While available statistics on study abroad might still be limited, there are some
notable studies on study abroad and careers, learning, academic performance, retention, and personality
development. Here are some of the more remarkable findings:
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.*
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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.*
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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.*
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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.*
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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.*
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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.*
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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.*
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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. *
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*Statistics compiled by
University of California, Merced
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