Project KEEP US
Knowledge Enabling Efforts to Preserve University Students __________________________________________________________________

Findings: Absolute Counts
(straight-line statistical report that provides the total number of responses for each question/response, Dec. 13, 2004
Total completed number of studies = 2,299  NOTE: Not every respondent replied to every question.)

 
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College & Degree Program

 

Q1 What college do you presently attend? (Choose one primary institution where you are enrolled and attend class on that campus.)

Note: For this study, the word “college” refers to both universities and colleges at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

SUNY Students: Check for your college under "SUC," "SUNY" and the campus name (for example, for "Cortland" see "Cortland, SUNY").
 
0 Bryant & Stratton® – Syracuse & Liverpool campuses only
 
78 Mohawk Valley Community College
44 Cayuga Community College, SUNY
 
0 Morrisville State College, SUNY
55 Cazenovia College
 
0 New York Chiropractic College
147 Clarkson University
 
4 Onondaga Community College (OCC), SUNY
223 Colgate University
 
0 Oswego University College, SUNY
0 Columbia College at Syracuse – Hancock Air Base campus only
 
0 Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing
6 Cornell University
 
39 Saint Joseph's Hospital Health Center College of Nursing
4 Cortland, SUNY
 
1 Saint Lawrence University
13 Crouse Hospital School of Nursing
 
0 Simmons Institute of Funeral Service, Inc.
2 Empire State College, SUNY – Syracuse and Auburn locations only
 
6 SUC Potsdam
168 Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), SUNY
 
224 SUNY College of Technology at Canton
95 Hamilton College
 
53 SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome
6 Herkimer County Community College
 
1012 Syracuse University
0 Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary
 
1 Tompkins-Cortland Community College, SUNY
2 Ithaca College
 
1 Upstate Medical University, SUNY
0 ITT Technical Institute – Syracuse campus only
 
112 Utica College
0 Jefferson Community College
 
0 Utica School of Commerce
1 Le Moyne College
 
2 Wells College
0 Lynn University
 
6 Other (Disqualified from study)
 
Q2 What one statement BEST describes your current course of study?
 
34 Part-time study leading to an associate's degree
 
49 Part-time study leading to a graduate degree
303 Full-time study leading to an associate's degree
 
362 Full-time study leading to a graduate degree
39 Part-time study leading to a bachelor's degree
 
2 Part-time study in a non-degree program that may or may not lead to a certificate or a diploma (Disqualified from study)
1504 Full-time study leading to a bachelor's degree
 
3 Full-time study in a non-degree program that may or may not lead to a certificate or a diploma (Disqualified from study)
 
Past & Future Residences
 
Q3 Where is your hometown area located? (For this research, your hometown is the place where you lived most of your life prior to attending your current college.)
Check the box that applies to your hometown area:
 
39 Cayuga County, NY (Auburn, Aurora area)
 
54 Oswego County, NY (Oswego area)
12 Cortland County, NY (Cortland, Dryden area)
 
7 Seneca County, NY (Seneca Falls area)
34 Herkimer County, NY (Herkimer, Old Forge area)
 
160 St. Lawrence County, NY (Canton, Potsdam area)
29 Jefferson County, NY (Watertown area)
 
10 Tompkins County, NY (Ithaca area)
11 Lewis County, NY (Lowville area)
 
570 Another county within New York state
61 Madison County, NY (Cazenovia, Hamilton, Morrisville, Oneida area)
 
793 Another U.S. state (not New York state)
149 Oneida County, NY (Clinton, Rome, Utica area)
 
87 Outside of the 50 United States
273 Onondaga County, NY (Syracuse area)
 
Q3a . . . Enter the 5-digit zip code for your hometown area in the United States: 2195
 
Q4 Where do you plan to live and work immediately after completing your education?
(Check ALL that apply.)
 
821 In or near my hometown area (For this research, your hometown is the place where you lived most of your life prior to attending your current college)
 
806 Another U.S. state (not New York state)
329 One of the counties listed above (Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence and/or Tompkins county) in New York state
 
137 Outside of the 50 United States
416 Another county within New York state
 
758 I'm not sure yet
Q4a . . . Write in the city/village, state/province, country where you plan to (or are most likely to) live and work immediately after completing your education. 1723
 
Decision Factors
 
Q5 . . . Regarding the location where you plan to live and work immediately after you complete your college education, what has influenced (or will influence) your decision the most?
2269
 
