2012 Alumni Survey
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons of Undergraduate Educational Goals
General Education Frequency Distributions

This document reports frequency distributions of general education goals by gender and race/ethnicity. Comparisons of mean ratings are available on the web.

Importance | Preparation

Importance

An overall general education	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	73.4%	79.9%	67.6%	70.8%	85.3%	73.2%	66.4%
3: Somewhat important	22.4%	17.0%	27.2%	25.8%	13.3%	22.5%	28.0%
2: Not very important	3.7%	3.0%	4.4%	2.2%	1.4%	3.8%	5.6%
1: Not at all important	0.5%	0.2%	0.9%	1.1%	0.0%	0.6%	0.0%
Total (N)	2,636	1,238	1,398	89	143	2,261	143

Back to Top

Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	55.1%	54.4%	55.8%	56.2%	70.6%	54.2%	54.2%
3: Somewhat important	37.4%	39.0%	36.0%	39.3%	25.9%	38.0%	38.0%
2: Not very important	6.6%	5.8%	7.3%	3.4%	3.5%	6.9%	6.3%
1: Not at all important	0.9%	0.8%	0.9%	1.1%	0.0%	0.9%	1.4%
Total (N)	2,627	1,230	1,397	89	143	2,253	142

Back to Top

Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	48.0%	46.9%	49.0%	55.1%	65.0%	46.7%	47.5%
3: Somewhat important	39.8%	41.1%	38.7%	34.8%	28.7%	40.6%	41.1%
2: Not very important	10.8%	10.4%	11.2%	9.0%	4.9%	11.3%	9.9%
1: Not at all important	1.4%	1.7%	1.1%	1.1%	1.4%	1.4%	1.4%
Total (N)	2,618	1,227	1,391	89	143	2,245	141

Back to Top

Formulating and testing hypotheses	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	38.4%	33.6%	42.8%	46.6%	47.6%	37.4%	40.3%
3: Somewhat important	32.8%	32.8%	32.9%	29.5%	24.5%	33.7%	30.2%
2: Not very important	22.1%	25.7%	18.9%	19.3%	23.8%	22.3%	19.4%
1: Not at all important	6.6%	7.9%	5.5%	4.5%	4.2%	6.6%	10.1%
Total (N)	2,615	1,228	1,387	88	143	2,245	139

Back to Top

Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	36.9%	35.4%	38.2%	38.6%	39.4%	36.3%	41.4%
3: Somewhat important	29.8%	28.1%	31.3%	26.1%	26.1%	30.4%	25.7%
2: Not very important	24.2%	25.8%	22.8%	26.1%	28.9%	24.2%	17.9%
1: Not at all important	9.1%	10.8%	7.7%	9.1%	5.6%	9.0%	15.0%
Total (N)	2,615	1,227	1,388	88	142	2,245	140

Back to Top

Appreciating the arts	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	27.6%	34.7%	21.2%	28.4%	43.7%	26.4%	29.3%
3: Somewhat important	29.4%	32.6%	26.6%	34.1%	26.1%	29.3%	32.1%
2: Not very important	25.7%	22.6%	28.4%	21.6%	19.0%	26.7%	18.6%
1: Not at all important	17.3%	10.0%	23.7%	15.9%	11.3%	17.5%	20.0%
Total (N)	2,618	1,229	1,389	88	142	2,248	140

Back to Top

Appreciating the humanities	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	28.4%	33.1%	24.3%	22.7%	46.5%	27.6%	27.1%
3: Somewhat important	33.0%	35.4%	30.9%	38.6%	29.6%	32.8%	35.7%
2: Not very important	25.0%	23.4%	26.4%	26.1%	17.6%	25.7%	20.7%
1: Not at all important	13.6%	8.1%	18.4%	12.5%	6.3%	13.9%	16.4%
Total (N)	2,616	1,227	1,389	88	142	2,246	140

Back to Top

Applying social science methods to understand human behavior	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	29.4%	36.4%	23.3%	29.5%	53.5%	28.1%	26.4%
3: Somewhat important	34.5%	34.8%	34.1%	31.8%	25.4%	35.2%	33.6%
2: Not very important	23.9%	20.9%	26.6%	20.5%	13.4%	24.4%	28.6%
1: Not at all important	12.2%	7.9%	16.0%	18.2%	7.7%	12.3%	11.4%
Total (N)	2,614	1,226	1,388	88	142	2,244	140

Back to Top

Applying mathematics skills	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	48.9%	40.0%	56.7%	53.4%	47.9%	48.8%	48.6%
3: Somewhat important	31.7%	34.0%	29.7%	20.5%	28.2%	32.5%	29.3%
2: Not very important	15.8%	21.2%	11.0%	23.9%	20.4%	15.2%	15.7%
1: Not at all important	3.6%	4.7%	2.7%	2.3%	3.5%	3.5%	6.4%
Total (N)	2,614	1,226	1,388	88	142	2,244	140

