What Matters in College After College a Comparative Alumni Research

What Matters in College After College

A Comparative Alumnae Research Study

Prepared for the Women’s College Coalition www.womenscolleges.org

February 24 and March 7, 2012

Susan Lennon Women’s College Coalition [email protected]

Jim Day Hardwick~Day [email protected]

3 Key Messages

A women’s college education…

• Proves its value over a lifetime

• Develops critical skills for life and career

• Enables students to engage with top faculty and resources

• Creates leaders, communicators, and persuaders

4 What These Data Are

One point in the Coalition’s research agenda to:

• Provide a clear base for marketing strategies and initiatives that differentiate the benefits of our sector from other sectors

• Provide data on areas where we fall short or have room for improvement and change.

5 Why Does the World Need Women’s Colleges? Defining our Research Agenda

From our strategic plan:

The Coalition will develop and implement a creative research agenda that provides members and opinion leaders with compelling data and analysis of the effectiveness of a women’s college education and that illuminates the factors that can impede or enhance the well-being and success of women and girls before, during, and after college.

Goal 1: Building on the findings of Hardwick-Day, NSSE, and other studies, develop a research initiative that examines the effectiveness of women’s colleges as a sector in achieving specific learning outcomes for our students and alumnae.

Goal 2: Facilitate collaborative research initiatives among women’s colleges that produce new knowledge about innovative practices in women’s education and a deeper understanding of factors promoting or impeding women’s the well-being, achievement and success of women and girls. Priority will be given to projects that are fundable, linked to larger national/global discussions and priorities, and likely to raise the visibility of women’s colleges.

6 Implications for Understanding Today’s College Women

Are there gender differences in the “impact” of college?

7 The Gender Gap in College

Study A:

Forty year trends in women’s college population: how have the backgrounds, characteristics, and predispositions of women’s college attendees shifted over past 4 decades. How does the shift compare to women at coed, liberal arts colleges?

Study C:

Examination of faculty at women’s colleges: what are the characteristics and experiences of faculty at women’s colleges and how does this compare to faculty and similar coed institutions?

8 Study Rationale

The Women’s Colleges Comparative Alumnae Research Project is organized around key factors identified by education researchers Alexander Astin, Ernest T. Pascarella and Patrick T. Terenzini as critical to educational effectiveness, specifically, those elements of the college environment that contribute to students’ positive outcomes:

• Interaction between faculty and students

• A strong community and peer interactions both inside and outside the classroom

• A challenging, active classroom environment

Most previous studies assess students at graduation or in the first few years afterwards. This study was undertaken to assess lasting college effects, interviewing alumnae of each class more than 30 years after graduation, from 1970-2006. 9 What Matters in College

“Our review indicates two persistent themes in the research literature on college effects.

The first is the central role of other people in a student’s life, whether students or faculty. . . .

The second theme is the potency of the student’s effort and involvement in the academic and non- academic systems of the institutions they attend.”

Ernest T. Pascarella and Patrick T. Terenzini, How College Affects Students, 1991. 10

What Matters: Environment

“… although different types of institutions tend to have particular types of environments, … it is the environment created by the faculty and the students … that really seems to matter.

Finally, the single most important environmental influence on student development is the peer group.”

Alexander W. Astin, What Matters in College? Four Critical Years Revisited, 1993. 11 What Matters: Involvement

“The research is unequivocal: students who are actively involved in both academic and out-of-class activities gain more from the college experience than those who are not so involved.”

Ernest T. Pascarella and Patrick T. Terenzini, How College Affects Students, 1991. 12 Study Methodology

• Study conducted by Hardwick~Day using new Women’s Colleges alumnae interviews and interviews held in an alumni database • 21-24 minute telephone interviews conducted August 30-November 15, 2011 • Women graduates of graduating classes 1990-2006 from four-year institutions  Comparisons will be made to 1970-89 graduates when significant and interesting changes have occurred • Interviews are proportioned to be representative of the average enrollment over the study years with:

– 178 alumnae of women’s colleges and universities  39 (87%) of the four-year Women’s Colleges are represented Another private college group (excluding the women’s colleges): – 374 alumnae of other four-year liberal arts colleges  178 colleges represented And a public university group: – 164 alumnae of national “flagship” public universities  95 of 118 (81% of the universities) represented 13 Study Methodology