Q6 Regarding the location where you plan to live and work immediately after you complete your education, please rate how important each of the following factors have been (or will be) in your decision, using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is VERY UNIMPORTANT and 5 is VERY IMPORTANT.
a. Can immediately get or start a job that at the very least will pay the bills
1 - Very Unimportant
59
 
2 - Unimportant
69
 
3 - Neither Unimportant nor Important
168
 
4 - Important
831
 
5 - Very Important
1142
  b. Excellent opportunity to land my dream job 45   67   379   894   883
  c. Being near my family 94   215   577   875   508
  d. Being near my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner 261   254   651   566   537
  e. Being near friends 118   266   848   812   225
  f. Easy to meet people 81   186   687   1012   303
  g. Cultural offerings: arts, music, theater, museums, etc. 89   226   640   922   392
  h. Leisure activities: shopping, recreation, sports, night life, etc. 63   130   521   1125   430
  i. Safe environment, feeling of being safe 31   78   343   1114   703
  j. Known for being a hip, young area 293   444   898   508   126
  k. High salaries for jobs in my field 57   121   492   1049   550
  l. Easy commute and/or good transportation system 43   91   388   1235   512
  m. Has the type of weather I prefer 102   273   855   739   299
  n. Diverse and/or tolerant population 86   225   736   850   372
  o. Reasonable cost of living (housing, taxes, transportation, utilities, etc.) 29   105   425   1188   522
  p. Housing options: sufficient amount, quality of facilities, neighborhood locations, etc. 32   82   408   1285   462
  q. Recommended by a trusted professor or colleague 228   401   1011   517   112
  r. Near professional contacts or prior internship/fieldwork/clinical site 116   302   853   732   266
  s. Can live with family to save money 467   525   788   333   155
  t. Can easily change from job to job if I decide to settle there 122   237   754   934   222
  u. Efforts made by a company or community representatives to recruit me 189   292   840   769   179
  v. Benefits and/or special incentives (e.g., loan-payback programs) from employers 162   204   683   907   313
  w. Being very familiar with the area 239   408   765   610   247
  x. Many opportunities for continuing education or furthering my education 103   215   624   884   443
  y. Other 92   30   539   132   130
Q6z . . . Describe "other" factor of importance in selecting a location: 923
 
Your Ideal Location
 
You are now going to be presented with 9 descriptions for places where you might live and work immediately upon completing your education.

After you read each description, rate that location -- and do so completely independently of any other location descriptions presented -- using a scale of 0 to 10, where
-- 0 means you'd never choose that location, and
-- 10 means you'd definitely choose that location.
 
Q7 LOCATION Y:
Is in the general area where your family lives.
Has many job opportunities in your field.
Is well known for having a young and hip community.
Salaries in your field just cover the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
22
 
1
26
 
2
57
 
3
108
 
4
160
 
5
293
 
6
327
 
7
462
 
8
418
 
9
207
 
10
190
 
Q8 LOCATION C:
Is in the general area where your family lives.
Known for having the best and most job opportunities in your field.
Does not appear to have a young and hip community.
Salaries in your field are somewhat above the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
12
 
1
19
 
2
32
 
3
63
 
4
95
 
5
199
 
6
303
 
7
433
 
8
522
 
9
357
 
10
231
 
Q9 LOCATION R:
Is a reasonable driving distance to where your family lives.
Has some job opportunities in your field.
Is well known for having a young and hip community.
Salaries in your field are somewhat above the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
16
 
1
18
 
2
54
 
3
113
 
4
170
 
5
347
 
6
418
 
7
426
 
8
415
 
9
215
 
10
96
 
Q10 LOCATION M:
Is a reasonable driving distance to where your family lives.
Known for having the best and most job opportunities in your field.
Appears to have a somewhat young and hip community.
Salaries in your field just cover the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
22
 
1
36
 
2
63
 
3
119
 
4
182
 
5
346
 
6
388
 
7
442
 
8
381
 
9
213
 
10
102
 
Q11 LOCATION K:
Is a reasonable driving distance to where your family lives.
Has many job opportunities in your field.
Does not appear to have a young and hip community.
Salaries in your field are well beyond the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
17
 
1
17
 
2
27
 
3
32
 
4
68
 
5
139
 
6
190
 
7
319
 
8
478
 
9
587
 
10
421
 
Q12 LOCATION B:
Is beyond a reasonable driving distance to where your family lives.
Known for having the best and most job opportunities in your field.
Is well known for having a young and hip community.
Salaries in your field are well beyond the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
42
 
