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North Carolina State University
2007 First-Year Student Survey:
College Comparisons of
Background Characteristics


This document reports college differences in respondents' general background characteristics, such as financial aid, parent/guardian education, employment plans, and other personal information. For information about the survey and analysis methods see "2007 First-Year Student Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile." Exact question wording is available on the web or by clicking on the "Q" next to the table heading.

Financial Aid | Parent/Guardian Income | Parent/Guardian Educational Attainment | First Generation Students | Household Dependents | Respondents' Home Community | Religious Preference | Musical Interests | Preparation for College | Participation in Pre-College Programs | Personal Computers | Intended Work Community

Q Financial Aid
  NCSU CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Expect Financial Aid % 62.0% 68.3% 75.0% 57.4% 63.9% 63.5% 52.6% 58.9% 70.1% 55.5% 71.1%
Total N 4345 744 128 481 122 1333 325 158 67 800 187

Type of Aid Expected NCSU CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Academic % 31.4% 40.8% 43.0% 28.2% 21.7% 35.9% 22.3% 28.0% 34.3% 18.4% 42.8%
Financial need % 37.5% 42.1% 37.5% 37.1% 41.8% 37.2% 31.1% 38.6% 44.8% 34.6% 40.6%
Athletic based % 2.7% 2.2% 0.8% 1.5% 6.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.9% 3.0% 6.0% 3.7%
Other - dance, music, etc. % 1.2% 1.6% 0.8% 0.6% 0.0% 1.1% 0.9% 3.2% 4.5% 1.3% 1.6%
Other aid than listed above % 12.2% 13.7% 13.3% 12.7% 6.6% 12.2% 11.1% 9.5% 14.9% 10.8% 17.1%
Note: Respondents could list more than one type of aid.
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Q Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 2006 Combined Income
Parent's income NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
$10,000 or less % 2.0 1.4 0.9 2.9 1.0 1.8 2.0 1.4 . 2.6 4.1
$10,001-$15,000 % 1.1 1.1 0.9 0.7 2.9 1.3 0.3 0.7 1.9 0.9 1.2
$15,001-$20,000 % 1.4 1.5 1.8 0.7 1.0 0.7 1.7 2.8 3.8 1.9 2.9
$20,001-$25,000 % 2.1 2.9 2.7 3.6 . 2.1 1.7 . 3.8 1.3 2.3
$25,001-$30,000 % 2.6 3.2 3.5 3.6 1.0 2.5 2.7 1.4 1.9 2.5 1.2
$30,001-$35,000 % 2.9 2.6 0.9 3.1 1.0 3.3 1.4 1.4 1.9 3.4 5.8
$35,001-$40,000 % 4.4 5.0 3.5 3.3 8.7 4.2 2.4 4.9 9.4 4.4 5.8
$40,001-$50,000 % 5.6 6.8 4.4 4.5 3.8 5.5 4.7 4.2 3.8 6.0 8.8
$50,001-$60,000 % 8.0 9.2 12.4 4.8 11.5 8.5 6.1 9.7 7.5 6.4 11.1
$60,001-$75,000 % 12.4 13.3 15.0 12.1 12.5 12.7 11.1 14.6 15.1 10.2 14.6
$75,001-$100,000 % 18.3 17.8 22.1 18.3 7.7 19.9 17.9 20.1 17.0 17.4 15.2
$100,001-$150,000 % 21.6 18.0 16.8 24.0 29.8 22.9 25.0 16.7 18.9 22.8 12.3
$150,001-$200,000 % 9.0 9.5 8.0 8.3 11.5 8.7 10.1 11.8 7.5 9.2 5.8
$200,000 plus % 8.6 7.9 7.1 10.2 7.7 6.0 12.8 10.4 7.5 11.1 8.8
Total N 3903 662 113 421 104 1254 296 144 53 685 171
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Q Father/Male Guardian Educational Attainment
Father Education NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Less than high school % 2.1 2.6 1.7 2.5 2.9 1.7 2.0 2.6 1.6 1.8 3.3
High school graduate % 13.6 13.6 21.8 12.4 14.7 14.1 11.5 9.0 9.8 13.8 15.6
Some college/no degree % 12.0 12.6 16.8 12.7 12.7 11.1 11.5 12.3 6.6 12.7 10.6
2-4 yr. associate degree % 10.0 12.4 15.1 9.2 12.7 10.1 7.8 9.7 6.6 8.3 9.4
4 year baccalaureate degree % 33.8 29.2 31.1 32.3 32.4 34.4 36.8 36.8 39.3 36.4 34.4
Some graduate or prof. coursework/no degree % 3.3 3.7 2.5 3.5 2.9 3.3 4.4 3.9 6.6 2.7 2.2
Master's degree % 16.2 15.8 8.4 17.3 13.7 16.2 19.3 16.1 23.0 16.6 12.2
Doctorate or other professional degree % 8.8 10.1 2.5 10.1 7.8 9.1 6.8 9.7 6.6 7.6 12.2
Total N 4068 701 119 434 102 1287 296 155 61 733 180

