Walden University Releases Updated Assessment of Student Satisfaction, Demographics and Social Impact

November 23, 2010—Walden University one of the leading providers of online education, has released updated information that tracks its students and alumni, their opinions of the university and their eventual outcomes. The project, Demonstrating Accountability, Transparency and Assessment (DATA), provides detailed information about Walden’s students as well as student learning, student and alumni satisfaction and the social impact of students and alumni in their communities and workplaces.

DATA is part of Walden's ongoing commitment to communicate information about who its students are, what they are expected to learn at Walden and how they are applying this knowledge to advance their careers and effect positive social change.

The following information is a snapshot of the larger project that can be found in full at www.WaldenU.edu/DATA.

Demographics: Women are leading the way. Walden’s total student population is more than 77 percent female, and women represent more than 72 percent of students in undergraduate programs. Walden graduate students are 58 percent white and 34 percent black, while undergraduates are 42 percent white, 15 percent Hispanic/Latino and 40 percent black. Walden students are most heavily represented by the 30–39 age demographic, but there is significant representation among 24–29-year olds, 40–49-year olds and 60-plus-year olds.

Walden students are satisfied with the university. Nearly 85 percent of Walden students are satisfied or highly satisfied with Walden. More than four out of five students (83 percent) are satisfied with all or most of the faculty they’ve interacted with at Walden. More than half report that the quality of instruction at Walden is far above or above their expectations, and more than 89 percent of Walden students are likely or highly likely to recommend Walden to others. Walden alumni also reported high satisfaction rates: 93 percent reported being highly or very satisfied with their alma mater.

It’s hard work: Students report that Walden’s programs are more labor intensive than they expected. More than 48 percent of Walden students reported that the level of performance required was more than they expected, and 47 percent said it was about what they expected. Most also reported the time commitment to be above or about what they expected.

They’re achieving. Alumni assessed themselves on a variety of skill sets before and after their Walden experiences. Self-ratings differed at a statistically significant level, showing improvements on each skill, including written communication, performing qualitative analyses, applying academic knowledge to professional practice and leading positive social change.

They’re prepared: Walden alumni report a direct impact on their careers. Nearly nine out of 10 (89 percent) alumni report the Walden curriculum was relevant to their daily life and work. More than half (57 percent) of our overall graduates say that Walden has helped them change careers, 60 percent say Walden helped them get a promotion and 86 percent report their Walden degree helped them receive a pay raise.

Employers of Walden graduates are pleased. More than 85 percent of employers of Walden graduates reported they are very satisfied or satisfied with the Walden graduate employed at their organization. Almost all (99.4 percent) employers of Walden graduates surveyed say they would hire another Walden graduate. More than three out of four (77 percent) reported that Walden graduates’ performance in areas such as ethical standards, knowledge of the field, and working with diverse populations was high or very high compared to the performance of similarly educated employees employed at the same organization.

Walden alumni are effecting positive social change. Part of Walden’s mission is to provide a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so they can effect positive social change. Nearly two-thirds of Walden alumni report that Walden has helped them effect social change to a very great, great or moderate extent. Walden alumni also have a 62 percent average rate of volunteerism, compared to the national average among college graduates of 50 percent.