How can I compare employment outcomes between two universities fairly?
To compare fairly, use the same academic year and comparable faculties or programs and graduate groups. Check what the employment-rate denominator means— all graduates or only those seeking employment— how further study and nonrespondents are treated, and when the survey was conducted. Where published, also compare industry, occupation, region, employment status, respondent numbers, and calculation methods. Do not rank universities from an overall figure alone; check the definitions and notes in each university’s official data.
Key points
- Use data for the same year, comparable faculties or programs, and comparable graduate groups.
- Check the denominator, treatment of further study and nonrespondents, and survey timing.
- Also compare industry, occupation, region, employment status, respondent numbers, and calculation methods.
Things to check
- Published categories and definitions vary by university, faculty, and year, so check the notes in the official data.
- Employment outcomes are also influenced by factors such as field of study, location, and students’ preferences; they do not necessarily measure the university’s educational contribution alone.