North Carolina State University
2008 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 "2008 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	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
Expect Financial Aid	66.6%	71.3%	72.5%	67.7%	70.6%	69.6%	57.1%	56.0%	68.9%	58.7%	77.2%
Total (N)	4,113	720	138	415	119	1,226	350	134	74	770	167

Type of Aid Expected	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
Academic	30.1%	37.4%	39.3%	30.8%	32.2%	33.3%	22.3%	20.9%	41.9%	18.2%	37.0%
Financial need	42.5%	46.9%	41.6%	45.0%	53.4%	42.6%	36.7%	34.3%	36.5%	39.0%	47.9%
Athletic based	2.5%	1.8%	1.5%	1.7%	2.5%	1.4%	2.6%	3.0%	2.7%	5.6%	1.8%
Other - dance, music, etc.	2.0%	2.9%	2.9%	1.9%	0.0%	2.4%	0.9%	3.0%	0.0%	1.2%	3.0%
Other aid than listed above	12.9%	13.6%	14.5%	14.7%	8.4%	12.6%	12.3%	13.4%	14.9%	12.5%	10.2%

Note: Respondents could list more than one type of aid.
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Q Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 2007 Combined Income

Parent's income	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
$10,000 or less	1.7%	1.9%	1.6%	2.0%	1.8%	1.7%	0.6%	.	.	2.3%	0.7%
$10,001-$15,000	1.2%	1.3%	2.4%	0.9%	0.9%	0.6%	0.9%	1.8%	1.5%	1.6%	2.7%
$15,001-$20,000	1.5%	1.7%	0.8%	2.0%	1.8%	1.5%	1.2%	0.9%	.	1.6%	0.7%
$20,001-$25,000	2.5%	3.3%	0.8%	3.1%	1.8%	2.3%	1.9%	0.9%	1.5%	2.6%	2.7%
$25,001-$30,000	2.3%	3.1%	3.3%	3.4%	3.6%	1.7%	1.6%	1.8%	1.5%	1.9%	4.1%
$30,001-$35,000	3.4%	3.9%	4.1%	5.1%	2.7%	3.3%	1.6%	2.7%	3.1%	2.9%	3.4%
$35,001-$40,000	3.7%	4.9%	3.3%	6.0%	2.7%	3.3%	3.4%	1.8%	1.5%	3.3%	3.4%
$40,001-$50,000	5.7%	5.2%	4.1%	6.5%	9.0%	6.2%	4.7%	3.6%	9.2%	4.8%	6.8%
$50,001-$60,000	8.0%	9.2%	6.5%	7.7%	8.1%	7.5%	9.3%	11.7%	6.2%	7.1%	8.2%
$60,001-$75,000	12.2%	11.6%	16.3%	11.9%	14.4%	14.0%	7.8%	9.0%	16.9%	10.2%	15.1%
$75,001-$100,000	18.2%	18.3%	20.3%	15.1%	19.8%	20.1%	17.4%	13.5%	13.8%	16.9%	19.2%
$100,001-$150,000	21.8%	20.7%	26.0%	18.8%	17.1%	22.8%	20.2%	24.3%	26.2%	23.4%	19.9%
$150,001-$200,000	8.2%	7.8%	3.3%	9.1%	9.9%	6.9%	10.6%	10.8%	10.8%	9.8%	6.2%
$200,000 plus	9.6%	7.1%	7.3%	8.5%	6.3%	8.1%	18.7%	17.1%	7.7%	11.6%	6.8%
Total (N)	3,630	638	123	352	111	1,118	321	111	65	645	146

