1. Capturing the consumer voice in education
A look at the groundbreaking Education Consumer Pulse
March 2017

2. @StradaEducation
@GallupHigherEd

3. Unearthing the consumer voice in Education
Strada Education Network believes that consumer insights have the power to shape postsecondary education by revealing the individual nuances of the education experience that are often left out in other forms of research.
In partnership with Gallup, the most-trusted name in research, we are gathering the largest set of education consumer insights to date.
Through a multi-year, multi-project partnership:
Education Consumer Pulse
Gallup-Purdue Index
Gallup-USA Funds Associates Degree Report
Gallup-USA Funds Minority Student Report
Current College Student Survey (in development) 3

4. The Case for consumer insights in higher ed
Consumer insights are used as valid measures of success and improvement in nearly every other industry.
Healthcare
Hospitality & Service Industries
Manufacturing
Retail
Trades
The information gleaned from consumers is used to improve their practices, delivery models and service. Today, multiple platforms are used to collect consumer data:
Yelp
Healthways
JD Power & Associates
Consumer Reports
Consumer Surveys 4

5. Education Consumer Pulse
Purpose
To discover and empower the voice of the consumer to help each generation of U.S. adults achieve their lifelong education, training, career and life goals.
Design
Three-year survey of U.S. adults
Ages 18-65
350 interviews per day – 10,000 per month, 122,500 per year
Approximately 13-minute survey with an average of 48 questions
More than 80,000 interviews completed to date 5

6. What information are we seeking?
To what degree are people Completing with a Purpose?
What factors shape a student’s educational path?
How does advising or guidance influences their choices?
How do consumers regard the quality of their education?
How relevant is their education to their careers?
How well did their education prepare them for life?
Was their education worth the expense?
What is the consumer outlook?
Do they need more education to get ahead?
Would they recommend their educational path to others?
What do they need to succeed in their education?
Why do non-completers not finish their education? 6

7. Taking a deeper dive into big questions
Findings from one question in three parts (asked only of those who have completed or were previously enrolled in postsecondary education):
If you had to do it all over again, would you:
Still obtain a [HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION]. (Yes/No)
Still study the same major that you studied in your [HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION]. (Yes/No)
Still attend the same college or university where you obtained your [HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION.] (Yes/No) 7

8. What Consumers said… Findings:
People who “enroll” later in life - after age of 30 – are less likely to express interest in making different choices than younger students (particularly those at 2-year public institutions)
Except for consumers whose parents have postgraduate education, parents’ education levels do not seem to shape consumers perceptions about wanting to change their education paths if they could do it all over again
White and Hispanic adults are less likely to want to make different choices than respondents from other race/ethnic categories 8

9. What Consumers said… Other findings:
In general, consumers seem no more or less interested in changing their education path when taking into account the amount of student loan debt they carry. The exception is undergraduate and graduate students with high debt loans (>$75,000), who were more likely to say they would do things differently if given the opportunity
People are less likely to want to do things differently if they are working in high-skill occupations
Those who believe they received “helpful” advice are less likely to want to make different choices than those receiving “bad” or “no” advice
Respondents more likely to suggest mentors and industry professionals as sources of helpful advice than 3rd-party information sites or guidance counselors 9

10. What We’re learning
Completion matters. Consumers are more satisfied with their education choices when they lead to credentials that can be leveraged in labor markets to obtain gainful employment.
There is no one “best” or “right” education path. Consumers find value from not only different education providers but also different degree programs and majors.
In many cases, those earning more vocationally-oriented credentials (e.g. certificates and 2-year degrees) are just as satisfied with their experiences and choices as those who earn more advanced degrees. 10

11. What We’re learning
People are more likely to say they would choose the same path again when it opens doors to jobs with more opportunities and better wages.
That a large percentage of high-earners would still make different choices suggests education is about more than just earning a better paycheck.
Given the opportunity, half of all respondents indicated that they would have pursued either a different degree/major/school were they able to do it all over again. 11

12. Questions?

13. Thank You!