Research

 

Surveys of College and University Presidents

Conducted in March and July 2020, these surveys explore the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how college and university presidents planned to respond to the financial fallout. The July survey also explored presidents’ planning in response to calls for racial justice and to address anti-Black racism within their institutions and on their campuses.

“Responding to the Ongoing COVID-19 Crisis and to Calls for Racial Justice:
A Survey of College and University Presidents” (2020)

“COVID-19 Strategy Survey of AAC&U Presidents” (2020)

Employer Surveys and Economic Trend Research

AAC&U periodically commissions national surveys and conducts focus groups to examine trends related to college graduates and the most important learning experiences and outcomes they need to navigate the global economy successfully.

LATEST REPORT:

“How College Contributes to Workforce Success: Employer Views on What Matters Most” (2021)

PREVIOUS REPORTS:

"Fulfilling the American Dream: Liberal Education and the Future of Work" (2018)

"Falling Short? College Learning and Career Success" (2015)

"It Takes More Than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success" (2013)

"Raising the Bar: Employers' Views on College Learning in the Wake of the Economic Downturn" (2010)

"How Should Colleges Assess And Improve Student Learning? Employers' Views on the Accountability Challenge" (2008)

"How Should Colleges Prepare Students To Succeed in Today's Global Economy?" (2007)

Employment Outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences Majors

With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Spencer Foundation, and the Teagle Foundation, AAC&U and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems published this joint 2014 report on earnings and long-term career paths for college graduates with different undergraduate majors. The report provides answers to common questions posed by students, parents, and policymakers who are increasingly concerned about the value of college degrees.

"How Liberal Arts and Sciences Majors Fare in Employment: A Report on Earnings and Long-Term Career Paths" (2014)

National Survey of AAC&U Member Chief Academic Officers

AAC&U surveyed chief academic officers at member institutions between July and October 2015 concerning priorities related to learning outcomes, assessment, general education design, high-impact practices, and data tracking and goal setting around equity and quality learning. With support from USA Funds, AAC&U conducted structured interviews with fourteen of the respondents, focusing on minority-serving and predominately white institutions and particularly on those who were tracking data in at least some disaggregated ways. The findings were released in three separate reports.

Bringing Equity and Quality Learning Together: Institutional Priorities for Tracking and Advancing Underserved Students' Success (2015)

​Recent Trends in General Education Design, Learning Outcomes, and Teaching Approaches (2015)

Trends in Learning Outcomes Assessment: Key Findings from a Survey among Administrators at AAC&U Member Institutions (2015)