1
26
 
2
48
 
3
69
 
4
93
 
5
134
 
6
157
 
7
264
 
8
367
 
9
480
 
10
609
 
Q13 LOCATION S:
Is beyond a reasonable driving distance to where your family lives.
Has some job opportunities in your field.
Does not appear to have a young and hip community.
Salaries in your field just cover the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
386
 
1
245
 
2
322
 
3
356
 
4
285
 
5
295
 
6
204
 
7
93
 
8
67
 
9
28
 
10
11
 
Q14 LOCATION G:
Is in the general area where your family lives.
Has some job opportunities in your field.
Appears to have a somewhat young and hip community.
Salaries in your field are well beyond the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
18
 
1
13
 
2
38
 
3
54
 
4
112
 
5
186
 
6
283
 
7
398
 
8
485
 
9
376
 
10
332
 
Q15 LOCATION P:
Is beyond a reasonable driving distance to where your family lives.
Has many job opportunities in your field.
Appears to have a somewhat young and hip community.
Salaries in your field are somewhat above the cost of living in the area.
____________________________________________________________________

Rate how likely you are to choose this location to live/work immediately upon completing your education:
0-Never Choose to 10-Definitely Choose
0
65
 
1
70
 
2
80
 
3
123
 
4
186
 
5
355
 
6
415
 
7
470
 
8
321
 
9
155
 
10
54
 
Q16 Using the same scale of 0 to 10, what is the likelihood that you would live somewhat near where you currently attend college?

Remember:
-- 0 means you'd never choose to live somewhat near your campus' location, and
-- 10 means you'd definitely choose to live somewhat near your campus' location.
0-Never live somewhat near, 10-Definitely live somewhat near
0
288
 
1
193
 
2
238
 
3
265
 
4
197
 
5
333
 
6
217
 
7
188
 
8
163
 
9
88
 
10
122
 
Decision-Making Preferences
 
Q17 Indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement, using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is STRONGLY DISAGREE and 5 is STRONGLY AGREE.
Note: Unless specified otherwise, "the area" refers to the area where you attend college.
a. I want to live in the Greater Syracuse region right after completing college.
1 - Strongly Disagree
813
 
2 - Disagree
619
 
3 - Neither Disagree nor Agree
590
 
4 - Agree
183
 
5 - Strongly Agree
84
  b. Eventually at some point I want to settle or work in the Greater Syracuse region. 851   661   527   177   74
  c. I'd like to live in Central Upstate New York (Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence and/or Tompkins counties). 681   578   488   334   209
  d. Factors out of my control will likely prevent me from living in the area after I graduate from college. 509   581   678   392   129
  e. Immediately after completing my education, I want to live or work in a city that's larger than Syracuse. 392   450   628   530   290
  f. I'd recommend the area to friends who are considering living/working in the area. 300   563   774   565   88
  g. I often leave campus for shopping, work, entertainment, recreation, cultural events or other activities in area communities. 143   386   427   893   441
  h. My mind is completely set about where I'm going to live as soon as I finish college. 547   619   486   373   265
  i. I know a lot about what the area offers new college graduates in terms of housing, job opportunities, recreation, social life, culture, etc. 252   756   587   546   149
  j. Ideally I'd prefer to live in a small town or rural area. 546   524   497   457   266
  k. Being able to be who I am is the most important factor in deciding where I will locate as soon as I finish college. 95   277   695   846   377
  l. I will probably start a family soon. 640   702   555   270   123
  m. I don't expect to settle down for many years. 366   482   708   539   195
  n. I look to my professors to advise me about where I should live/work after I finish my education. 454   685   719   375   57
  o. After college I'm more likely to locate where I've completed an internship, fieldwork or clinical assignment. 180   357   839   766   148
  p. Wherever I begin living immediately after college, I don't expect to stay in that city/town very long. 229   659   1085   271   46
  q. I expect to move in with my family as soon as I finish my education. 840   687   523   172   68
  r. My dream job/career requires a high degree of on-the-job creativity. 80   218   640   900   452
  s. Ideally, I'd like to live near my family after I complete my college education. 106   282   726   780   396
 
Career & Course of Study
 
Q18 Select the ONE category that BEST describes your college major (the course of study in which you will earn your degree):
 
56 Undeclared / Undecided
 
173 Engineering
17 Agriculture
 
120 Science (except BioSci, CS, Eng)
242 Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations
 
25 Mathematics, Statistics
263 Business, Management, Marketing, HR
 
279 Behavioral and Social Sciences
139 Education
 
109 Fine and Performing Arts
205 Healthcare, Medical
 
157 Liberal Arts, Languages
122 Biosciences
 
10 Hospitality & Tourism
115 Computer Science, Electronics, IT
 
243 Other
Q18a . . . Specify "other" category for your major: 242 (Includes architecture/landscape architecture, environmental studies, fashion, interior design, law/criminal justice/forensics, mortuary science, natural resources, public administration/international affairs, radio/TV/film, wood products, visual communication/graphic design, trades)
 
Q19 During what year do you expect to complete your current course of study?
 