• The margin of sampling error differs by group and between groups according to sample size, but can be generally summarized as: – Women’s Colleges and Universities +/-7.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level – Other Liberal Arts Colleges: +/-5.2 – Flagship Public Universities: +/-7.8 • Throughout this presentation, the groups represented in the charts are comprised of graduates from 1990-2006. When there are differences between the decades (1970-89 and 1990-2006), the percentages will be displayed in a box over the corresponding data point. The significantly higher number will be shown in bold type:

1970-89 1990-06 47% 68% 14

Selected Alumnae Characteristics 15 As a Group, Women’s Colleges Alumnae Chose Colleges that Are Somewhat Less Selective than the Liberal Arts Colleges and Flagship Public Universities

5% 9% Less/ Least 32% selective 39% Selective 56%

More selective 47% 66%

30% Most selective 9% 4% 2% Women's Colleges' and Liberal Arts Colleges' Alumnae Flagship Public Universities' Universities' Alumnae Alumnae

Selectivity of college attended as indicated in U.S. News & World Report 16 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than Public University Alumnae to Have Lived on Campus for Most of Their College Years

100%

80% 80% 75%

60%

40% 29%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.K For most of your college years, did you live (on campus)? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than 17 Flagship Public University Alumnae to Say They Benefited Very Much from a Safe Campus Environment

100%

80% 72% 64% 60%

40% 37%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) 18 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than All Other Alumnae to Have Graduated in Four Years or Less

100% 87% 79% 80%

60% 54%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.18 How many years did it take you to complete your undergraduate degree? (Four years or less) 19 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were as Likely as increase for Liberal Arts Colleges Alumnae to Have Received Women’s a Grant or Scholarship to Attend College Colleges (and L.A. colleges)

100% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 49% 74% 58% 76% 48% 55%

80% 74% 76%

60% 55%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts group

Q.13 Did you receive a scholarship or grant to attend college? 20 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than Other increase for Alumnae to Have Taken a Loan to Attend College Women’s Colleges

100%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 47% 68% 57% 58% 44% 43% 80% 68% 58% 60%

43% 40% 93% say 94% say loans were loans were a good a good 89% say investment investment loans were 20% a good investment

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.14 Did you take out loans to attend college? Q.15a Were the loans a good investment on your part? 21 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were as Likely as Other increase for Alumnae to Have Worked During the School Year Women’s Colleges (and L.A. colleges)

100% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 61% 74% 63% 71% 68% 70%

80% 74% 71% 70%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences

Q.17 Were you usually working during the college school year? 22 Current Employment Status for Women’s Colleges Alumnae is Similar to Alumnae From Other Colleges and Universities

13% 11% 24% Homemaker 6% 2% 4%

Seeking employment 78% 83% 70%

Employed

Women's Colleges' and Liberal Arts Colleges' Flagship Public Universities' Universities' Alumnae Alumnae Alumnae

No groups are different from the Women’s Colleges on “employed.” Women’s Colleges alumnae are higher than the Liberal Arts Colleges on “seeking employment,” while the Flagship Public alumnae are higher than all other groups for “homemaker.”

Q.J1 Which of the following describe your current employment status? 23 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Liberal Arts Colleges Alumnae to Believe it Is Extremely Important to Be Well-Off Financially

100%

80%

60%

40% 30% 29% 21% 20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than Liberal Arts Colleges group, and similar to the Public University Graduates group

Q.19 How important is (in your current life and career)…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all important and 5 = extremely important) 24 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are as Likely as Other Alumnae to Believe it Is Extremely Important to Raise a Family

100%

80% 70% 70% 65%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences

Q.19 How important is (in your current life and career)…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all important and 5 = extremely important) 25 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are as Likely as Other Alumnae to Be Married or Partnered

100%

80% 72% 71% 65%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences

Q.B And are you…(married or partnered)? 26 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are as Likely as Other Alumnae to Say They Benefited Very Much from a Good Balance Between Other groups have Academics, Social and Personal Development caught up/surpassed the Women’s colleges 100%

80%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 43% 42% 38% 47% 24% 36% 60% 47% 42% 40% 36%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

No group is significantly different from the Women’s Colleges group

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely 27 than Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Be Involved in an Extracurricular Activity

100% 95% 96%

84% 80%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? (Total involved) 28 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than increase for Women’s All Other Graduates to Be Involved in Colleges (and Academic Clubs and Activities L.A. colleges) 100%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 50% 69% 44% 55% 40% 41% 80% 69%