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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	2.8%	2.9%	4.3%	3.4%	3.0%	2.6%	1.4%	4.5%	.	2.8%	3.8%
High school graduate	13.5%	16.2%	16.5%	17.3%	16.0%	12.8%	10.0%	7.2%	10.3%	11.3%	16.0%
Some college/no degree	11.9%	13.2%	11.3%	16.2%	14.0%	10.7%	10.3%	10.8%	8.8%	11.1%	13.0%
2-4 yr. associate degree	10.3%	10.0%	7.0%	8.4%	11.0%	11.7%	7.6%	15.3%	11.8%	10.7%	7.6%
4 year baccalaureate degree	33.1%	29.8%	37.4%	26.3%	29.0%	34.4%	37.5%	36.9%	35.3%	34.6%	35.1%
Some graduate or prof. coursework/no degree	3.2%	4.3%	3.5%	2.0%	3.0%	3.0%	4.5%	0.9%	4.4%	2.9%	3.8%
Master's degree	16.7%	14.9%	15.7%	17.0%	15.0%	16.3%	18.6%	18.9%	22.1%	18.7%	11.5%
Doctorate or other professional degree	8.5%	8.9%	4.3%	9.5%	9.0%	8.5%	10.3%	5.4%	7.4%	7.9%	9.2%
Total (N)	3,468	631	115	358	100	1,016	291	111	68	647	131

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	1.3%	1.4%	0.8%	1.0%	1.8%	1.2%	2.7%	0.8%	.	1.1%	1.2%
High school graduate	11.9%	12.8%	16.2%	13.4%	7.9%	12.3%	8.8%	9.3%	5.8%	10.8%	15.4%
Some college/no degree	12.6%	14.4%	11.5%	15.7%	17.5%	11.3%	9.1%	14.7%	17.4%	11.5%	11.7%
2-4 yr. associate degree	14.5%	15.3%	17.7%	14.4%	16.7%	13.3%	14.6%	13.2%	11.6%	15.1%	14.8%
4 year baccalaureate degree	36.8%	33.1%	31.5%	35.1%	38.6%	38.4%	38.7%	41.1%	37.7%	37.6%	37.7%
Some graduate or prof. coursework/no degree	4.2%	3.9%	3.1%	4.0%	5.3%	4.4%	4.9%	3.1%	1.4%	4.3%	4.9%
Master's degree	15.2%	14.3%	16.9%	13.9%	10.5%	15.9%	18.6%	15.5%	21.7%	15.3%	8.0%
Doctorate or other professional degree	3.6%	4.8%	2.3%	2.5%	1.8%	3.2%	2.4%	2.3%	4.3%	4.3%	6.2%
Total (N)	3,912	694	130	396	114	1,186	328	129	69	704	162

First Generation Students

	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
First generation college student	7.3%	7.1%	10.1%	7.9%	6.7%	7.4%	8.1%	6.1%	2.7%	6.9%	6.7%
At least one parent some college/no degree	20.2%	22.9%	19.6%	24.9%	24.2%	18.7%	14.2%	17.4%	17.3%	19.7%	23.6%
Not first generation	72.5%	70.0%	70.3%	67.1%	69.2%	73.8%	77.7%	76.5%	80.0%	73.3%	69.7%
Total (N)	4,096	716	138	417	120	1,222	346	132	75	765	165

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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%	3.5%	3.5%	3.1%	2.5%	3.0%	4.9%	3.8%	1.3%	4.2%	0.6%
Two	10.4%	10.2%	10.6%	11.1%	11.7%	9.1%	10.6%	4.5%	12.0%	12.4%	12.0%
Three	22.4%	23.7%	16.9%	22.1%	31.7%	21.5%	22.3%	21.8%	21.3%	22.3%	24.0%
Four	39.7%	40.4%	39.4%	41.3%	36.7%	39.8%	37.8%	45.9%	40.0%	38.0%	41.3%
Five or more	24.1%	22.2%	29.6%	22.4%	17.5%	26.6%	24.4%	24.1%	25.3%	23.2%	22.2%
Total (N)	4,103	717	142	416	120	1,216	349	133	75	768	167

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	66.6%	67.0%	62.1%	66.7%	65.5%	68.0%	65.9%	63.4%	64.0%	65.2%	71.3%
Two	28.3%	27.1%	31.4%	28.2%	31.1%	27.5%	28.9%	29.9%	34.7%	29.0%	25.7%
Three or more	5.1%	5.9%	6.4%	5.1%	3.4%	4.5%	5.2%	6.7%	1.3%	5.8%	3.0%
Total (N)	4,069	712	140	411	119	1,210	343	134	75	758	167

