North Carolina State University
2009 First-Year Student Survey:
College Comparisons
Educational Intent and Interests
This document reports college differences in respondents' educational intent and interest, such as primary goal or objective for attending NC State, highest intended level of education, and interest in various co-curricular activities. For information about the survey and analysis methods see "2009 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.
Goal/Objective for Attending NC State | Highest Intended Level of Education | Certainty of College Major | First Year Employment | Interest in Co-Curricular Activities | Interest in Campus Religious Organizations | Location of Future Employment
| Goal/objective for attending NC State | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| Bachelor's degree or certificate only | 8.7% | 3.7% | 15.5% | 7.3% | 13.1% | 9.9% | 9.5% | 13.2% | 9.8% | 9.3% | 8.4% |
| Bachelor's degree for school preparation | 60.6% | 81.3% | 44.8% | 67.4% | 40.4% | 52.5% | 58.9% | 47.1% | 45.9% | 57.1% | 67.1% |
| Bachelor's degree for career preparation | 28.1% | 13.0% | 39.7% | 22.0% | 43.4% | 34.9% | 29.7% | 38.0% | 42.6% | 30.2% | 20.3% |
| Improve knowledge/skills for current profession | 1.3% | 1.3% | . | 0.9% | 3.0% | 1.8% | 0.8% | . | 1.6% | 1.2% | 2.1% |
| Courses for personal interest | 0.7% | 0.2% | . | 2.4% | . | 0.5% | 0.4% | 1.7% | . | 0.6% | 2.1% |
| Other | 0.6% | 0.5% | . | . | . | 0.5% | 0.8% | . | . | 1.6% | . |
| Total (N) | 3,069 | 593 | 116 | 328 | 99 | 849 | 263 | 121 | 61 | 496 | 143 |
| Highest level of education planned | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| Bachelor's degree | 24.9% | 10.4% | 33.9% | 19.9% | 46.5% | 28.8% | 27.2% | 40.2% | 36.1% | 27.7% | 18.4% |
| Master's degree | 39.7% | 16.4% | 53.6% | 37.7% | 44.4% | 45.1% | 59.8% | 43.6% | 59.0% | 43.9% | 31.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.0% | 16.0% | 8.9% | 17.4% | 6.1% | 20.4% | 5.4% | 8.5% | 4.9% | 13.5% | 37.6% |
| Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | 6.1% | 28.2% | . | . | 1.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1.7% | . | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| Medical degree | 9.5% | 28.2% | 2.7% | 3.4% | 1.0% | 4.4% | 1.9% | 5.1% | . | 8.4% | 12.1% |
| Law degree | 3.7% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 20.2% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 5.4% | 0.9% | . | 4.1% | . |
| Divinity degree | 0.1% | . | . | 0.6% | . | 0.1% | . | . | . | . | . |
| Do not intend to complete any degree | 0.1% | . | . | 0.6% | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| Total (N) | 3,018 | 586 | 112 | 321 | 99 | 832 | 261 | 117 | 61 | 488 | 141 |
| Certainty of college major | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| Very certain | 35.9% | 48.6% | 59.5% | 39.2% | 48.0% | 34.3% | 27.0% | 38.8% | 70.5% | 14.2% | 32.2% |
| Certain | 41.0% | 40.3% | 25.9% | 40.1% | 38.0% | 50.7% | 49.4% | 39.7% | 29.5% | 25.8% | 46.9% |
| Uncertain | 18.6% | 9.4% | 12.9% | 14.9% | 14.0% | 13.4% | 19.8% | 17.4% | . | 45.2% | 16.8% |
| Very uncertain | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 5.8% | . | 1.5% | 3.8% | 4.1% | . | 14.8% | 4.2% |
| Total (N) | 3,074 | 593 | 116 | 329 | 100 | 848 | 263 | 121 | 61 | 500 | 143 |
| Plan to work any number of hours on- or off-campus during first year | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| Yes | 46.9% | 47.3% | 45.0% | 57.5% | 48.5% | 41.0% | 48.0% | 49.6% | 40.7% | 49.8% | 43.9% |
| No | 53.1% | 52.7% | 55.0% | 42.5% | 51.5% | 59.0% | 52.0% | 50.4% | 59.3% | 50.2% | 56.1% |
