2015 Baccalaureate Graduates Survey: Report of Findings. The Class of 2013 Two Years after Graduation
Author: BC Student Outcomes (Canada)
Date: 2017-03-00
Type: Reports - Research
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Bachelors Degrees,College Graduates,Graduate Surveys,Individual Characteristics,Educational Attitudes,Adult Education,Outcomes of Education,Education Work Relationship,Student Financial Aid,Skill Development,Work Experience,Educational Quality,Debt (Financial),Employment,Income

The Baccalaureate Graduates Survey (BGS) is directed at graduates from all public degree granting institutions in British Columbia. It is one of the annual surveys that make up BC Student Outcomes. Each year, baccalaureate graduates from B.C. public post-secondary institutions provide feedback on their education satisfaction, employment outcomes, further education, and sources of funding and student debt. By obtaining this information about graduates' educational experiences and post-graduation outcomes, government and institutions can make informed policy and program decisions and prospective students can plan for their future. The 2015 BGS is the 16th annual survey of former baccalaureate graduates. The survey is designed to gather information to meet the following objectives: (1) meet the demand for post-secondary accountability at the system level in British Columbia; (2) gather timely and relevant data for use in program evaluation and planning processes at the institution level; and (3) ensure that new, continuing, and prospective students are provided with information they can use to help them make informed decisions about education. These objectives are met through a rigorous process of data collection, data management, and outcomes reporting. Outcomes data are collected from graduates through a mixed mode survey (telephone and web). This report presents a summary of the main findings from the 2015 survey of 2013 baccalaureate graduates. The two-year-out BGS survey instrument employs a set of standardized questions. The core questionnaire areas are: (1) Education Evaluation and Skill Development; (2) Participation in Further Education Since Graduation; (3) Labour Market Participation; and (4) Education Financing and Debt. System-wide summary analyses for the 10 post-secondary program areas are provided in this report. Included are the respondents' demographic characteristics, evaluation of their education, further education, labour force outcomes, and education financing and debt incurred. Graduates gave high ratings when asked about their education overall and when asked about the quality of their course instruction and their core program of required courses. A majority said that they would select the same program again. Since graduating with their bachelor's degree, almost half had taken or were taking other formal post-secondary education or training. Almost half of those who pursued further education went on to a graduate degree or another undergraduate degree. Almost half incurred debt to pay for the program they graduated from in 2013, with a median of $25,000 borrowed. Baccalaureate graduates from public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia reported being highly satisfied with their education, being well-prepared with useful skills and abilities, and experiencing positive labour market outcomes. [The 2015 Baccalaureate Graduates Survey Report of Findings: The Class of 2013 Two Years After Graduation has been prepared by BC Stats for the BC Student Outcomes Research Forum. These surveys are conducted with funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education, the Industry Training Authority, and the participating British Columbia post-secondary institutions. To view &quot;2014 Baccalaureate Graduates Survey: Report of Findings. The Class of 2012 Two Years after Graduation&quot;, see ED590401.]