Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University survey of recent graduates has found an increase in the percentage of new graduates with jobs -- more than half of them in Kansas -- as well as rising salaries and a broad range of career choices.

Survey results show that 93 percent of graduates who earned bachelor's degrees in 2012-2013 are employed or pursuing further education and advanced degrees -- a percentage increase from last year. The university's latest class of graduates also had the highest employment percentage of the last five years at 72 percent.

"Results for our most recent class reflect the steady success of K-State graduates in obtaining employment or continuing their education with a K-State degree," said Kerri Day Keller, director of the university's career and employment services. "It's exciting to see them taking their first steps toward their career aspirations."

As reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the national average starting salary for 2013 college graduates is almost 3 percent higher than last year. The university's survey shows that more than half of all majors saw their salary offers increase over the previous year.

"Employer interest in this year's class appears strong as well," Keller said. "We have kicked off the new semester with three sold-out career fairs and are hosting about 350 employers on-campus within a 30-day time period this spring. 

According to the survey results, the top corporate employers of bachelor's degree graduates are Cerner, GTM Sportswear, Koch Industries, Cargill and Burns & McDonnell; the top public and nonprofit sector employers are Saint Francis Community Services, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Top unified school district employers are Geary County, Manhattan-Ogden and Blue Valley. The survey also showed that 62 percent of employed bachelor's degree graduates accepted jobs in Kansas, while Missouri, Texas and Colorado are the top out-of-state locations.

“Students know that by choosing Kansas State University they will get an unparalleled undergraduate experience,” said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. “What’s more, they can see from their peers that the undergraduate experience will pay off when they enter the workforce or continue on to graduate and professional schools.”

Conducted by the university's career and employment services, the survey polled Kansas State University graduates who received bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees during 2012-2013 and had response rates of 86, 87 and 88 percent respectively. The breakdown of salaries, a list of employers who have hired the university's graduates and more can be found on the career and employment services website, http://www.k-state.edu/ces/students/employmentinformation.html.