Back to Top

Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	42.5%	41.7%	43.2%	51.1%	47.2%	41.5%	47.9%
3: Somewhat important	37.3%	36.7%	37.8%	29.5%	31.7%	38.3%	31.4%
2: Not very important	15.9%	17.0%	14.9%	13.6%	18.3%	16.0%	13.6%
1: Not at all important	4.3%	4.6%	4.1%	5.7%	2.8%	4.2%	7.1%
Total (N)	2,614	1,226	1,388	88	142	2,244	140

Back to Top

Recognizing and acting on ethical principles	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	77.0%	80.1%	74.3%	68.2%	83.8%	77.1%	73.6%
3: Somewhat important	19.2%	17.3%	20.8%	21.6%	14.8%	19.0%	24.3%
2: Not very important	3.2%	2.3%	4.0%	8.0%	1.4%	3.2%	2.1%
1: Not at all important	0.6%	0.3%	0.9%	2.3%	0.0%	0.6%	0.0%
Total (N)	2,614	1,226	1,388	88	142	2,244	140

Back to Top

Being involved in public and community affairs	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	38.3%	45.7%	31.8%	47.7%	59.9%	36.7%	35.7%
3: Somewhat important	39.2%	38.4%	40.0%	30.7%	28.2%	40.4%	37.9%
2: Not very important	17.9%	12.6%	22.5%	13.6%	7.0%	18.6%	20.0%
1: Not at all important	4.6%	3.3%	5.7%	8.0%	4.9%	4.3%	6.4%
Total (N)	2,615	1,226	1,389	88	142	2,245	140

Back to Top

Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	65.6%	71.7%	60.3%	65.5%	73.9%	64.8%	70.0%
3: Somewhat important	25.8%	21.8%	29.3%	26.4%	19.0%	26.6%	20.0%
2: Not very important	6.4%	5.0%	7.6%	3.4%	5.6%	6.5%	7.9%
1: Not at all important	2.2%	1.6%	2.7%	4.6%	1.4%	2.1%	2.1%
Total (N)	2,611	1,224	1,387	87	142	2,242	140

Back to Top

Valuing learning as a lifelong process	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very important	78.5%	82.2%	75.3%	76.1%	88.0%	78.0%	78.6%
3: Somewhat important	18.8%	15.7%	21.5%	20.5%	11.3%	19.2%	18.6%
2: Not very important	2.0%	1.5%	2.3%	1.1%	0.7%	2.0%	2.9%
1: Not at all important	0.7%	0.5%	0.9%	2.3%	0.0%	0.8%	0.0%
Total (N)	2,614	1,226	1,388	88	142	2,244	140

Back to Top

Preparation

An overall general education	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	71.5%	75.7%	67.7%	54.0%	73.9%	72.4%	64.5%
3: Somewhat	25.9%	22.8%	28.6%	36.8%	25.4%	25.0%	33.3%
2: Very little	2.1%	1.2%	2.9%	6.9%	0.0%	2.1%	1.4%
1: Not at all	0.5%	0.2%	0.8%	2.3%	0.7%	0.4%	0.7%
Total (N)	2,611	1,226	1,385	87	142	2,241	141

Back to Top

Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	51.2%	51.1%	51.3%	37.9%	51.4%	52.0%	46.4%
3: Somewhat	42.7%	43.2%	42.3%	57.5%	40.1%	42.2%	44.3%
2: Very little	5.2%	5.0%	5.4%	4.6%	7.7%	5.0%	6.4%
1: Not at all	0.8%	0.7%	0.9%	0.0%	0.7%	0.8%	2.9%
Total (N)	2,605	1,220	1,385	87	142	2,236	140

Back to Top

Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	37.5%	39.1%	36.0%	31.0%	45.5%	37.5%	33.1%
3: Somewhat	51.1%	49.9%	52.2%	51.7%	38.5%	51.7%	55.4%
2: Very little	9.8%	9.6%	9.9%	16.1%	14.0%	9.4%	7.9%
1: Not at all	1.6%	1.4%	1.8%	1.1%	2.1%	1.5%	3.6%
Total (N)	2,601	1,221	1,380	87	143	2,232	139

Back to Top

Formulating and testing hypotheses	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	38.6%	37.2%	39.9%	34.5%	42.0%	38.8%	34.8%
3: Somewhat	46.5%	46.2%	46.7%	50.6%	42.7%	46.2%	51.4%
2: Very little	12.3%	13.6%	11.2%	11.5%	11.9%	12.6%	9.4%
1: Not at all	2.6%	2.9%	2.2%	3.4%	3.5%	2.4%	4.3%
Total (N)	2,602	1,222	1,380	87	143	2,234	138

Back to Top

Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	30.9%	31.6%	30.2%	27.6%	34.5%	30.8%	30.2%
3: Somewhat	46.8%	44.5%	48.9%	43.7%	40.1%	47.5%	44.6%
2: Very little	18.1%	19.1%	17.2%	23.0%	21.1%	17.7%	18.7%
1: Not at all	4.2%	4.8%	3.6%	5.7%	4.2%	4.0%	6.5%
Total (N)	2,603	1,223	1,380	87	142	2,235	139

