There were 395 respondents to the survey.  Of those that responded, more were female (66%) and white (71%). Although this is consistent with past surveys, it is not truly representative of the Class of 1999 (females, 54%; whites 62%).   Compared to the general population, students with Science/Engineering majors under-responded (36% vs. 42%), and those with Arts & Humanities and Social Science majors over-responded.  (Table A.)  As expected, the majority of respondents (91%) were legal residents of Maryland when they first enrolled at UMBC, and most (84%) still live in Maryland.  (Tables 2 & 3.)

Over half of the respondents (57%) transferred to UMBC.  Among those transferring, close to two-thirds (63%) came from a Maryland community or junior college. Forty-four percent of transfer students earned their bachelor’s degree in four years or less compared with 62% of non-transfers.  Furthermore, transfers were more likely than non-transfers to take more than 6 years to graduate (19% vs. 8%) and were almost twice as likely as non-transfers to say it took longer to complete the degree than they had expected (43% vs. 24%).  (Tables 1, 4a, & 4b.)

Like their non-transfer counterparts, transfers said the major reasons for taking them longer than expected were having worked through college (28% transfers, 21% non-transfers), changed majors (15% transfers, 24% non-transfers), and “other” reasons, predominantly family/personal (17% transfers, 18% non-transfers).  Transfers, however, also indicated that having had problems transferring credits was a fairly common reason (11% vs. only 1% of non-transfers).  (Table 4c.)

Charts:  Female Trends, Transfer Trends, Financial Aid Trends, Financial Aid: UMBC vs. Statewide, Transfers: UMBC vs. Statewide.

Approximately ninety percent of respondents ultimately plan to earn a graduate certificate or degree.  One-fifth plan to earn a Doctoral degree, and 60% plan to earn a master’s degree.  (Table 11.)  Asian American and female respondents had the highest percentages stating they ultimately plan on earning a Master’s degree, at 68% and 63% respectively.  Respondents whose race/ethnicity was classified as “international” had the highest percentage planning to earn a doctorate (32%), followed by those respondents having started at UMBC as new freshmen (27%).

Forty-four percent of respondents had enrolled in school again within one year of their graduation from UMBC. Of those students who enrolled again, 75% were female and 58% were white.  African-American and Asian American graduates tended to have higher re-enrollment rates than the other racial/ethnic groups.  (Tables 6, 6a, & 6b.) Of those currently enrolled at the time of the study, most (58%), were full-time.

Thirty-five percent of students indicated they were enrolled in either graduate or professional study.  This is down slightly from the Class of 1996 high of 38% seeking a graduate degree within one-year of graduation.  Of those in the Class of 1999 who stated they had enrolled in school again, almost three-fourths attended another college or university and half are seeking a master’s degree.  Similar to the Class of 1997 alumni survey, the majority (82%) said they were enrolled in either the same or related major. Forty-seven percent of those who enrolled again were Social Science majors.  Seventy-seven percent said they received either excellent or good preparation for graduate school from UMBC, the highest rating from the last four alumni classes surveyed.  (Tables 7, 8, 9, 9a, and 10.)

Charts:  Seeking Grad Degree Trends, Grad Preparation Trends, Enrolled in School: UMBC vs. Statewide, Same Grad School Major: UMBC vs. Statewide, Grad Preparation:  UMBC vs. Statewide.

Eighty-five percent of respondents were employed either full- or part-time, down slightly from the Class of 1997 (88%).  Six percent of students said they were unemployed and seeking employment, and another 9% were unemployed and not seeking employment.  A higher percentage of males (88%) than females (84%) reported being employed at the time of the study. Males had an even higher percentage employed full-time (80% to 73%). For those race/ethnic groups with at least 25 respondents, whites had the highest employment rate (full+part), at 88%, followed by Asian Americans at 85%, and African-Americans at 79%. The full-time rates for these three groups are 78%, 73%, and 74%, respectively.  (Tables 12,12a, 12b.)

