New Survey Reveals Strong Gains For Graduates Of AP-Supported Programs

Findings of Ipsos/Academic Partnerships ROI Survey

Washington DC, September 25, 2023—Academic Partnerships (AP) helps regional public universities and small colleges develop and grow their online degree programs in nursing, teaching, business, and other high-demand sectors. Amidst the important national conversation about the cost and value of higher education, AP commissioned Ipsos to measure the experience of graduates of AP-supported programs. The AP ROI Survey reveals that graduates of AP-supported programs fare well – from salary gains and career advancement, to low debt levels and short payback, to overall satisfaction with their degree.

Programs Deliver Double-Digit Salary Increases And A Short Payback Period

Graduates of AP-supported programs average substantial salary gains within just one year of earning their degrees. In fact, recent grads – those who earned their degree in either 2022 or 2021 – show a 20% increase in salary one year after degree completion[1]. This works out to an average of $13,700 and offers these grads the ability to payback their tuition in just 1.2 years, on average[2]. Importantly, this pattern holds true across key program verticals – education, nursing, and business.

  • Education: 1-year salary increase of 18%; ability to payback tuition in 1.25 years
  • Nursing: 1-year salary increase of 20%; ability to payback tuition in 1.25 years
  • Business: 1-year salary increase of 21%; ability to payback tuition in 1.13 years
Payback by industry (rounded to nearest hundred) Among those graduating in 2021-2022

 

Pull quote: I received a pay increase for several years that was more than what I paid for the cost of my degree. Teacher (Female, 50+)Meanwhile, those who graduated three years ago – between 2019 and 2020 – see a salary increase of 29%, or $18,400 on average.

Majority Fund Their Degrees Without Loans

Student loans are a huge piece of the higher ed conversation these days. However, loans make up less than half of degree program funding among graduates of AP-supported programs – 38%, representing $6,340, on average, among graduates overall. Moreover, 54% of grads did not take on any student loan debt.

Often, graduates of AP-supported programs leveraged their own income or savings (39%, representing $6,460 on average) and employer tuition assistance (12%, $2,000) to fund their degrees.

Q6. How did you pay for your online degree program? (Please provide your best estimate of the percent paid for by each of the categories below. If you didn’t use a category, you can allocate 0% to it.) Base: Total respondents working full- or part-time since starting their degree program (n=916)

Graduates Overwhelmingly Affirm The Value Of Their Degrees

Given the bump in salary that graduates of AP-supported programs receive – and the relatively low debt burden incurred – it comes as little surprise that graduate satisfaction is high. Affordability (69%) and length of time required to complete the degree program (41%) are paramount in graduates’ decisions to go with their chosen universities. Overwhelmingly (85%), graduates see their investment as being worthwhile.

Q5. Why did you choose the university you earned your online degree from? (Select top 3 reasons.) Q15. Please rate your level of agreement with the statement below. (Strongly and Somewhat agree shown) Base: Total respondents working full- or part-time since starting their degree program (n=916)

My degree was definitely worth the investment. I am proud to have my BSN because it gives me flexibility and freedom within the nursing workforce.         School nurse  (Female, Under30)

Meanwhile, the appeal of AP-supported degree programs goes beyond dollars and cents and calendar months.

Pull quote: I would not have advanced without my degree. Public Service Division Manager (Male, 50+)Professional development and career growth are key factors to graduates when deciding on a degree program. Fully six in 10 (61%) report choosing their online degree program for potential career advancement opportunities. Even more – two in three (67%) – agree that their degree helped them do just that.

 

Q3. Why did you choose to pursue your online degree program? (Select top 3 reasons.) Q14. Please rate your level of agreement with the statement below. (Strongly and Somewhat agree shown) Base: Total respondents working full- or part-time since starting their degree program (n=916)

 

Perhaps the ultimate sign of satisfaction, graduates of AP-supported programs overwhelmingly would recommend their degree programs to friends or colleagues.

Pull quote: Great teachers, flexible schedules – completed the accelerated program in a little under 2 years.  I was able to keep my work-life balance while completing my MBA degree and working full time. Account Manager, Marketing / Advertising (Female, Under 30) I have already recommended the path I took – and others are following in that path and have applied or have been accepted into the same program. University Professor (Female, 50+)Eight in 10 (81%) give a rating of “8,” “9,” or “10” on a 0-to-10 likelihood to recommend

scale. What’s more, a majority (57%) give a rating of “10” on this measure, the highest rating.

Likelihood to recommend online degree program to a friend or colleague. A notable 57% give a rating of 10 on likelihood to recommend

About the Study

From February 15 to March 3, 2023, a total of n=916 graduates across 25 AP partner institutions were surveyed online by Ipsos Public Affairs. Respondents were working either full- or part-time since starting their degree program and included graduates in key verticals: Education (n=410), Nursing (n=241), Business (n=218). 

[1] Salary gains = post-graduation salary – salary before program among 2022/2021 graduates (n=541) and 2020/2019 graduates (n=233) 

[2] Payback= tuition divided by salary gains among 2022/2021 graduates (n=541)

About Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Our tagline "Game Changers" sums up our ambition to help our 5,000 customers move confidently through a rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com

Society