Comparative Alumni Research 2005 Update Decade Comparison: 1990s Graduates to Earlier Graduates Lutheran Educational Conference of North America April 2005 This presentation highlights differences between all graduates (Lutheran and non-Lutheran) of Lutheran colleges and Flagship public universities with significant differences noted between the decades. This research demonstrates that there is significant progress being made at Lutheran colleges in terms of student experiences. While the charts also highlight progress at Flagship publics relative to Lutheran colleges, the statistical differences tested are between decades (not the type of institution).

Alumni Research Update Purpose: refresh and maintain credibility of LECNA comparative alumni research addition of graduates to alumni database corresponds to recent public sector research with graduates Highlights: Part I - Trends in Education research defines recent trends in education some advances by Lutheran colleges are mirrored by public universities, while others are not Lutheran colleges maintain many advantages over public universities Part II - Lutherans and Non-Lutherans (in separate presentation) Lutherans are more likely to experience positive interaction and interactive classroom experiences at Lutheran Colleges than at Public Universities also uncovered: for some measures, Lutherans report different experiences at Lutheran Colleges than Non-Lutherans

Part I: Trends in Education Among Graduates of Lutheran Colleges and Flagship Public Universities Recent graduates of Lutheran Colleges were more likely than their older peers to experience many aspects of interaction with faculty and students. In nearly every case, graduates of Lutheran Colleges continue to be more likely to experience these interactions than graduates of Flagship Public Universities.

Many Small Classes with Fewer than 20 Students Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering …(rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much) S S = Significant difference between decades

High Quality, Teaching-Oriented Faculty Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering …(rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much) No significant difference between decades

A Majority of Classes Taught by Professors Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering …(rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much) No significant difference between decades

Professors Who Challenged, But Helped Meet Those Challenges S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S

Personal Interaction with Professors S = Significant difference between decades Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering …(rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much) S

Found a Mentor in College S = Significant difference between decades Q. 4 Who, if anyone, did you meet at your college who was a mentor or role model for you? S S

Professor Was a Mentor in College Q. 4 Who, if anyone, did you meet at your college who was a mentor or role model for you? S S = Significant difference between decades

Conversations with Professors Outside of Class S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S

Friendships Developed from Classroom Experiences S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S

Interaction with Other Students With Shared Interests Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering …(rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much) No significant difference between decades

Informal Student Study Groups S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S S

Participated in Tutoring Other Students S = Significant difference between decades Q. 5 While in college, did you participate in…? S

Active Involvement Recent college graduates (from both Lutheran Colleges and Flagship Public Universities) were more likely than their older peers to say they experienced active classroom involvement and personal development …

Extensive Classroom Discussions S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S S

Student Presentations in Class S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S S

Classes that Included the Perspectives of Women and Minorities S = Significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always) S S

The Integration of Values and Ethics in Classroom Discussions No significant difference between decades Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never, and 5=always)

A Good Balance Between Social and Personal Development S = Significant difference between decades S S Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering …(rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all, and 5=benefited very much)

No significant difference between decades There Was a Sense of Community Among Students Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree)

No significant difference between decades Their College Helped Them Integrate Faith into their Daily Lives Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree)

Active Participation Recent college graduates were more likely than their older peers to say they experienced college- sponsored activities outside of the classroom.

Participated in a College-Sponsored Internship S = Significant difference between decades Q. 5 While in college, did you participate in…? S

Participated in International Study S = Significant difference between decades Q. 5 While in college, did you participate in…? S

Participated in Off-Campus Study* No significant difference between decades Q. 5 While in college, did you participate in…? * includes international study and other off-campus study experiences

Involved in Volunteer or Community Service Activities S = Significant difference between decades Q. 6A Were you involved in any of the following? Q.6B Did you have any leadership role in…? Had a leadership role: S 24%18% 34% S18%28%

Involvement in Church or Religious Activities is One Area of Reported Decline in Participation S = Significant difference between decades Q. 6A Were you involved in any of the following? S

Involved in Music or Theatre Performance No significant difference between decades Q. 6A Were you involved in any of the following?

Involved in Campus Publications or Student Government No significant difference between decades Q. 6A Were you involved in any of the following?

