Survey Highlights: 2019 Spring HEDS Senior Survey
The Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) Senior Survey asks graduating seniors to rate their college experience. Below are some highlights from the 2019 Gettysburg survey (administrated from mid-April to early May; participation rate was 96%.)
86% of Gettysburg seniors reported that overall, they were satisfied with their undergraduate education at this institution (similar to the Peer Group). Consistent with previous years, survey results indicate Gettysburg’s many distinctive strengths in comparison with the Peer Group. Specifically, on about 40 items, Gettysburg results are more positive.
Learning outcomes
Percentage of Gettysburg seniors reporting that their college experience has “substantially” contributed to their knowledge, skills, and personal development in…
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Creative thinking | 83% | 82% |
| Effective speaking | 80% | 77% |
| Intercultural knowledge and competence | 75% | 73% |
Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors reported more frequent interactions with diversity. Below is the percentage of seniors reporting having frequently...
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Attended a debate or lecture on a current political/social issue | 45% | 35% |
| Participated in a diversity or cultural awareness workshop | 33% | 25% |
| Had serious discussions with faculty or staff whose political, social, or religious opinions were different from my own | 37% | 30% |
| Had serious discussions with students whose political, social, or religious opinions were different from my own | 53% | 46% |
Academic experiences
Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors were more likely to report that they were satisfied with:
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunities to meet and interact informally with faculty members | 82% | 78% |
Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors reported having more frequently undertaken the following activities in their classes…
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Made an oral presentation | 71% | 63% |
| Used course content to address a problem not presented in the course | 59% | 55% |
High-impact and enriching extracurricular experiences
Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors reported more frequent participation in many high-impact or enriching extra-curricular activities: study abroad, independent study, student or campus government, service organizations, community service, student publications, political organizations or clubs, multicultural student groups, intramural or club sports, and off-campus employment.
When asked about the impact of participation in high-impact or enriching extra-curricular activities, Gettysburg seniors also reported more gains (in terms of learning and personal development) from the following:
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Sorority/Fraternity | 76% | 66% |
| Community service | 54% | 47% |
| On-campus employment | 71% | 63% |
Satisfaction
Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors reported a higher level of satisfaction in the following areas (% reporting “Generally satisfied” or “Very satisfied”)...
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Availability of courses | 72% | 63% |
| Student voice in policies | 71% | 60% |
| Social life on campus | 75% | 68% |
| Religious/spiritual life | 87% | 82% |
| Campus safety | 88% | 78% |
| Sense of community on campus | 73% | 68% |
| Classroom/Lab facilities | 95% | 91% |
| Library facilities and resources | 95% | 92% |
| Counseling services | 82% | 71% |
| Food services | 87% | 64% |
| Student center/union facilities | 93% | 79% |
| Student center/union programs | 90% | 80% |
| Recreation/Athletics programs | 89% | 86% |
| Recreation/Athletics facilities | 92% | 79% |
| Registrar's office | 88% | 87% |
Survey Question: “Overall, to what extent have your experiences at this institution prepared you for the following?” Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors reported higher institutional impact in terms of preparing them for responsibilities of post-undergraduate life (e.g., managing finances, maintaining health, creating a home):
| Response | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Very Much | 22% | 18% |
| Quite a bit | 25% | 24% |
| Some | 31% | 30% |
| Very little | 23% | 28% |
Top considerations for the first job after graduation
Gettysburg seniors were asked to choose up to 3 most important qualities of their first job after graduation...
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Is work I found meaningful | 53% |
| Allows me to continue to grow and learn | 46% |
| Is related to my desired career path | 43% |
| Pays enough to support my desired lifestyle | 42% |
| Has opportunity for upward mobility | 33% |
| Is in a desirable location | 31% |
| Requires me to use skills I gained as an undergraduate | 16% |
| Relates to my undergraduate major | 15% |
| Pays health insurance benefits | 9% |
| Is likely to continue until I wish to leave | 5% |
Survey question: “Who became your mentor(s) during your years at Gettysburg College?” (A mentor is defined as: a coach, guide, tutor, facilitator, counselor and trusted advisor who is willing to spend his or her time and expertise to guide your development during college.) (Mark all that apply)
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Professors | 80% |
| Older or fellow students | 57% |
| Administrators and support staff | 39% |
| Academic advisors other than faculty | 12% |
| Coaches | 15% |
| Alumni | 13% |
| Campus Chaplin or clergy | 1% |
| No One | 8% |
| Other | 2% |
Challenges and opportunities
Survey results also suggest a few challenges/growth opportunities. Compared with seniors in the Peer Group, Gettysburg seniors reported having less frequently participated in performing arts/music. Below is the precentage of seniors reporting having participated in:
| Question | Gettysburg College | Peer Group |
|---|---|---|
| Performing arts/music | 48% | 59% |
Note: The 2019 Peer Group includes eight private liberal arts colleges. Three of them were ranked among the Top 25 national liberal arts colleges (based on the 2019 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings); two, between 26th and 50th; and three, between 65th and 90th.