The salaries of the Class of 1999 were the highest reported yet, with 14% of respondents reporting annual salaries of $50,000 or more.[1]  The Class of 1997 reported 8.5% had annual salaries of $50,000 or more.  Males were also likely to report higher salaries than female respondents.  For example, 46% of males reported an annual salary of $40,000 or more, compared to 20% of female respondents.  Also, only 27% of males reported earning less than $30,000 compared to 45% of women.  Respondents with Social Science majors (50%) were more likely to earn less than $30,000, while those with Science/Engineering majors (80%) were more likely to earn $40,000 or more.  (Tables 15, 15a, and 15b.)

Among the respondents employed, most (79%) were working in Maryland.  Respondents reported being employed in a wide range of occupations, with the largest categories being  Computer/Software Engineer;  Programmer/Analyst; Electronics Technician (24%), Other Professional (13%), and Teachers (10%).  (Tables 13 and 14.)

As seen with the Class of 1997, the majority of respondents employed full-time rated UMBC’s job preparation as good or excellent (Class of 1999-71%; Class of 1997-70%).  This is up from the Class of 1993 (63%) and the Class of 1996 (59%). Eighty percent said their job was either somewhat or directly related to their major.  Most (65%) said a bachelor’s degree was required to obtain their major.  (Tables 16, 17, & 18.)  Just less than one-third of respondents (29%) working full-time reported a bachelor’s degree was not required for their present position. The current occupation for these potentially “underemployed” graduates, in rank order, were: Computer/Software Engineer; Programmer/Analyst; Electronics Technician (17%), Manager; Executive; Proprietor (14%), Health Professional/Technician (12%), Other Professional (12%), and Other Non-Professional (6%). Their UMBC majors, in rank order, were: IFSM (15%), PSYC (14%), VPA (13%), SOWK (8%).

Charts:  Employed FT Trends, Job Preparation Trends, Bachelor's Required Trends, Occupation Related to Major Trends, Employed FT:  UMBC vs. Statewide, Salary:  UMBC vs. Statewide, Employed in MD:  UMBC vs. Statewide, Employed in Select Occupations:  UMBC vs. Statewide, Job Preparation:  UMBC vs. Statewide, Job Related to Major:  UMBC vs. Statewide, Bachelor's Required:  UMBC vs. Statewide.

While at UMBC, over a quarter of respondents worked with a faculty member on a research project.  Forty-four percent said they participated in an internship, and a third participated in community service or volunteer work.  (Tables 19 & 20.) More than two-thirds of respondents (69%) had at least one experiential learning activity while at UMBC, i.e., either practicum, internship, field experience, Co-op experience, clinical assignment, or community service/volunteer work.

Overall, the graduates tended to appreciate UMBC’s contribution to their knowledge, skills, and personal development.  The highest level of contribution (“Very Much” + “Quite A Bit”) was in helping them acquire a broad general education (82%), and helping them learn to think critically and analytically (81%).  The lowest level was with helping them fulfill their civic duty by voting in elections (14%).  (Table 21.)

Over three-fourths of respondents (78%) said they would either definitely or probably attend UMBC again.  Of those saying they would definitely or probably attend UMBC again, Social Science majors were most likely to agree (83%).  Seventy-four percent said they would major in the same field again, with Science/Engineering majors (81%) being most likely to, and Social Science majors (19%) being least likely to.  (Tables 22, 22a, 23, and 23a.)   This is significantly up from the Class of 1997’s high of 65% saying they would major in the same field.

Charts:  Recommend Department Trends, Teaching Quality Trends, Library Trends, Computing Facilities Trends, Same Major Trends, Attend UMBC Again Trends, Enroll Again:  UMBC vs. Statewide.

The graduates of the Class of 1999 obtained degrees in 27 different majors. Over one-third (35%) said it took longer than they had expected to graduate, with the most common reason being that they worked while attending college. Within one year of graduation, 35% of respondents indicated they were seeking either a graduate degree or certificate, or a professional degree. Furthermore, 75% indicated they were working full-time within one-year of graduation.