60% 55%

41% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? 29 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Be Involved in Volunteer or Community Service Activities

100%

80% 74% 70%

60% 57%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than 30 Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Be Involved in Music or Theater Performances

100%

80%

60%

40% 35% 37%

20% 20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were Equally Likely as Public 31 Universities Graduates to Be Involved in Intramural Athletics, and Less Likely than Liberal Arts College Graduates

100%

80%

60%

38% 40% 25% 22% 20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is similar to the Flagship Public Universities group; the Liberal Arts Colleges group is significantly higher

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? 32 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Be Involved in Varsity Athletics

100%

80%

60%

40%

22% 20% 17% 6%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? 33 A women’s college education…

Proves its value over a lifetime. Graduating from a women’s college, versus a co-ed public college or university, significantly increases a woman’s chances of earning a graduate degree. Women’s college graduates succeed in entering a range of career fields and graduate programs, regardless of their undergraduate major. The vast majority (90%) of women’s college alumnae believe the financial investment in their education was worthwhile and that the intellectual and personal capacities they gained are still extremely important to them.

34 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Other Graduates to Be “Completely Satisfied” with the Overall Quality of Their Education

1% 1% 2% 6% 3% 12% 2,1 - Not 21% satisfied 35%

45% 3

4 72% 60% 41% 5 - Completely satisfied

Women's Colleges' and Liberal Arts Colleges' Flagship Public Universities' Alumnae Alumnae Universities' Alumnae

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups on “completely satisfied”

Q. 7 How satisfied are you with the overall quality of the education you received from your college? (rating on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all satisfied and 5=completely satisfied). 35 Recent Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Significant increase for Older Alumnae to Be “Completely Satisfied” with the Women’s Overall Quality of Their Education Colleges (and L.A. colleges)

100% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 62% 72% 53% 60% 44% 41%

80% 72%

60% 60%

41% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups on “completely satisfied”

Q. 7 How satisfied are you with the overall quality of the education you received from your college? (rating on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all satisfied and 5=completely satisfied). 36 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Say They Felt Better Prepared for Life After College

4% 5% 7% Not as well 38% prepared 44%

65% Equally well prepared

56% 50% Better prepared 24%

Women's Colleges' and Liberal Arts Colleges' Flagship Public Universities' Alumnae Alumnae Universities' Alumnae

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group for “better prepared,” and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.9 How prepared were you for life after college, such as for graduate school or your first job, compared to students from other colleges? 37 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than Any Other Group to Complete a Graduate Degree

College graduate 43%

62% 64%

6% Some grad school 5% 9% 51% Graduate 33% degree 27%

Women's Colleges' and Liberal Arts Colleges' Flagship Public Universities' Universities' Alumnae Alumnae Alumnae

The Women’s Colleges alumnae are significantly more likely to have a “graduate degree” than all other alumnae

Q.A What level of education have you completed? 38 Significant Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings increase for than All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Women’s Students to Be Prepared for Their First Job Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 100% 69% 81% 63% 70% 63% 65%

81% 80% 70% 65%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 39 Significant Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings increase for than Flagship Public Universities for Helping Students Women’s Colleges (and to Be Prepared for Career Change or Advancement L.A. colleges)

100% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 64% 71% 55% 63% 56% 60%

80% 71% 63% 60% 60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 40 Significant A College Network (Alumnae, Faculty, Friends) Played a Greater Role increase for for Women’s Colleges Alumnae than Public Universities Alumnae in Women’s Colleges (and Being Accepted to Graduate School or Finding a First Job L.A. colleges) 100%

80%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 60% 29% 41% 29% 35% 23% 30%

41% 40% 35% 30%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.11 Did any of the following factors play an important role in being accepted to graduate school or finding your first real job? 41 The Overall Quality and Breadth of Academic Preparation Played a Similar Role for Alumnae in Being Accepted to Graduate School or Finding a First Job

100%

81% 80% 76% 68%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is not significantly different from any other group

Q.11 Did any of the following factors play an important role in being accepted to graduate school or finding your first real job? 42 For All Groups, the Selected Major Was Similarly Likely to Play an Important Role in Being Accepted to Graduate School or Finding a First Job

100%

80% 68% 65% 62% 60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences

Q.11 Did any of the following factors play an important role in being accepted to graduate school or finding your first real job? 43 The Reputation of the College Was Similarly Important Significantly for All Graduates in Being Accepted to Graduate School less important or Finding a First Job for Women’s Colleges 100%

80% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 70% 56% 56% 55% 53% 51%

60% 56% 55% 51%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences between groups

Q.11 Did any of the following factors play an important role in being accepted to graduate school or finding your first real job? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than the Flagship 44 Public Universities Alumnae to Say They Benefited Very Much Significant drop from a Strong Overall Academic Reputation for Women’s Colleges 100%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 80% 71% 61% 60% 59% 41% 44%

61% 59% 60%

44% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is similar to the Liberal Arts colleges, and significantly higher than the Flagship Public group

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) 45 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are as Likely as Other drop for Graduates to Say They Benefited Very Much from a Women’s Strong Reputation in Their Academic Major Colleges 100%

80%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 48% 38% 36% 33% 35% 42% 60%

42% 38% 40% 33%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is not significantly different from any other group

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) 46 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Drop for all Other Alumnae to Believe the Financial Investment groups— They Made in College Was Worth It they’re younger 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 97% 90% 92% 82% 89% 81% 100% 90% 82% 81% 80%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.12 How much do you agree of disagree with the following statement…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree) 47

A women’s college education…

Develops critical skills for life and career. As studies repeatedly underscore the need for critical thinking, global knowledge, intercultural competence, and real- world abilities, women’s colleges surpass co-ed public colleges and universities in helping students learn to think analytically, bring social and historical perspective to issues, work as part of a team, write and speak effectively, make sound decisions, gain entry to a career, prepare for career change or advancement, and be politically and socially aware. 48 Employers’ expectations of college graduates:

Skills and Knowledge

Teamwork Ethical judgment Intercultural skills Social responsibility Quantitative reasoning Oral communication Self-knowledge Adaptability Critical thinking Writing Self-direction Global knowledge

(Research conducted on behalf of the Association of American Colleges and Universities by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2008 http://www.aacu.org/advocacy/leap/documents/2008_Business_Leader_Poll.pdf)

49 Employers’ expectations of college graduates cont’d:

Skills and Knowledge

Employers also look at how college graduates applied these skills and knowledge to complex, real-world challenges and projects that integrated problem solving, writing, and analytical reasoning skills in such hands-on opportunities as internships, community service projects, study abroad experiences and senior projects.

50 Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings than All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students to Develop the Ability to Learn New Skills

100% 91% 84% 80% 76%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 51 Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings than All Public Universities for Helping Students Learn to Write Effectively

100% 86% 83% 80% 76%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings than 52 All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students Significant increase for Learn to Speak Effectively all groups

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 73% 87% 67% 76% 57% 70% 100% 87%

80% 76% 70%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

100% 89% 85%

80% 71%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

100% 86% 82% 80% 67%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 55 Women’s Colleges Receive Similar Effectiveness Ratings to Significant Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students increase for Learn to Work as Part of a Team all groups

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06

100% 72% 84% 69% 81% 66% 76%

84% 81% 80% 76%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences between groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings 57 than All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students Significant Learn to Relate to People of Different Backgrounds increase for Women’s Colleges 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 (and publics) 78% 88% 69% 75% 62% 74% 100% 88%

80% 75% 74%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

100%

80% 77%

64% 60% 54%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 59 Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings than All Significant Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students Develop increase for Moral Principles That Can Guide Actions Women’s Colleges (and publics) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 100% 73% 84% 66% 70% 34% 45%

84% 80% 70%

60% 45%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings 60 than All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students to Place Problems in Social and Historical Perspective

100%

80% 76% 67%

60% 54%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 61 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than All Other Graduates to Be Graded on Essay Exams and Written Reports

Women's Colleges and 79% 11% 8% Universities

Liberal Arts Colleges 70% 18% 10%

Flagship Public 48% 23% 27% Universities

Essay exams and reports Both equally Multiple choice questions

The Women’s Colleges group is higher than the other groups for “Essay exams” and lower on “Multiple choice questions” (Flagships) and “Both equally” (both groups) Q.3 Would you say that most of your grades were based on…? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than All 62 Other Graduates to Say Their Experience Often Included Significant Extensive Classroom Discussions increase for all groups 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 75% 88% 72% 81% 40% 56% 100% 88% 81% 80%

60% 56%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

100%

80% 75%

64% 60%

40% 37%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) 64 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than increase for Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Participate in Women’s College-Sponsored Internships or Other Applied Learning Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 100%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 80% 45% 63% 48% 58% 47% 49%