675 2005 or earlier
 
435 2008 or later
686 2006
 
31 Not sure
458 2007
 
 
Q20 Have you had an off-campus job, internship, fieldwork or clinical assignment in the community or broader region where you currently attend college?
 
781 Yes
 
1504 No
Q20a . . . Enter the city/village AND organization's name where this job/internship/fieldwork/clinical assignment took place: 743
 
Q21 . . . What is your dream job or career at this time? Please be as specific as possible, including the job title, type of organization and type of work.
a. Job Title (for dream job or career) 2216
  b. Type of Organization (for dream job or career) 2128
  c. Type of Work (for dream job or career) 2138
 
Q22 Please indicate the type of INDUSTRY -- select 1, 2 or 3 options at most from the list below -- that you expect to be (or want to be) employed in when you complete your education.

"INDUSTRY" means the type of product or service offered by the organization that employs you.
 
359 Not sure, uncertain
 
431 Service Industries: Health & Medical Services
140 Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
 
487 Service Industries: Educational Services
9 Mineral Industries
 
125 Service Industries: Environmental Systems
53 Construction Industries: Environmental Systems
 
34 Service Industries: Electronic Services
6 Construction Industries: Precision Metal Working
 
100 Service Industries: Computer and Electronic Engineering & Management Services
47 Construction Industries: All Others
 
127 Service Industries: Engineering (all other engineering) & Management Services
69 Manufacturing: Biosciences, Medical
 
6 Service Industries: Precision Metal Working
51 Manufacturing: Electrical & Electronic Equipment, Digital & Electronic Devices
 
15 Service Industries: Repair Services
30 Manufacturing: Environmental Systems
 
218 Service Industries: Social Services
8 Manufacturing: Packaging
 
266 Service Industries: Legal or Business Services
29 Manufacturing: Primary Metal Industries & Fabricated Metal Products
 
44 Service Industries: Hotels & Other Lodging
45 Manufacturing: All Others
 
242 Service Industries: Amusement & Recreational Services
21 Transportation & Warehousing
 
118 Service Industries: Museums, Art Galleries, Botanical & Zoological Garden
19 Utilities, Communications & Sanitary Services
 
107 Service Industries: Motion Pictures
11 Wholesale Trade: Durable & Non-Durable Goods
 
166 Service Industries: All Others (Includes advertising/PR/graphics/web design, broadcast news, communications-unspecified, events planning)
111 Retail Trade: Stores, Restaurants, Dealerships, Service Stations
 
451 Public Administration (Government, Economic Programs, Housing, National Security, Justice)
38 Insurance
 
215 Other industry
135 Finance & Real Estate
 
Q22a . . . Describe "other industry" you expect to be employed in: 211 (Includes architecture/landscape architecture, fashion-unspecified, funeral, interior design, non-profit, publishing, religion, trades)
 
Tell us about yourself
 
Q23 What sex are you?
 
1565 Female
 
728 Male
 
Q24 . . . What is your age?
2293
 
Q25 Are you Hispanic, Latino or Spanish (includes Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban)?
 
2116 No
 
177 Yes
 
Q26 What is your race? (Check the one box that BEST describes your racial identity.)
 
1920 White alone
 
2 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander alone (includes Guamanian or Chamorro, Samoan)
65 Black or African-American alone
 
124 Two or more races
12 American Indian or Alaska Native alone
 
68 Other race
102 Asian alone (includes Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese)
 
Q26a . . . Provide details for "other race": 62
 
Closing Comments
 
Q27 . . . What can the area do to better familiarize you with what it has to offer new college graduates?
1976 (Note: Total count is decreased after the removal of responses indicating such thoughts as "none" and "I don't know.")
 
Q28 . . . Enter here any other comments you would like to see included in this study:
739 (Note: Total count is decreased after the removal of responses indicating such thoughts as "none.")

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Research instrument (survey design) and methods employed in this study ©2004 Vincent McCabe, Inc.