| Total (N) | 2,979 | 579 | 109 | 320 | 97 | 821 | 256 | 117 | 59 | 482 | 139 |
| On-campus work hours | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| None | 70.1% | 71.3% | 70.8% | 63.4% | 71.9% | 72.5% | 74.0% | 67.0% | 78.9% | 67.4% | 65.0% |
| 1-10 hours per week | 17.9% | 18.8% | 12.3% | 19.3% | 13.5% | 16.8% | 14.2% | 15.7% | 19.3% | 21.1% | 21.9% |
| 11-20 hours per week | 9.8% | 7.5% | 14.2% | 14.4% | 13.5% | 8.7% | 10.6% | 13.9% | . | 9.4% | 10.2% |
| 21-30 hours per week | 1.6% | 1.8% | 1.9% | 2.0% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 1.7% | . | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| 31-40 hours per week | 0.4% | 0.4% | . | 0.7% | . | 0.5% | 0.4% | 1.7% | . | . | 0.7% |
| More than 40 hours per week | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.9% | 0.3% | . | 0.2% | . | . | 1.8% | 0.2% | . |
| Total (N) | 2,887 | 558 | 106 | 306 | 89 | 803 | 246 | 115 | 57 | 470 | 137 |
| Off-campus work hours | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| None | 70.7% | 68.1% | 72.7% | 65.5% | 67.0% | 75.7% | 63.4% | 69.0% | 75.9% | 69.9% | 79.3% |
| 1-10 hours per week | 17.7% | 21.7% | 14.1% | 19.0% | 15.4% | 14.3% | 21.0% | 19.0% | 18.5% | 18.5% | 11.6% |
| 11-20 hours per week | 9.1% | 8.5% | 10.1% | 10.2% | 14.3% | 8.6% | 10.7% | 11.0% | 5.6% | 8.3% | 8.3% |
| 21-30 hours per week | 2.1% | 1.3% | 3.0% | 4.2% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 3.6% | 1.0% | . | 2.6% | 0.8% |
| 31-40 hours per week | 0.4% | 0.2% | . | 1.1% | . | . | 1.3% | . | . | 0.7% | . |
| More than 40 hours per week | 0.1% | 0.2% | . | . | . | 0.1% | . | . | . | . | . |
| Total (N) | 2,668 | 520 | 99 | 284 | 91 | 753 | 224 | 100 | 54 | 422 | 121 |
| Yes, interested in: | College/School | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | |
| Student Government | 16.1% | 14.8% | 16.0% | 27.2% | 7.6% | 13.4% | 16.8% | 17.7% | 7.9% | 17.4% | 13.8% |
| Student Judicial Board | 2.9% | 2.4% | 0.8% | 10.7% | 1.0% | 1.9% | 2.5% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 2.3% | 1.4% |
| Residence Hall Councils | 9.8% | 11.1% | 12.6% | 11.3% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 7.2% | 6.9% | 4.8% | 11.5% | 9.0% |
| Student Leadership Development (workshops, conferences, etc.) | 14.0% | 15.9% | 12.6% | 17.9% | 10.5% | 10.6% | 19.7% | 10.8% | 7.9% | 14.9% | 13.1% |
| Co-op (Cooperative Education) program | 23.6% | 17.2% | 10.1% | 10.7% | 20.0% | 47.0% | 18.6% | 14.6% | 7.9% | 13.8% | 11.7% |
| Study Abroad/National Student Exchange | 48.6% | 52.3% | 45.4% | 56.4% | 47.6% | 41.2% | 59.1% | 56.2% | 58.7% | 44.5% | 46.9% |
| Volunteer Services | 31.9% | 43.0% | 32.8% | 36.1% | 22.9% | 23.4% | 35.5% | 36.9% | 27.0% | 30.2% | 30.3% |
| ROTC | 3.6% | 2.7% | 1.7% | 4.0% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 0.8% | 1.6% | 3.8% | 4.1% |
| Club Sports (Cycling, Baseball, Martial Arts, Ultimate, etc.) | 40.0% | 35.2% | 37.8% | 36.4% | 50.5% | 42.4% | 39.8% | 34.6% | 22.2% | 45.7% | 42.1% |
| Fitness/Wellness (Groups fitness classes, Yoga, Pilates, etc.) | 37.9% | 46.1% | 43.7% | 43.6% | 32.4% | 25.8% | 39.8% | 46.2% | 42.9% | 44.2% | 26.9% |
| Indoor Open Recreation (Cardio Room, Weights, Basketball, etc.) | 34.2% | 31.6% | 36.1% | 26.9% | 46.7% | 34.4% | 39.4% | 30.8% | 28.6% | 37.9% | 31.7% |
| Intramural Sports (Basketball, Flagfootball, Golf, etc.) | 43.7% | 37.6% | 39.5% | 33.8% | 54.3% | 48.7% | 51.6% | 34.6% | 34.9% | 47.2% | 42.8% |
| Outdoor Adventures (Trips, Equipment Checkout, Rock Climbing Workshops, etc.) | 31.4% | 36.9% | 18.5% | 25.1% | 41.9% | 33.2% | 25.4% | 18.5% | 39.7% | 31.7% | 31.7% |
