Major Findings of the 2002-2003 Alumni Survey
(2 Years After Graduation)


15.3% of the 2002-2003 graduates responded to this survey, mailed to them approximately 2 years after graduation.

Approximately 86% of the graduates are employed either full-time or part-time.  When compared to the Class of 2002 one year after graduation, the percentage of graduates employed full-time increased from 66% to 76%.

Seventy-five (75%) percent of the employed graduates secured full time employment within the first 6 months following graduation. 

Most graduates hold jobs in either Business and Industry (43%) or Education (23%).

Thirty-three percent of the graduates who are employed have jobs highly related to their majors. Conversely, 24% of employed respondents stated that their jobs were not related to their major.

Seventy-three percent of the S.C. CofC graduates remain in their home state after graduation. When the Class of 2002 was surveyed one year after graduation, 50% of graduates remained in their home state after graduation.

Seventy-five percent of the graduates currently hold jobs requiring at least a bachelor's degree.

Approximately 29% of the responding alumni reported that they have been accepted or are currently pursuing further graduate studies on a full-time or part-time basis. In comparison to the 2001-2002 alumni survey conducted one year after graduation, the number of alumni pursuing additional education was similar (28% to 29%). When including the number of alumni currently pursuing additional education with alumni who have finished their graduate/professional studies, 43% of the 2001-2002 alumni pursued opportunities in post bachelor educational advancement.

The School of Sciences and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (48%).  The percentage of graduates pursuing additional education is higher for SC residents than for out of state graduates
(38% compared to 30%).

Of those going to graduate school, 68% intend to pursue a Master's degree and 32% intend to pursue a doctorate.  Twenty percent received assistantships or fellowships for their graduate education.

Institutions where most CofC graduates continue their education include: The Citadel, Graduate School at College of Charleston, MUSC, the University of South Carolina, and Webster University.

Ninety-three percent of the respondents would choose the College of Charleston for their undergraduate education if they were to do it again. 


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