Q Mother/Female Guardian Educational Attainment
Mother Education NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Less than high school % 1.5 2.0 . 0.7 . 1.6 1.6 0.6 1.6 2.2 0.6
High school graduate % 11.4 10.5 18.7 14.6 17.1 11.1 13.2 9.6 11.5 8.7 10.2
Some college/no degree % 13.2 12.8 13.0 15.2 10.8 12.7 11.5 14.1 4.9 14.5 15.3
2-4 yr. associate degree % 14.6 16.7 17.9 13.9 15.3 14.5 14.5 11.5 4.9 13.9 15.9
4 year baccalaureate degree % 36.5 33.6 35.0 30.3 32.4 38.8 36.8 40.4 52.5 37.7 35.2
Some graduate or prof. coursework/no degree % 3.4 2.4 3.3 3.8 4.5 3.7 2.6 1.9 9.8 3.4 4.0
Master's degree % 15.8 16.2 11.4 17.9 16.2 14.8 17.1 17.3 14.8 15.8 14.8
Doctorate or other professional degree % 3.6 5.8 0.8 3.6 3.6 2.8 2.6 4.5 . 3.7 4.0
Total N 4113 711 123 446 111 1293 304 156 61 732 176

First Generation Students
  NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
First generation college student % 6.9 6.5 11.6 7.5 8.4 6.2 6.2 6.3 7.6 6.9 8.6
At least one parent some college/no degree % 20.2 21.1 27.9 20.2 24.4 20.5 16.6 15.0 9.1 20.1 20.9
Not first generation % 73.0 72.4 60.5 72.3 67.2 73.3 77.2 78.8 83.3 73.1 70.6
Total N 4352 750 129 481 119 1337 325 160 66 798 187
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Q Dependents in Respondent???s Household
Number in household NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
One % 3.4 3.9 3.8 3.1 2.4 3.2 2.8 3.8 4.4 3.3 3.8
Two % 10.1 8.6 8.5 10.4 10.6 9.4 10.4 9.4 17.6 11.0 14.8
Three % 22.6 25.2 17.7 26.3 18.7 22.4 21.7 19.4 23.5 20.7 23.6
Four % 39.6 38.1 41.5 40.0 48.8 40.0 36.4 45.6 33.8 40.1 34.6
Five or more % 24.3 24.3 28.5 20.2 19.5 25.0 28.7 21.9 20.6 25.0 23.1
Total N 4343 746 130 480 123 1328 327 160 68 799 182

