The data is in: The average annual salary for the Class of 2022 is almost 30 percent higher than the national average for baccalaureate graduates. Students who received a graduate degree earned an average base salary of $90,853. Explore other impressive results from the yearly survey by the Center for Career and Professional Development.
How can we measure the impact of a college degree on the students we serve? One way is to research students’ average annual salary in the first year after graduation.
Every year, Adelphi’s Center for Career and Professional Development does just that.
The Center surveys graduating students to learn about their employment status or plans for continuing education. The survey is one of our most significant ways to measure student success, and student success is our success. It also uncovers valuable data on hiring trends by aligning with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) First Destination Survey to track the progress of recent graduates as they enter the job market.
The recently released Class of 2022 survey shows remarkably strong results for our recent undergraduate and graduate students and gives good reason for optimism for current students.
“Our students’ ability to earn high-paying jobs soon after graduation underscores the value of an Adelphi education,” noted President Christine M. Riordan. “It’s a reflection of their hard work, exceptional mentorship from our faculty, and the University’s strategic efforts to provide direct pathways to success.”
High average annual base salaries
“Undergraduate students have an average base salary of $80,090, while our graduate students have an average base salary of $90,853,” said Tom Ward Jr. ’93, assistant vice president for career development and strategic partnerships at the Center for Career and Professional Development. “The average annual salary for the graduate class of 2022 is 17 percent higher than the national average. This helps allow our graduates, especially in healthcare, business and education, to launch rewarding, enriching and competitively compensated careers.
“This report reflects Adelphi University’s strong commitment to student career-readiness, professional development and the institution’s mission to promote social mobility,” he added. “The graduate outcomes report is a testament to Adelphi’s top-notch academic programming, expansive student support services, and strong community and employer partnerships.”
Almost 30 percent higher than the national average
Ward particularly highlighted the average salaries shown in the survey of students who received baccalaureate degrees, which is 29.45 percent higher than the national average for undergraduates.
That advantage represents a majority of the survey participants. Of those who had received undergraduate degrees, most reported finding employment in the fields of education, finance, banking and healthcare. For those with graduate degrees, the greatest number of respondents are working in healthcare, followed by education, counseling and social services.
The survey, of course, is just a sampling. The report also calculates a “knowledge rate,” which measures how well we know the career outcomes of our graduates. It is calculated by dividing the number of graduates with verified and credible information on their postgraduation plans by the total number of graduates. The knowledge Rate for undergraduates is 64 percent and the knowledge rate for graduates is 58 percent.
Long-term benefits of an Adelphi education
At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, the survey also shows that our graduates recognize the long-term benefits of their experience at Adelphi.
- 92 percent of graduates said they strongly agree that graduating from Adelphi increased their intellectual ability and potential as a curious, successful person.
- 90 percent of graduates said they strongly agree that graduating from Adelphi increased their understanding of roles of professionals in their field.
- 85 percent of respondents said they strongly agree that Adelphi values, welcomes and inspires every individual.
- 84 percent of graduates said they strongly agree that Adelphi offers intellectual rigor, plus talented faculty and staff who create a unique educational experience for students.
The numbers speak volumes, as Adelphi graduates speak from experience. An Adelphi education puts graduates a step ahead.