| Social Fraternity/Sorority | 24.2% | 23.0% | 24.4% | 27.5% | 23.8% | 16.6% | 29.7% | 30.0% | 15.9% | 34.3% | 19.3% |
| Student Media/Publications | 10.8% | 8.8% | 5.0% | 19.4% | 3.8% | 8.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% | 20.6% | 12.8% | 9.0% |
| Union Activities Board programs/activities (cultural programs, concerts, etc.) | 13.1% | 16.5% | 10.1% | 15.6% | 7.6% | 10.7% | 14.0% | 14.6% | 17.5% | 11.9% | 13.1% |
| Multicultural/Diversity programs/activities | 11.3% | 13.0% | 15.1% | 15.6% | 4.8% | 8.9% | 8.6% | 8.5% | 14.3% | 13.4% | 9.7% |
| Gender issues (gender communication, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.) | 4.0% | 5.5% | 1.7% | 8.7% | 2.9% | 2.0% | 2.9% | 0.0% | 4.8% | 4.5% | 4.1% |
| GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) programs/activities | 1.9% | 2.4% | 0.8% | 4.6% | 1.0% | 1.4% | 0.7% | 1.5% | 4.8% | 1.3% | 1.4% |
| Healthy lifestyles issues (stress management, sexuality, substance abuse, etc.) | 9.0% | 11.9% | 7.6% | 13.6% | 7.6% | 5.5% | 9.0% | 7.7% | 12.7% | 9.1% | 9.7% |
| Planning programs and services for children and families | 5.5% | 7.7% | 12.6% | 11.8% | 2.9% | 1.8% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 5.7% | 2.8% |
| The Crafts Center programs/activities | 7.0% | 9.6% | 4.2% | 9.5% | 1.0% | 4.6% | 5.4% | 10.8% | 30.2% | 5.8% | 4.8% |
| Music Minor, Bands, Choirs, Orchestras, Chamber Music, Bagpipes, Drums | 13.1% | 12.2% | 17.6% | 15.6% | 7.6% | 17.2% | 6.1% | 6.9% | 15.9% | 9.4% | 17.2% |
| Attending art exhibitions, meeting artists, museum internships | 10.8% | 10.1% | 5.9% | 19.1% | 7.6% | 7.4% | 7.9% | 12.3% | 57.1% | 10.8% | 6.9% |
| Theater participation as artist | 5.6% | 4.5% | 5.0% | 11.3% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 4.7% | 8.5% | 4.8% | 6.6% | 3.4% |
| Theater participation as audience | 13.6% | 14.6% | 8.4% | 18.2% | 12.4% | 11.7% | 11.1% | 15.4% | 23.8% | 13.0% | 15.2% |
| Student Dance Companies | 5.8% | 7.4% | 10.1% | 8.1% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 4.3% | 13.1% | 12.7% | 6.4% | 5.5% |
| Pre-Law services/planning | 4.1% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 20.5% | 3.8% | 0.8% | 6.5% | 0.8% | 1.6% | 4.5% | 0.7% |
| Organizations/Clubs related to your major | 43.7% | 61.3% | 49.6% | 45.7% | 49.5% | 41.6% | 34.1% | 42.3% | 50.8% | 26.8% | 46.9% |
| Total (N) | 3,237 | 623 | 119 | 346 | 105 | 897 | 279 | 130 | 63 | 530 | 145 |
Back to Top Q Interest in campus religious organizations
| College/School | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | |
| Alpha Omega | 0.8% | 1.0% | 1.7% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.7% |
| Anno Domini | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Bridges International | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.0% |
| Brooks Campus Ministry | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 1.6% | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| Campus Christian Fellowship | 11.9% | 12.8% | 22.7% | 11.8% | 12.4% | 10.5% | 10.8% | 9.2% | 12.7% | 10.9% | 15.2% |
| Campus Crusade for Christ | 16.7% | 19.1% | 26.9% | 14.5% | 15.2% | 14.6% | 19.0% | 16.2% | 22.2% | 15.5% | 15.2% |
| Campus Outreach Raleigh | 4.4% | 5.3% | 7.6% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 2.8% | 1.8% | 5.4% | 0.0% | 6.4% | 3.4% |
| Charisma Campus Ministry | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| Christians on Campus | 10.8% | 11.2% | 13.4% | 10.4% | 12.4% | 10.8% | 11.1% | 7.7% | 4.8% | 10.9% | 11.7% |