Q Household Dependents in College
Number of dependents in college NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Only self % 65.8 66.2 64.1 66.4 61.7 67.9 64.5 63.5 61.8 63.2 69.1
Two % 29.7 29.1 32.0 29.8 34.2 28.2 31.2 32.1 33.8 31.6 24.3
Three or more % 4.5 4.8 3.9 3.8 4.2 3.9 4.3 4.4 4.4 5.2 6.6
Total N 4292 736 128 473 120 1313 324 159 68 790 181
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Q Respondent???s Home Community
High school area population NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Rural area % 13.1 20.1 19.5 10.7 20.8 12.8 10.1 7.0 4.5 9.0 16.1
Small town % 24.9 25.3 28.8 22.4 19.8 27.8 20.8 22.8 15.2 22.6 32.2
Moderate city % 30.3 30.3 28.0 34.8 22.6 28.5 31.2 37.3 36.4 30.0 28.3
Large city % 15.8 13.8 13.6 15.7 19.8 15.4 17.9 14.6 36.4 17.0 11.1
Urban area % 15.9 10.5 10.2 16.5 17.0 15.5 20.1 18.4 7.6 21.3 12.2
Total N 4158 716 118 460 106 1282 308 158 66 764 180
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Q Religious Preference
  NCSU CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Assemblies of God % 1.1% 1.3% 0.8% 1.0% 5.6% 1.0% 2.1% 0.6% 1.5% 0.4% 0.0%
Baha'i % 0.2% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8% 0.3% 0.3% 1.2% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0%
Baptist % 27.0% 31.2% 36.2% 23.5% 27.8% 26.6% 25.3% 21.6% 20.6% 27.3% 23.2%
Buddhist % 1.0% 1.1% 0.8% 0.6% 0.0% 1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 1.5% 0.7% 1.1%
Catholic % 14.4% 11.7% 8.5% 13.4% 13.5% 13.8% 19.0% 19.1% 10.3% 17.3% 14.2%
Disciples of Christ % 0.9% 1.7% 0.8% 0.6% 0.8% 0.7% 0.3% 2.5% 0.0% 0.7% 0.5%
Episcopal % 2.8% 2.8% 3.1% 4.3% 0.8% 2.4% 3.0% 2.5% 1.5% 2.7% 3.2%
Hindu % 1.2% 1.8% 0.8% 1.4% 0.0% 1.3% 0.6% 1.2% 0.0% 1.0% 1.6%
Jewish % 1.0% 0.9% 1.5% 1.0% 0.8% 0.9% 1.2% 1.2% 1.5% 1.0% 1.6%
Latter-Day Saints % 0.3% 0.5% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 0.0%
Lutheran % 2.7% 2.1% 4.6% 2.9% 4.8% 3.3% 3.0% 1.9% 0.0% 2.1% 2.6%
Moravian % 0.4% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8% 0.3% 0.3% 1.2% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0%
Muslim % 0.8% 1.1% 0.0% 1.2% 0.0% 1.1% 0.3% 1.2% 0.0% 0.5% 0.5%
Presbyterian % 8.0% 8.2% 10.0% 7.8% 9.5% 6.9% 11.4% 8.0% 8.8% 7.8% 7.4%
Unitarian % 0.3% 0.1% 0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 2.9% 0.2% 0.5%
United Methodist % 14.5% 13.8% 13.1% 11.5% 19.0% 14.4% 14.2% 20.4% 13.2% 15.7% 13.7%
Non-denominational % 10.6% 9.1% 23.1% 11.8% 17.5% 9.0% 12.3% 8.6% 7.4% 11.7% 6.3%
No religious preference % 16.5% 14.3% 10.0% 23.3% 13.5% 19.0% 12.7% 14.8% 29.4% 12.6% 17.4%
Other religious preference % 9.0% 8.6% 9.2% 9.5% 8.7% 9.1% 6.0% 8.0% 8.8% 9.1% 13.7%
Total N 4415 760 130 485 126 1351 332 162 68 811 190
*Note: Respondents were able to select multiple religious preferences.
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Q Musical Interests
  NCSU CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Play musical instrument(s) % yes 35.1% 36.6% 30.8% 36.7% 25.2% 41.1% 28.4% 25.3% 32.4% 28.8% 38.4%
Total N 4395 756 130 482 123 1348 331 162 68 805 190

