Surveys
The following is a list of surveys administered by Earlham College as part of ongoing institutional research and assessment. Click on the links to see reports from these various instruments:
| Population measured | Last year given | Source of survey | Campus sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduating Seniors | 2023 | First Destination Survey 2019-23 | Institutional Effectiveness |
| Graduating Seniors | 2022 | First Destination Survey 2018-22 | Institutional Effectiveness |
| Admitted Students | 2021 | College Board Admitted Students Questionnaire (ASQ) | Admissions and Institutional Effectiveness |
| First-year Students | 2017 | Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Survey | Student Development and Institutional Research |
| First-year Students | 2012, 2015 and 2018 | National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) | Institutional Research |
| First-year Students | 2013 | Your First College Year (HERI) | Institutional Research |
| Seniors | 2009, 2012 and 2015 | National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) | Institutional Research |
| Seniors | 2012, 2015 and 2018 | Higher Education Data Sharing Senior Survey (HEDS) | Institutional Research |
| Alumni – New Graduates | 2014 and 2016 and 2017 | First Destination Survey | Center for Integrated Learning |
| Alumni (5-6 years out) | 2010 and 2012 and 2014 | Higher Education Data Sharing Alumni Survey | Alumni & Development and Institutional Research |
| Faculty | 2010 and 2014 | HERI Faculty Survey | Provost and Institutional Research |
| All Students | 2015 | National Assessment of Service and Community Engagement (NASCE) | Center for Integrated Learning |
ADMITTED STUDENT SURVEYS
Currently, the only admitted student survey the College participates in is the Admitted Student Questionnaire (ASQ). Sponsored by The College Board, this survey is sent to all students who have been admitted to Earlham. The questionnaire is designed to find out what students really think of our programs, recruitment literature, financial aid packages, competition and more. Students are asked to rate colleges on image (highly respected, expensive, diverse, etc.) and on characteristics (academic reputation, cost of attendance, quality of academic facilities, etc.). The College Board provides a detailed report of their findings.
FIRST-YEAR SURVEYS
Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Freshman Survey
Sponsored in part by Earlham Student Development, this CIRP survey is conducted annually during New Student Orientation.
Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) “Your First College Year” Survey
This survey, which takes place at the end of a student’s first year, is helpful in assessing factors that are important to first-year student academic performance, adjustment, retention and success. View the results from the 2013 survey.
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) First-Year Survey
The annual NSSA survey collects data from first-year students at the end of their academic year, assessing the extent to which undergraduate students are involved in educational practices empirically linked to high levels of learning and development.
In an effort to make it easier for people on and off campus to talk productively about student engagement and its importance to student learning, collegiate quality and institutional improvement, NSSE uses benchmarks of effective educational practice. Each year, NSSE calculates benchmark scores to monitor performance at the institutional, sector and national level, comparing benchmarks to “peer institutions.” In 2009, these institutions were Carleton College, Centre College, Franklin and Marshall College, Kalamazoo College, Lafayette College, Oberlin College, Occidental College, Rhodes College and Scripps College.
SENIOR SURVEYS
Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Senior Survey
The HEDS annual survey for seniors allows Earlham to collect data that highlights the various characteristics of our students as they are preparing to move beyond Earlham. It is conducted in the spring prior to graduation.
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Senior Survey
The annual NSSA survey collects data from senior students at the end of their academic year, assessing the extent to which undergraduate students are involved in educational practices empirically linked to high levels of learning and development.
In an effort to make it easier for people on and off campus to talk productively about student engagement and its importance to student learning, collegiate quality and institutional improvement, NSSE uses benchmarks of effective educational practice. Each year, NSSE calculates benchmark scores to monitor performance at the institutional, sector and national level, comparing benchmarks to “peer institutions.” In 2009, these institutions were Carleton College, Centre College, Franklin and Marshall College, Kalamazoo College, Lafayette College, Oberlin College, Occidental College, Rhodes College and Scripps College.
ALUMNI SURVEYS
First Destination Survey
This survey is conducted just before seniors receive their Bachelor’s award from Earlham. Data is also collected during the summer and fall months after graduation.
Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Alumni Survey
Sponsored by Institutional Research and Alumni Relations, this spring survey assesses data from two classes each year, with those classes being 5-6 years out from graduation. In addition to the surveys, in 2007 HEDS conducted interviews with the classes of 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997 and 2002, which can be viewed here.
FACULTY SURVEYS
Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) Faculty Survey
Faculty Surveys are administered every three years by the Higher Education Research Institute. Earlham participates in these surveys, which are conducted in the fall.