How can I compare employment outcomes without being misled by a single employment-rate number?
Do not compare employment-rate percentages alone. Check how the numerator and denominator are defined—for example, whether the denominator is all graduates or only those seeking jobs, and how further study or nonresponses are treated. Compare the same year, faculty, or program, and also examine regular versus non-regular employment, the industries and occupations entered, how well they match students’ studies or goals, and the survey date. Official notes and actual counts help prevent a misleading impression.
Key points
- Check whether the denominator includes all graduates or only job-seeking graduates, and how the rate is calculated.
- Use comparable years, faculties, and programs, and check the survey date and underlying counts.
- Look beyond the percentage to employment status, industry and occupation fit, and post-graduation paths such as further study.
Things to check
- Definitions and aggregation methods can differ by university, faculty, and academic year, so consult the notes in official materials.
- The same employment rate can correspond to different individual goals, employers, and post-graduation situations.