Involved in Varsity Athletics No significant difference between decades Q. 6A Were you involved in any of the following?

Financing the College Education Compared to older graduates, 1990s graduates had greater responsibility to pay for the cost of their education. Recent Lutheran College graduates are also more likely to have worked during the college school year. However, this had little negative impact for the Lutheran College graduates (compared to Flagship Public University graduates) on the ability to graduate in four years.

Student Was Primarily Responsible for Paying for College S = Significant difference between decades Q. 16 Not including any grant or scholarship sponsors, who was primarily responsible for paying for your college education? S

Received a Scholarship or Grant to Attend College S = Significant difference between decades Q. 13 Did you receive a scholarship or grant to attend college? S S

Took Out Loans to Attend College S = Significant difference between decades * of those taking out loans Q. 14 Did you take out loans to attend college? Q.15 Were the loans a good investment on your part? Loan was a good investment :* S 99% S91%96%90%95%94%

Student Usually Worked During College School Year S = Significant difference between decades Q. 17 Were you usually working during the college school year? S

Graduated in Four Years or Less S = Significant difference between decades Q. 18 How many years did it take for you to complete your undergraduate degree? S

Satisfaction Compared to older graduates, 1990s graduates of Lutheran colleges are more enthusiastic about their education.

“Completely Satisfied” with Quality of Education S = Significant difference between decades Q. 7 How satisfied are you with the overall quality of the education you received from your college? (Rating 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all satisfied, and 5=completely satisfied) “Satisfied” (4 or 5): 91%86%84%92%85%91% S

Trends in Education: Outcomes Compared to older graduates, 1990s graduates of Lutheran colleges rate their colleges as...

S = Significant difference between decades More Effective in Helping Them to Be Leaders Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective) S S

S = Significant difference between decades More Effective in Helping Them to Work as Part of a Team Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective) S

S = Significant difference between decades More Effective in Helping Them to Think Analytically S Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)

S = Significant difference between decades More Effective in Helping Them to Write Effectively S Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)

S = Significant difference between decades More Effective in Helping Them to Speak Effectively S S Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)

The Same Pattern Holds True for … Solving problems and making effective decisions Placing problems in social and historical perspective Being politically or socially aware Being prepared for career change or advancement

Recent Graduates Have Not Yet Been as Involved in Some Community Activities Recent college graduates are less involved than their older counterparts with schools and churches. Lutheran College graduates from the 1990s are also less likely to say that integrating faith is extremely important in their current life.

Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity, that is donating time or money to elementary or secondary schools? S = Significant difference between decades S S Involved in Past Five Years With Elementary or Secondary Schools

Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity, that is donating time or money to church or religious organizations? S = Significant difference between decades S S Involved in Past Five Years With Church or Religious Organizations

Q.19 How important [in your current life and career] is it to you to…? (rating 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important) S = Significant difference between decades S It is Extremely Important in Current Life and Career to Integrate Faith or Spirituality in Life

Some Differences Between Lutheran Colleges and Flagship Public Universities Remain the Same as in Earlier Research… Lutheran College graduates are more likely than Flagship Public University graduates to say:

Their College Was Effective in Helping Them Be Prepared for their First Job Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective) No significant difference between decades

Their College Was Effective in Helping Them Have a Sense of Purpose in Life Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective) No significant difference between decades

Their College Was Effective in Helping Them Develop Moral Principles that Can Guide Actions Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective) No significant difference between decades

It is Extremely Important in Current Life and Career to Be Free to Consider the Moral and Ethical Sides of Decisions Q.19 How important [in your current life and career] is it to you to…? (rating 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important) No significant difference between decades

It is Extremely Important in Current Life and Career to Promote Racial Equality or Other Social Justice Issues Q.19 How important [in your current life and career] is it to you to…? (rating 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important) No significant difference between decades

It is Extremely Important in Current Life and Career to Raise a Family Q.19 How important [in your current life and career] is it to you to…? (rating 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important) No significant difference between decades

Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity, that is donating time or money to foundations or not-for-profit community organizations? No significant difference between decades Involvement in Past Five Years With Foundations or Non-Profit Community Organizations