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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	14.4%	20.3%	14.2%	14.7%	22.1%	14.5%	10.8%	5.8%	18.0%	9.7%	15.4%
Small town	26.1%	27.1%	25.0%	26.4%	27.4%	26.0%	28.9%	30.8%	29.5%	23.7%	22.1%
Moderate city	30.9%	28.2%	33.3%	33.0%	26.5%	30.4%	28.9%	37.5%	26.2%	32.5%	36.8%
Large city	14.3%	11.4%	15.8%	14.7%	8.0%	14.5%	13.8%	14.2%	18.0%	17.6%	13.2%
Urban area	14.3%	13.0%	11.7%	11.2%	15.9%	14.6%	17.7%	11.7%	8.2%	16.5%	12.5%
Total (N)	3,612	639	120	367	113	1,062	305	120	61	689	136

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Q Religious Preference

	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
Assemblies of God	1.4%	1.8%	1.4%	1.4%	1.6%	1.1%	0.9%	0.7%	0.0%	1.5%	2.9%
Baha'i	0.2%	0.3%	0.0%	0.2%	0.0%	0.2%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.4%	0.0%
Baptist	25.7%	27.4%	30.3%	23.3%	33.6%	23.0%	27.1%	18.4%	15.8%	30.0%	21.2%
Buddhist	1.2%	1.2%	0.0%	1.6%	0.0%	1.2%	1.1%	1.5%	2.6%	1.0%	1.8%
Catholic	14.3%	14.2%	12.0%	12.7%	15.6%	15.2%	15.7%	14.7%	10.5%	14.4%	12.4%
Disciples of Christ	1.2%	1.5%	0.7%	0.9%	0.8%	1.2%	0.6%	2.9%	1.3%	1.4%	1.2%
Episcopal	3.0%	2.6%	2.8%	2.6%	1.6%	2.4%	3.1%	3.7%	7.9%	4.0%	4.7%
Hindu	1.5%	2.2%	0.0%	1.9%	0.0%	1.5%	1.7%	0.7%	1.3%	1.4%	0.6%
Jewish	1.0%	0.4%	1.4%	2.1%	1.6%	0.5%	1.4%	1.5%	3.9%	1.1%	1.2%
Latter-Day Saints	0.5%	1.0%	0.0%	0.9%	0.0%	0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.4%	1.2%
Lutheran	2.5%	2.9%	1.4%	2.6%	1.6%	2.3%	2.8%	4.4%	5.3%	2.0%	2.4%
Moravian	0.4%	0.4%	0.0%	0.5%	0.0%	0.6%	0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	0.4%	0.0%
Muslim	1.3%	1.5%	1.4%	1.4%	0.0%	1.2%	1.4%	1.5%	2.6%	1.3%	0.6%
Presbyterian	7.3%	7.0%	4.2%	7.1%	9.8%	7.4%	6.8%	7.4%	9.2%	7.8%	7.6%
Unitarian	0.6%	0.3%	1.4%	1.4%	0.0%	0.6%	0.0%	0.0%	2.6%	0.9%	0.0%
United Methodist	14.4%	13.2%	14.8%	16.9%	18.0%	13.7%	15.1%	19.1%	11.8%	14.4%	12.4%
Non-denominational	7.9%	9.6%	11.3%	8.0%	5.7%	7.0%	8.8%	10.3%	6.6%	7.3%	5.9%
No religious preference	16.1%	16.5%	9.9%	17.4%	10.7%	18.5%	13.4%	14.7%	19.7%	12.9%	22.4%
Other religious preference	8.9%	7.0%	15.5%	11.3%	6.6%	9.2%	8.0%	7.4%	13.2%	7.7%	11.2%
Total (N)	4,169	726	142	425	122	1,237	351	136	76	784	170

*Note: Respondents were able to select multiple religious preferences.
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Q Musical Interests

	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
Play musical instrument(s)	37.3%	36.4%	33.3%	36.3%	28.1%	45.7%	25.8%	33.1%	41.3%	32.4%	40.6%
Total (N)	4,148	725	141	422	121	1,231	349	136	75	778	170

	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
Recent participation in choral group	22.3%	23.3%	28.9%	26.2%	15.1%	19.0%	23.7%	17.8%	26.7%	23.2%	27.7%
Total (N)	4,007	703	135	409	119	1,191	337	135	75	737	166

