More MTSU graduates than ever before would enroll again at the University if they started college all over again, according to a new survey of seniors who received their diplomas in fall 2010 and spring 2011.

Eighty-three percent of the 3,153 Graduating Senior Survey participants said they would attend MTSU again—an increase of 3 percent over those who responded to the 2009-10 survey. The University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Research issued the survey results.

“All major components of the University exhibit increases in satisfaction,” said Dr. Brad Bartel, university provost. “What makes these results even more exceptional relates to a large university like MTSU being so student-centered in both the academic and student-services sphere. The senior survey validates the fact that MTSU is the university of choice for Tennessee students.”

First administered in spring 1997, MTSU’s Graduating Senior Survey is given each spring and fall to learn more about student attitudes toward the University’s academic programs and student services.

The 2010-11 survey also revealed the following:

• almost half the seniors surveyed (45 percent) are first-generation college graduates;
• nearly half of the participants plan to pursue a master’s degree and 13 percent a doctorate; and
• 19 percent worked 35 hours or more per week during the 2010-11 academic year, compared with 22 percent in 2009-10.

Other sections of the survey related to specific majors, student services and employment data. Students indicated increased satisfaction in their choice of major (90 percent), the quality of instruction (85 percent) and the availability of courses in their major (72 percent). The surveyed seniors listed parking, curriculum and advising as their top-three areas to improve undergraduates’ experience at MTSU.

“I am particularly pleased to see student satisfaction continuing to rise during these years when we are experiencing such significant decreases in state funding,” said Dr. Debra Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services. 

“We have worked hard to reduce costs and staff while not having a negative impact on the student experience, and I appreciate this student feedback, which seems to indicate that we have been successful and are on the right track.”