Study Abroad and Graduation and Academic Performance
100% |
greater improvement in GPA post-study abroad. Student GPAs tend to rise as they approach
the completion of their undergraduate degree. Students who studied abroad saw their
GPAs rise twice as quickly as a result of going abroad compared to students who stayed
in town, according to a Georgia study.*
|
19% |
more likely to graduate: that describes how much more likely study abroad participants
are to graduate in six years than non-participants. Even in four years, study abroad
participants are 15% more likely to graduate based on a University of California at
San Diego study. University of Texas at Austin and Georgia data show a similar trend.*
|
Study Abroad and Personality
97% |
A University of Maryland study on IES Abroad study abroad alumni found that students attributed increased maturity to study abroad.*
|
96% |
of study abroad alumni claimed an increase in self-confidence as a result of study
abroad.*
|
89% |
of study abroad alumni reported that study abroad facilitated a greater tolerance
for ambiguity.*
|
+ |
A German study compared personality development and found that students who studied
abroad showed improvements in five core traits compared to their peers who did not
study abroad: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and emotional
stability.*
|
Study Abroad and Careers, Salaries, and Job Skills
97% |
of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only
49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. That means they were
twice as likely to find a job. Among study abroad alumni, 90% landed a job within
6 months. A UK study supports U.S. findings that study abroad returnees are more likely
to find employment within six months.*
|
25% |
higher starting salaries: that's how much more study abroad students earn than those
college graduates who do not study abroad. A British study found their study abroad
graduates out-earned their peers by 17%. This equates to approximately $7,000 annually
for U.S. students and £3,120 for UK students. Maintaining this earning advantage translates
to earning an extra $567,500 over one's career in the U.S.*
|
90% |
of study abroad alumni who applied got into their 1st or 2nd choice graduate school.* |
84% |
of study abroad alumni felt their studies abroad helped them build valuable skills
for the job market. A second study confirms this at 85%.*
|
80% |
of study abroad students reported that study abroad allowed them to better adapt to
diverse work environments.*
|
70% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that, because of study abroad, they were more satisfied
with their jobs.*
|
59% |
of employers said study abroad would be valuable in an individual’s career later on
with their organization.*
|
34% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that study abroad helped them choose their career field.* |
19% |
lower unemployment rates were found among study abroad alumni according to a British
study.*
|
+ |
A British study found the greatest increases in salary earnings among study abroad
alumni (compared to their peers) were among seven majors: sociology, computer science,
theology and religious studies, electronic and electrical engineering, and physical
geographical sciences. *
|
*Statistics compiled by University of California, Merced
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