years experience

0%

100%


Engineers and nurses had more stable and better returns for promotions within the same organization and receiving a raise for the same position than arts and architecture and social sciences. They tended to stay with the same organization for at least four years more. They also changed fields or careers at a much lower rate for at least six years

Engineering

Choice of Major Impacts Career




7+ years experience

0%

100%





7+ years experience

0%

100%





7+ years experience

0%

100%

Changed Fields or Careers




7+ years experience

Nursing Arts and Arch. Social Sciences

On a scale from 1 to 10, where “1” is nowhere near your goals and “10” is on track with your career goals, how would you rate where you are (a) before you enrolled in your degree-granting institution, (b) immediately after earning your undergraduate degree?

Career Progress Within Types of Majors

Did Not Progress

Science

Social Sciences

Business

Comm. and Tech.

Engineering

Below Average Progression

Average Progression

Above Average Progression

18%

13%

8% 12% 18% 63%

6% 5% 16% 73%

2% 4% 15% 78%

9% 17% 57%

11% 17% 59%

0%

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

100%

Business

Under $50,000

Money Defines Success

Did Not Progress


Average Progression


Did Not Progress


Average Progression


Did Not Progress


Average Progression


Did Not Progress


Average Progression


0%

100%

Communication and Technology

0%

100%

Nursing

0%

100%

Social Science

$50,001 to $100,000 $100,001 to $150,000 Over $150,000

How has your personal income changed?Increased

Impact of Major on Personal Income

Decreased Stayed About the Same Income by Type of Major

Engineering

Education

Nursing

BusinessArts and Architecture

Comm and Tech

Social Science

Health

Liberal Arts

Science

Other

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

55% 35%

10%

Running a linear regression, there was a $1,067 increase in personal income for every point gained for average progression.

Personal Income Increases by Type of Major

Engineering

Education

Nursing

Business


Comm and Tech

Social Science

Health

Liberal Arts

Science

Higher numbers indicate more satisfaction with career progress

Average increase in annual personal income after receiving the degree ($)Major

$0 $12,500 $25,000 $37,500 $50,000

$40,718 7.5

8.0

7.2

7.2

6.9

6.6

6.2

6.9

6.5

6.5

$27,038

$23,736

$20,296

$18,706

$17,907

$17,000

$16,277

$15,922

$11,453

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Many adults earning their degrees start receiving significant raises quickly. Many are often promoted or obtain better jobs.

Older adults returning to college often do not necessarily see STEM fields as a possibility for them. A younger adult may be more likely to consider a degree in engineering, science or arts and architecture.

Most are very or extremely satisfied, but those who seek out degrees in nursing and engineering are more satisfied. They appear to be more directed in terms of the career they want and the advancement possibilities their degree offers.

Recap of 2014/2015 Study

Engineers are more likely to earn a raise, as are those in business or nursing. Nurses and engineers are also more likely to believe that they are in their career jobs.

Those earning a degree in health rather than nursing, social sciences or education are more likely to change fields, careers or employers.

Actions for All Majors

Market the fact that raises and promotions are common within 5-6 years after completing degree

Opportunity for colleges to review degree audits of adult learners who may have stopped out – communicate value of degree to those students who are close to completing a degree

Actions for Specific Majors

For Nursing: market advancement opportunities

For Engineering: market career opportunities and salary

For Education, Social Science, and *Health:- Market opportunity to change fields, careers, or employers

- Emphasize the value of these professions

- Identify additional career opportunities – specifically higher-paying positions*Excludes Nursing

Other Actions

When recruiting older students to STEM fields:– Clarify requirements of degree

– Explore ways to offer courses that support a working adult schedule

– Bust myths about STEM skills being “fixed”

– Promote growth mindset instead

– Clarify benefits of STEM degrees and the types of careers that can result from such degrees

When recruiting students interested in career change:– Collect feedback from employers on relevant job skills

– Explore partnerships with employers to improve the skills of their current workforce (emphasize tuition reimbursement programs)

Jim Fong

Director, UPCEA Center for Research and Consulting

[email protected]

Amanda Mason-Singh

Research AnalystPolicy and Advocacy,

Hobsons

[email protected]

Questions and Insights