| East Triangle Church Campus Ministry | 0.4% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Grace Mission Ministries Manna | 1.3% | 3.0% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.6% | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.7% |
| Greek Impact | 3.4% | 3.5% | 2.5% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 3.6% | 6.2% | 3.2% | 4.7% | 2.1% |
| InterVarsity Christian Fellowship | 3.2% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 2.7% | 2.9% | 2.3% | 6.3% | 2.5% | 2.8% |
| Islam and Dialogue Student Association | 0.8% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.0% |
| Life Changers College Ministry | 1.2% | 1.6% | 4.2% | 1.7% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 1.1% | 1.5% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 1.4% |
| Providence College Ministry | 1.1% | 1.8% | 0.8% | 1.2% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 1.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 2.1% |
| Self Knowledge Symposium | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.0% | 1.4% | 1.0% | 0.6% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| The Lord???s Generation | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 1.2% | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 1.4% |
| The Navigators | 0.8% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 0.6% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.7% |
| Uninhibited Praise | 0.8% | 0.6% | 3.4% | 1.4% | 0.0% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.0% |
| United Student Fellowship Christian Ministry | 3.9% | 4.5% | 5.0% | 4.3% | 3.8% | 2.7% | 4.7% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 4.0% | 6.9% |
| University Bible Fellowship | 3.5% | 4.5% | 4.2% | 3.2% | 2.9% | 2.7% | 5.0% | 1.5% | 0.0% | 3.8% | 4.1% |
| Total (N) | 3,237 | 623 | 119 | 346 | 105 | 897 | 279 | 130 | 63 | 530 | 145 |
Back to Top Q Location of future employment
| Location of future employment | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| In North Carolina only | 16.7% | 19.1% | 60.4% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 11.8% | 20.1% | 12.8% | 6.7% | 15.6% | 9.3% |
| Anywhere in the USA | 32.5% | 21.9% | 19.8% | 29.7% | 52.6% | 37.5% | 31.7% | 35.9% | 40.0% | 37.4% | 28.6% |
| Outside the USA only | 0.5% | . | . | 0.6% | . | 1.0% | 0.4% | . | 5.0% | 0.4% | . |
| Anywhere - location is not important | 29.0% | 20.3% | 12.6% | 31.0% | 25.8% | 32.9% | 36.7% | 37.6% | 36.7% | 28.5% | 29.3% |
| I do not plan to be employed (e.g., grad school, travel) | 21.3% | 38.6% | 7.2% | 23.2% | 6.2% | 16.9% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.7% | 18.1% | 32.9% |
| Total (N) | 3,013 | 585 | 111 | 323 | 97 | 834 | 259 | 117 | 60 | 487 | 140 |
| Location of future employment (among those seeking employment) | NCSU | College/School | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALS | CED | CHASS | CNR | COE | COM | COT | Design | FYC | PAMS | ||
| In North Carolina only | 21.2% | 31.2% | 65.0% | 20.2% | 16.5% | 14.1% | 22.6% | 14.9% | 7.5% | 19.0% | 13.8% |
| Anywhere in the USA | 41.3% | 35.7% | 21.4% | 38.7% | 56.0% | 45.2% | 35.7% | 41.6% | 45.3% | 45.6% | 42.6% |
| Outside the USA only | 0.7% | . | . | 0.8% | . | 1.2% | 0.4% | . | 5.7% | 0.5% | . |
| Anywhere - location is not important | 36.8% | 33.1% | 13.6% | 40.3% | 27.5% | 39.5% | 41.3% | 43.6% | 41.5% | 34.8% | 43.6% |
| Total (N) | 2,371 | 359 | 103 | 248 | 91 | 693 | 230 | 101 | 53 | 399 | 94 |
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: May, 2010
Return to 2009 First-Year Student Survey Table of Contents Page