News Release Archive

NEWS RELEASE (CNS934) -->> EDUCATION/CULTURE--UNIVERSITY
GRADUATES-FOLLOW-UP SURVEY RELEASED




EDUCATION/CULTURE--UNIVERSITY GRADUATES-FOLLOW-UP SURVEY RELEASED
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A survey shows that the vast majority of 1995 Maritime university
graduates were pleased with the education they received.

Responses from last year's graduates indicated that 92 per cent
of Maritime university graduates were somewhat or very satisfied
with their investment of time, while 83 per cent are somewhat or
very satisfied with their investment of money. The information
was found in a follow-up survey of 1995 university graduates
released today.

The survey also revealed that 94 per cent felt that the
university experience increased their knowledge of career
opportunities.

The survey was conducted by the Maritime Provinces Higher
Education Council (MPHEC), with cooperation of the Maritime
provinces and universities. The goal was to provide a reliable
and timely picture of recent university graduates.

The survey asked graduates about their employment experience,
geographic mobility, how they financed their education, and
educational experiences since completing their degrees. This
survey of the class of 1995 from 17 universities represents the
first regional approach to graduate follow-up studies in Canada.

"This first-of-its-kind survey highlights interesting findings on
graduate employment, relocation and how graduates financed their
education," said Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison.
"Overall, it reveals that graduates were satisfied and well
served by the education received at our Maritime universities."

The survey also found that employment experiences of Nova Scotia
graduates are comparable to those of graduates from the other
Maritime provinces. Sixty-nine per cent of graduates in Nova
Scotia were employed full-time after graduation and an additional
12 per cent were employed part-time. Another 10 percent reported
they were waiting for a job to start, returning to school or not
looking for work.

Regionally, graduates of health related studies were more likely
to be employed full-time (82 per cent), followed by graduates of
engineering and applied science programs (74 per cent). Graduates
of humanities and fine and applied arts programs were least
likely to be employed on a full-time basis (59 per cent).

While some graduates left the region after graduation, 44 per
cent of those who moved had not lived in the region before
attending university. Much of the relocation involved movement
among the three Maritime provinces. In fact, one-third of
graduates from New Brunswick and one-third from Prince Edward
Island relocated to Nova Scotia after graduation. As well,
graduates who left the Maritimes did not receive significant
benefits from relocation. They are not more likely to be employed
and only slightly more likely to earn more money than graduates
who remained in the region.

Survey findings also suggest that a university education
continues to be a good financial investment. On average, a
bachelor's level graduate working in a full-time position, earns
approximately $25,000 annually, one year after graduation.
Earnings also increased in relation to the degree received. For
example, graduates from professional programs earn on average
$35,138 and master's level graduates, on average, earned $44,000.

In the area of student debt load, the survey found that 51 per
cent of graduates had completed university with no debt load. For
the 49 per cent who borrowed to finance their education, the
average debt load was approximately $12,000.

In future surveys, trends will be monitored to track the
successes and satisfaction of graduates. It will also be
important to compare the results of this survey with those of
future surveys to reveal trends particular to Nova Scotia. These
surveys will also be compared to future national Statistics
Canada surveys.

-30-

Contact: Catherine MacIsaac  902-424-2795

         Daniel Godbout      506-453-2844

trp                      Dec. 13, 1996 - 8:50 a.m.