63% 58% 60% 49%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.5 While in college, did you participate in…? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than 65 Flagship Public Universities Alumnae to Participate in Faculty-Directed Research or Independent Study

100%

80%

59% 60% 52%

40% 35%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.5 While in college, did you participate in…? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than Flagship 66 Public Universities Graduates to Participate in International Study or Another Off-Campus Study Experience

100%

80%

60% 48% 49%

40% 37%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.5 While in college, did you participate in…? 67 A women’s college education…

Enables students to engage with top faculty and resources. Women’s college graduates attribute their success to interaction with “a high quality teaching- oriented faculty.” They report strong benefits from mentoring, small classes and personal interaction with professors. At women’s colleges, all of the resources, from sophisticated research equipment to preeminent athletics facilities to internship and fellowship funding, are focused on and available to women students.

68 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than All Other Alumnae to Say They Benefited Very Much from Good Academic Facilities and Equipment

100%

80%

60% 52%

38% 40% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) 69 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than All Other Alumnae to Say They Benefited Very Much from A High Quality, Teaching-Oriented Faculty

100%

78% 80% 70%

60%

39% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship 70 Significant Public University Graduates to Say They Benefited Very Much increase for from Personal Interaction with Professors Women’s Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 100% 63% 77% 56% 70% 24% 32%

80% 77% 70%

60%

40% 32%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is similar to the Liberal Arts colleges, and significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship 71 Public Universities Graduates to Say They Benefited Very Much Significant increase for from Many Small Classes with Fewer than Twenty Students Women’s Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 100% 73% 84% 64% 76% 13% 18%

84% 80% 76%

60%

40%

18% 20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is similar to the Liberal Arts colleges, and significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group

100% 93% 91%

80%

60% 46%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) 73 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are Less Likely than Public Universities Significant Alumnae to Say Their Experience Often Included the Use of increase for Teaching Assistants in Classes or Discussion Sections Women’s Colleges (and publics) 100%

80%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 60% 4% 11% 5% 6% 23% 33%

40% 33%

20% 11% 6%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly lower than the Flagship Public Universities group, and higher than the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship 74 Public Universities Graduates to Agree Faculty Were Interested Significant in Students Personally as Well as Academically increase for Women’s Colleges 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 83% 91% 83% 86% 40% 45% 100% 91% 86%

80%

60% 45%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.12 How much do you agree of disagree with the following statement…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Public Universities 75 Alumnae to Say Their Professors Often Challenged Them Academically, But Also Personally Helped Them Meet Those Challenges

100% 89% 86%

80%

60% 54%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) 76 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Have Found a Mentor in College

100% 87% 87%

80%

64% 60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.4 Who, if anyone, did you meet at college who was a mentor or role model for you? (total who mentioned at least one) 77 A Professor Is Most Likely to Be Cited as a Mentor in College

100%

80% 74% 71%

60% 51%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.4 Who, if anyone, did you meet at college who was a mentor or role model for you? (a professor) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Alumnae From 78 Significant increase for Public Universities to Say Their Experience Often Included Women’s Conversations with Professors Outside of Class Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 100% 65% 79% 60% 74% 30% 35%

79% 80% 74%

60%

40% 35%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) The Quality of References by Faculty or Staff Played More 79 of a Role for Women’s Colleges Alumnae in Being Accepted to Graduate School or Finding a First Job

100%

80%

63% 58% 60% 47%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public University group

Q.11 Did any of the following factors play an important role in being accepted to graduate school or finding your first real job? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than 80 Flagship Public Universities Alumnae to Agree There Was a Sense of Community Among Students

100% 90% 86%

80% 67%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges

Q.12 How much do you agree of disagree with the following statement…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than the Public 81 Universities Alumnae to Say Their Experience Often Included Friendships that Developed from Classroom Experiences

100%

78% 80% 73%

58% 60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship 82 Public Universities Graduates to Say Their Experience Often Included Interaction with Other Students with Similar Values

100%

84% 85% 80% 70%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) 83 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Public Universities Alumnae to Say They Benefited Very Much from Interaction With Other Students Who Share Their Interests

100%

80%

60% 56% 56% 45%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges, and significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group

Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=did not benefit at all and 5=benefited very much) 84

A women’s college education…

Creates leaders, communicators, and persuaders. Speaking out and speaking up – key components of leadership and civic engagement – are capacities actively developed at women’s colleges. Women’s college alumnae report more in-class experience with making presentations than their peers at other institutions and are more likely to gain leadership experience in student government and campus media.

Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings 85 than All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students Develop Self-Confidence and Initiative

100% 92% 84% 80% 70%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings 86 than All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Significant Students Have a Sense of Purpose in Life increase for Women’s Colleges 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 77% 86% 72% 75% 61% 57% 100% 86%

80% 75%

60% 57%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings 87 Significant than All Other Colleges and Universities for increase for Helping Students Learn to Be a Leader Women’s Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 75% 87% 62% 74% 55% 63% 100% 87%

80% 74%

63% 60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 88 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than increase for Women’s Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Have a Colleges (and Leadership Role in an Extracurricular Activity L.A. colleges)

100% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 60% 76% 62% 69% 50% 48%

80% 76% 69%

60% 48%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.6B Did you have any leadership roles in …? (total who had a leadership role) 89 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than increase for All Other Alumnae to Say Their Experience Often Included Women’s Student Presentations in Class Colleges (and L.A. colleges) 100% 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 51% 70% 39% 52% 36% 45% 80% 70%

60% 52% 45%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=never and 5=always) 90 Significant Women’s Colleges Alumnae Were More Likely than All increase for Women’s Other Graduates to Be Involved in Colleges (and Campus Publications or Student Government L.A. colleges) 100%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 80% 40% 51% 25% 32% 15% 12%

60% 51%

40% 32%

20% 12%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.6A Were you involved in any of the following…? 91 Significant Women’s Colleges Receive Higher Effectiveness Ratings than increase for All Other Colleges and Universities for Helping Students Women’s Develop Moral Principles That Can Guide Actions Colleges (and publics) 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 100% 73% 84% 66% 70% 34% 45%

84% 80% 70%

60% 45%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you with…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all effective and 5 = extremely effective) 92 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Other Graduates to Believe it Is Extremely Important to Promote Racial Equality or Other Social Justice Issues

100%

80%

60% 52%

39% 41% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.19 How important is (in your current life and career)…? (rating a 5 on a five- point scale, where 1= not at all important and 5 = extremely important) 93 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Other Graduates to Believe it Is Extremely Important to Contribute to Their Community

100%

80%

60% 50% 41% 41% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Liberal Arts Colleges; the Flagship Public Universities group is not significant due to sample size

Q.19 How important is (in your current life and career)…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all important and 5 = extremely important) 94 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than All Other Graduates to Be Involved with Community Service

100%

1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 1970-89 1990-06 80% 69% 61% 62% 52% 67% 41%

61% 60% 52%

41% 40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is higher than all other groups Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity…? 95 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than All Other Graduates to Be Involved with Foundations or Non-Profit Community Organizations

100%

82% 80% 74% 68%

60%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups

Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity…? 96 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Other Alumnae to Financially Support Foundations or Non-Profit Community Organizations

100%

80% 76%

64% 60% 57%

40%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than all other groups Q.20 Have you financially supported (organization) within the past five years? Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than 97 Public Universities Graduates to Be Involved with Their Undergraduate College or University

100%

80%

60% 54% 48%

40%

20% 15%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.20 In the past five years, have you been involved in the volunteer activity…? 98 The Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Other Graduates to Financially Support Their Undergraduate College or University

100%

80%

60% 50% 43% 40%

20% 12%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.20 Have you financially supported (organization) within the past five years? 99 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are More Likely than Flagship Public Universities Graduates to Agree Their College Helped Them to Integrate Faith Into Other Aspects of Their Lives

100%

80%

60%

38% 40% 35%

20% 20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

The Women’s Colleges group is significantly higher than the Flagship Public Universities group, and similar to the Liberal Arts Colleges group

Q.12 How much do you agree of disagree with the following statement…? (rating a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree) 100 Women’s Colleges Alumnae Are as Likely as Other Graduates to Believe it Is Extremely Important to Integrate Faith or Spirituality in Their Lives

100%

80%

60% 45% 41% 40% 36%

20%

0% Women's Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges Flagship Public Universities Universities

There are no significant differences

Q.19 How important is (in your current life and career)…? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1= not at all important and 5 = extremely important) 101 Questions? Observations?

Susan Lennon Women’s College Coalition [email protected]

Jim Day Hardwick~Day [email protected]