  NCSU CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Recent participation in choral group % yes 19.3% 24.6% 30.5% 24.4% 15.2% 15.9% 15.5% 17.4% 17.6% 20.0% 10.5%
Total N 4383 753 128 480 125 1345 330 161 68 803 190
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Q Preparation for College by High School
HS preparation for college NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Well prepared % 43.2 40.7 34.6 46.6 31.7 44.7 44.3 35.8 50.7 44.1 46.3
Adequately prepared % 48.1 51.1 56.2 44.3 57.1 46.3 47.3 56.8 41.8 48.1 43.2
Poorly prepared % 8.7 8.2 9.2 9.1 11.1 9.0 8.4 7.4 7.5 7.8 10.5
Total N 4405 757 130 481 126 1350 332 162 67 810 190

Q Preparation for College by Self
Self preparation for college NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Well prepared % 40.2 39.7 31.8 45.2 32.0 41.0 42.5 35.2 49.3 36.9 47.1
Adequately prepared % 55.3 56.2 62.0 51.5 62.4 53.8 53.9 59.9 47.8 58.3 50.8
Poorly prepared % 4.5 4.1 6.2 3.3 5.6 5.3 3.6 4.9 3.0 4.8 2.1
Total N 4400 756 129 480 125 1350 332 162 67 810 189

Q Participation in Pre-College Programs
  NCSU CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Participated in Educational Talent Search % 3.1% 2.6% 6.2% 2.5% 1.6% 4.1% 2.7% 1.2% 4.4% 2.2% 3.2%
Participated in Upward Bound % 1.3% 0.8% 0.0% 1.2% 1.6% 1.4% 1.8% 0.6% 0.0% 1.5% 3.2%
Total N 4415 760 130 485 126 1351 332 162 68 811 190
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Q Extent and Types of Personal Computers
Have personal computer NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
Yes, Laptop % 88.1 89.6 86.9 89.6 90.2 87.8 90.0 88.7 55.9 88.5 84.5
Yes, Desktop % 2.7 4.0 2.3 3.1 4.1 0.6 4.0 3.1 8.8 2.6 6.4
Yes, Laptop and Desktop % 5.3 2.7 3.8 2.5 1.6 10.4 3.3 5.0 4.4 2.9 5.3
No % 0.6 0.4 1.5 0.6 2.4 0.1 0.3 0.6 7.4 0.7 0.5
Do not know % 3.3 3.3 5.4 4.1 1.6 1.0 2.4 2.5 23.5 5.2 3.2
Total N 4371 749 130 483 123 1340 329 159 68 803 187
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Q Intended Work Community
Location of future employment NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
In North Carolina only % 14.3 12.2 54.5 12.9 20.0 12.6 13.2 8.1 10.4 16.2 7.8
Anywhere in the USA % 29.4 16.1 21.1 34.4 36.4 29.2 35.5 26.3 23.9 40.5 20.6
Outside the USA only % 0.8 0.4 . 3.5 0.9 0.4 1.3 . 1.5 0.4 0.6
Anywhere; location is not important % 22.1 12.7 19.5 27.8 15.5 19.6 21.9 36.3 44.8 29.4 18.3
Do not plan to be employed (e.g., grad school, travel) % 33.4 58.6 4.9 21.4 27.3 38.2 28.1 29.4 19.4 13.5 52.8
Total N 4211 735 123 457 110 1304 310 160 67 765 180

Intended Work Community (Among those seeking employment, N=2,803)
Location of future employment NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COM COT Design FYC PAMS
In North Carolina only % 21.4 29.6 57.3 16.4 27.5 20.3 18.4 11.5 13.0 18.7 16.5
Anywhere in the USA % 44.1 38.8 22.2 43.7 50.0 47.3 49.3 37.2 29.6 46.8 43.5
Outside the USA only % 1.2 1.0 . 4.5 1.3 0.6 1.8 . 1.9 0.5 1.2
Anywhere; location is not important % 33.2 30.6 20.5 35.4 21.3 31.8 30.5 51.3 55.6 34.0 38.8
Total N 2803 304 117 359 80 806 223 113 54 662 85
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For more information on the 2007 First-Year Student 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: March, 2008

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