What is this survey all about? What is the purpose?
The National Survey of College Graduates is the most important source of information on the education and career paths of the nation's college-educated population. It has been conducted since 1973 by the U.S. National Science Foundation, an independent agency of the U.S. government. The U.S. Census Bureau serves as the data collection contractor for the NSCG on behalf of NSF.
How is the information used? Why is my participation important?
The survey data provides important information about the education and career paths of the nation's
college graduates. The data provides characteristics of the college-educated people in the workforce
such as the sector they work in, whether they are working in their degree field, the type of occupations
they hold, their salary, and their demographic composition. These data are
needed to make informed decisions about how to best utilize the limited resources in the areas
of research, education, and job training.
The results of the survey are vital and are used by:
- University administrators and academic researchers to make educational policy decisions.
- Government policymakers and labor economists to better understand the supply and demand of researchers in science and technical fields.
- Employers in all sectors, such as education, industry, and the government to look at the salary trends.
- Students in choosing a college major or examining career choices.
- People who are considering career changes.
Why should I participate in this survey?
You were randomly chosen to represent hundreds of other college graduates in the same field. Once a person
has been selected in the sample, we cannot substitute another person because it would harm the quality of the sample
data we collect. If we do not obtain responses from the people selected, the study could produce biased data.
The NSCG is an important national survey. It enables us to understand and quantify the way people use their
education as they age. It helps us study how their career choices and opportunities change, both over time and
during varying economic conditions. The results of this study are used by researchers, policy makers, students
who are contemplating their education and career choices, and individuals who are considering a career change.
Should I participate if I am retired or not working?
The NSCG includes people in every employment situation. Learning that you've retired - whether you've retired but have
since returned to work or you've stopped working entirely - is important information that makes trend data more complete.
The U.S. National Science Foundation is especially interested in how the career paths of retirees may change over time and in
the current economy - an economy in which retirees may need to return to work, even in fields that are very different from
the fields of their degrees. The only way to track such career decisions and trends is to include all respondents in the survey, even those retired individuals who intend to stay retired.
Should I participate if I don’t have a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) degree or work in a STEM field?
This survey collects information from college graduates in all disciplines and at every stage of life.
The U.S National Science Foundation, an agency of the federal government, is mandated by Congress to study
the education of the American people. You were chosen for this study as part of a scientifically selected
sample of people who have earned at least a bachelor's degree. Because you were specifically selected,
we cannot substitute another college graduate for you, so the success of this survey rests upon your participation.
Please be assured that the information you provide is very valuable for this survey regardless of your employment
or educational background.
Should I participate if I don’t have a college degree?
Our aim is to include persons holding a bachelor's degree or higher. If you do not have at least
a bachelor's degree, we only need to ask you a few questions to verify that we have contacted the
correct individual.
Do I have to participate?
Your response is voluntary. Please keep in mind that you do not have to answer all of the questions.
Why don't you select someone else?
Individuals are randomly chosen to represent hundreds of others in the same field.
Once a person has been selected for the sample, we cannot substitute another person because it would harm
the quality of the sample data we collect. If we don't obtain responses from the people selected,
the study could produce biased results.
Will my information be kept confidential? Some of these questions seem personal.
Yes, your personal information and responses to the survey are confidential. All information you provide will
be reported in summary form only, so that people can't identify your individual answers. The Census Bureau is
not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you. Federal law protects your
privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Section 9). Per the Federal
Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.
Under what authority are you collecting this data?
The U.S. National Science Foundation is authorized by Congress to collect this information under the National Science
Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. That Act states, "The National Science Foundation is authorized to provide a
central clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on scientific and engineering resources
and to provide a source of information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal government." The Census
Bureau is conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 8.
How long will this survey take?
Although individual times may vary, the average time to complete the survey online is about 20 minutes.
Where can I find the survey results?
Information about the data collected in the NSCG can be found at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) website: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvygrads/.
In addition, NSF publishes various reports on the college-educated work force
related to policy and research issues (https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/). Prior results from the NSCG are also available as part of the
Scientist and Engineers Statistical Database System (SESTAT), which you can access at
https://ncses.nsf.gov/explore-data/microdata/scientists-and-engineers-statistical-data-system.
Who is sponsoring the survey?
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is the sponsor. The NSF is an independent agency of the
U.S. Government, established by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. Their mission
is to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to
secure the national defense. The NSF is located in Alexandria, Virginia.
I thought the Census Bureau only conducted a census every 10 years, when they
counted people. What is the Census Bureau doing now?
That’s correct, the Census Bureau conducts a census of people every 10 years. However, we also conduct
monthly, quarterly, and yearly surveys that collect information on the labor force, retail and wholesale
trade, household expenses, household income, and education. Right now, the Census Bureau is collecting
data regarding your education and career paths for the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Why are you asking about the week of February 1, 2025?
The survey is conducted over a period of several months. In order to standardize the survey responses,
the week of February 1st was selected so that everyone who participates will answer the questions for the
same time period. It has no other special significance.
Why are you contacting me again?
It is important that the same people are interviewed over time to allow data users to understand what choices
college graduates make with their careers and education. Even if your situation hasn’t changed in the last few
years, that information is just as valuable for data users to know. Since the NSCG seeks to develop aggregate
and compiled data, your responses will allow analysts and policy makers to better see trends over the long run.
Why do you need my phone number, address, email?
We may be contacting you by phone, mail, or email to complete the survey.
How did you get my address/phone number/email address?
We try to keep up with the changes of address, phone number,
and email of the persons in our sample. We use several means of obtaining contact information,
such as directory assistance, and the U.S. Postal Service.