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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	46.2%	38.5%	51.4%	44.4%	40.2%	51.9%	44.9%	51.1%	50.0%	43.7%	50.6%
Adequately prepared	46.0%	51.2%	43.0%	48.5%	49.2%	41.7%	48.0%	41.5%	42.1%	48.1%	40.6%
Poorly prepared	7.8%	10.2%	5.6%	7.1%	10.7%	6.4%	7.1%	7.4%	7.9%	8.2%	8.8%
Total (N)	4,157	724	142	423	122	1,234	350	135	76	781	170

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	46.5%	42.3%	53.5%	50.1%	35.2%	51.3%	49.0%	43.7%	56.6%	38.2%	52.4%
Adequately prepared	49.9%	54.2%	44.4%	46.6%	62.3%	44.8%	48.1%	55.6%	42.1%	57.5%	40.6%
Poorly prepared	3.6%	3.5%	2.1%	3.3%	2.5%	3.9%	2.9%	0.7%	1.3%	4.4%	7.1%
Total (N)	4,155	723	142	423	122	1,234	349	135	76	781	170

Q Participation in Pre-College Programs

	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
Participated in Educational Talent Search	2.6%	2.5%	0.7%	2.8%	0.8%	3.3%	3.1%	0.0%	2.6%	2.3%	2.4%
Participated in Upward Bound	1.8%	2.2%	0.7%	2.6%	4.9%	0.9%	2.8%	0.7%	0.0%	2.0%	1.8%
Total (N)	4,169	726	142	425	122	1,237	351	136	76	784	170

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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
No	0.2%	0.1%	.	0.5%	.	.	0.6%	.	.	0.6%	.
Yes, Laptop	91.2%	92.2%	93.5%	90.8%	95.8%	90.9%	93.7%	96.3%	75.0%	90.1%	89.3%
Yes, Desktop	1.8%	1.9%	2.2%	2.9%	0.8%	0.5%	1.7%	0.7%	5.3%	2.5%	4.2%
Yes, Laptop and Desktop	4.2%	2.8%	0.7%	1.9%	1.7%	8.0%	2.9%	3.0%	3.9%	2.7%	4.2%
Do not know	2.5%	2.9%	3.6%	3.9%	1.7%	0.7%	1.2%	.	15.8%	4.0%	2.4%
Total (N)	4,114	722	138	413	119	1,226	347	134	76	771	168

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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	16.6%	17.4%	62.0%	14.2%	17.0%	14.5%	12.8%	10.7%	5.8%	17.4%	11.5%
Anywhere in the USA	31.7%	21.7%	22.3%	29.2%	44.3%	32.9%	39.4%	34.7%	31.9%	37.9%	26.9%
Outside the USA only	1.0%	0.7%	.	1.0%	.	1.4%	0.6%	1.7%	1.4%	0.8%	.
Anywhere; location is not important	29.2%	15.8%	8.3%	31.5%	25.5%	36.3%	32.4%	40.5%	44.9%	28.7%	30.1%
Do not plan to be employed (e.g., grad school, travel)	21.6%	44.4%	7.4%	24.0%	13.2%	14.9%	14.7%	12.4%	15.9%	15.3%	31.4%
Total (N)	3,787	691	121	387	106	1,116	312	121	69	708	156

Intended Work Community (Among those seeking employment, N=2,969)

Location of future employment	NCSU	College/School
		CALS	CED	CHASS	CNR	COE	COM	COT	Design	FYC	PAMS
In North Carolina only	21.2%	31.3%	67.0%	18.7%	19.6%	17.1%	15.0%	12.3%	6.9%	20.5%	16.8%
Anywhere in the USA	40.5%	39.1%	24.1%	38.4%	51.1%	38.6%	46.2%	39.6%	37.9%	44.7%	39.3%
Outside the USA only	1.2%	1.3%	.	1.4%	.	1.7%	0.8%	1.9%	1.7%	1.0%	.
Anywhere; location is not important	37.2%	28.4%	8.9%	41.5%	29.3%	42.6%	38.0%	46.2%	53.4%	33.8%	43.9%
Total (N)	2,969	384	112	294	92	950	266	106	58	600	107

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For more information on the 2008 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, 2009

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