Back to Top

Appreciating the arts	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	22.3%	26.9%	18.2%	21.8%	33.8%	21.6%	21.6%
3: Somewhat	39.3%	41.8%	37.2%	46.0%	31.7%	39.6%	38.1%
2: Very little	27.2%	23.4%	30.7%	16.1%	23.2%	27.8%	28.8%
1: Not at all	11.1%	7.9%	14.0%	16.1%	11.3%	10.9%	11.5%
Total (N)	2,603	1,223	1,380	87	142	2,235	139

Back to Top

Appreciating the humanities	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	28.7%	34.1%	24.0%	17.2%	45.8%	28.4%	23.7%
3: Somewhat	45.5%	45.8%	45.1%	52.9%	31.0%	46.0%	47.5%
2: Very little	20.3%	17.0%	23.3%	20.7%	15.5%	20.5%	22.3%
1: Not at all	5.5%	3.0%	7.6%	9.2%	7.7%	5.1%	6.5%
Total (N)	2,600	1,220	1,380	87	142	2,232	139

Back to Top

Applying social science methods to understand human behavior	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	24.9%	31.1%	19.5%	18.4%	46.5%	24.2%	18.7%
3: Somewhat	44.0%	44.8%	43.3%	42.5%	31.0%	44.8%	46.0%
2: Very little	24.2%	19.8%	28.2%	26.4%	16.9%	24.5%	26.6%
1: Not at all	6.8%	4.3%	9.0%	12.6%	5.6%	6.5%	8.6%
Total (N)	2,599	1,220	1,379	87	142	2,231	139

Back to Top

Applying mathematics skills	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	50.2%	42.4%	57.1%	49.4%	48.6%	50.6%	46.0%
3: Somewhat	37.1%	40.2%	34.3%	42.5%	36.6%	36.8%	38.8%
2: Very little	10.4%	14.8%	6.5%	6.9%	12.7%	10.3%	11.5%
1: Not at all	2.3%	2.5%	2.0%	1.1%	2.1%	2.2%	3.6%
Total (N)	2,600	1,220	1,380	87	142	2,232	139

Back to Top

Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	37.6%	36.6%	38.4%	31.0%	42.3%	37.6%	35.5%
3: Somewhat	48.1%	47.6%	48.4%	54.0%	45.1%	48.0%	48.6%
2: Very little	12.6%	14.3%	11.1%	10.3%	11.3%	12.7%	13.0%
1: Not at all	1.8%	1.6%	2.0%	4.6%	1.4%	1.7%	2.9%
Total (N)	2,599	1,220	1,379	87	142	2,232	138

Back to Top

Recognizing and acting on ethical principles	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	39.5%	43.0%	36.3%	36.8%	50.0%	39.1%	36.0%
3: Somewhat	46.5%	44.6%	48.1%	44.8%	32.4%	47.3%	48.9%
2: Very little	11.5%	10.3%	12.7%	11.5%	16.2%	11.4%	8.6%
1: Not at all	2.5%	2.1%	2.9%	6.9%	1.4%	2.2%	6.5%
Total (N)	2,598	1,218	1,380	87	142	2,230	139

Back to Top

Being involved in public and community affairs	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	27.1%	31.7%	23.0%	27.6%	40.1%	26.5%	23.0%
3: Somewhat	42.4%	44.0%	41.1%	41.4%	31.0%	43.2%	42.4%
2: Very little	23.3%	19.2%	26.9%	21.8%	19.0%	23.6%	23.0%
1: Not at all	7.2%	5.1%	9.1%	9.2%	9.9%	6.7%	11.5%
Total (N)	2,602	1,221	1,381	87	142	2,234	139

Back to Top

Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	27.4%	27.8%	27.0%	26.4%	37.3%	27.1%	23.0%
3: Somewhat	43.6%	44.1%	43.1%	39.1%	34.5%	44.3%	43.9%
2: Very little	22.2%	21.5%	22.9%	27.6%	20.4%	22.1%	22.3%
1: Not at all	6.8%	6.6%	7.0%	6.9%	7.7%	6.5%	10.8%
Total (N)	2,601	1,221	1,380	87	142	2,233	139

Back to Top

Valuing learning as a lifelong process	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	52.0%	55.9%	48.6%	40.2%	49.3%	53.1%	44.6%
3: Somewhat	38.9%	35.4%	42.0%	47.1%	37.3%	38.8%	37.4%
2: Very little	7.2%	7.2%	7.2%	8.0%	10.6%	6.5%	13.7%
1: Not at all	1.9%	1.5%	2.2%	4.6%	2.8%	1.6%	4.3%
Total (N)	2,600	1,221	1,379	87	142	2,232	139

Back to Top

For more information on the 2012 Alumni Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: July, 2012

Return to 2012 Alumni Survey Table of Contents Page

Return to OIRP Survey Page

Return to OIRP Home Page