Graduate Report 2024 – 2025
The 2024-2025 Graduate Report provides insights into the demographics and academic attributes of the graduating class at SUNY Westchester Community College and compares them to those who responded to the 2024-2025 Graduate Survey. This report is divided into two main sections:
- Profile of the 2024-2025 Graduates – Compares the characteristics of all graduates to those who participated in the survey to assess representativeness.
- 2024-2025 Graduate Survey Analysis – Examines the survey responses to understand student experiences and post-graduation outcomes.
Methodology
The 2024-2025 Graduate Report analyzes data from 1,276 students who graduated in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025. Graduates were sent an online survey six months after graduation regarding their experiences at SUNY WCC and post-graduation outcomes. The survey remained open for three months, yielding 163 completed responses, resulting in a response rate of 12.4%. To assess the representativeness of the survey sample, the survey responses were merged with institutional data and analyzed across key demographic and academic factors.
Profile of the 2024-2025 Graduating Class
The Profile of the 2024-2025 Graduating Class uses institutional data to identify the demographic and academic attributes of the graduating class of 2024. This includes gender, race/ethnicity, age, residence, grade point average (GPA), and degree type. These attributes are compared to the subset of graduates who responded to the Graduate Survey to ensure the survey responses can be generalized to the entire graduating class.
Among the 2024-2025 graduates, 54.2% were female and 45.8% were male. Among survey respondents, 65.6% were female, while 34.4% were male. The proportion of female respondents was higher than their representation among graduates, while the proportion of male respondents was lower than their representation among graduates.
The racial and ethnic composition of graduates and survey respondents showed some variation across categories. Hispanic or Latino students accounted for 49.6% of graduates and 48.5% of survey respondents. White students represented 27.4% of graduates and 23.3% of respondents, while Black or African American students comprised 13.6% of graduates and 18.4% of respondents.
Other racial and ethnic groups each represented small proportions of graduates and survey respondents, with Asian students comprising about 5% of both groups and all other categories accounting for less than 3% each.
The age distribution of graduates and survey respondents varied across categories. Graduates aged 21 to 24 represented the largest group, accounting for 44.4% of graduates and 40.5% of survey respondents. Those 20 or younger comprised 18.8% of graduates and 20.9% of respondents.
Graduates aged 25 to 29 made up 17.6% of graduates and 13.5% of respondents, while individuals aged 30 to 49 accounted for 16.5% of graduates and 19.0% of survey respondents. The smallest group consisted of graduates aged 50 or older, representing 2.7% of graduates and 6.1% of respondents.
Place of residence differed between graduates and survey respondents. The majority resided in Westchester County, representing 78.8% of graduates and 84.0% of survey respondents. Graduates living outside Westchester County but within New York State accounted for 19.7% of graduates and 15.3% of respondents. A small proportion reported residence outside of New York State, comprising 1.4% of graduates and 0.6% of survey respondents.
Grade point averages of graduates and survey respondents were distributed across four categories. Graduates with a GPA of 3.51–4.00 represented 35.8% of graduates and 38.0% of survey respondents. Those with a GPA of 3.01–3.50 accounted for 33.6% of graduates and 33.7% of respondents.
Lower GPA categories comprised smaller proportions. Graduates with a GPA of 2.51–3.00 made up 23.3% of graduates and 22.1% of survey respondents, while those with a GPA of 2.50 or less represented 7.3% of graduates and 6.1% of respondents.
Degree completion varied across program types among graduates and survey respondents. Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees represented the largest share, accounting for 39.5% of graduates and 42.9% of survey respondents. Associate in applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees comprised 30.8% of graduates and 26.4% of respondents, while Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees accounted for 22.6% of graduates and 25.2% of survey respondents. Certificates made up the smallest proportion, with 7.1% of graduates and 5.5% of survey respondents completing certificate programs.
Review the degree type datapoints and chart
* Students are double-counted if they received more than one degree.
2024-2025 Graduate Survey Analysis
The 2024-2025 Graduate Survey Analysis examines the self-reported experiences and outcomes of graduates, providing insights into their educational paths, career progress, and overall satisfaction with SUNY WCC. As responses were collected confidentially, individual data cannot be externally verified. This report presents findings based on the information provided by survey participants, with non-responses omitted to maintain clarity and accuracy in the analysis.
Are you currently attending a college, university, or training program?
Responses regarding current educational enrollment were distributed across four categories. Attendance at a four year college or university was reported by 55.2% of survey respondents. Not attending any college or training program was selected by 35.0% of respondents.
Smaller proportions reported other enrollment statuses. Two year college or university attendance accounted for 9.8% of respondents, while no respondents reported enrollment in a training program (0.0%) at the time of the survey.
Review the attending datapoints and chart
How are you currently attending that college, university, or training program (full- or part-time):
Enrollment intensity among respondents currently attending a college, university, or training program was reported as either full time or part time. Full time attendance was reported by 90.5% of respondents, while 9.5% indicated attending part time.
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Where is your college, university, or training program located?
Reported locations of colleges, universities, or training programs attended by respondents were distributed across three geographic categories. Programs located outside Westchester County but within New York State were reported by 53.3% of respondents. Attendance at institutions within Westchester County accounted for 40.0% of respondents. A smaller share reported enrollment outside of New York State, representing 6.7% of respondents.
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To what extent do you feel that SUNY WCC prepared you for further study?
Responses related to preparation for further study were grouped into combined and individual categories. A total of 86.5% of respondents reported feeling either very well prepared or well prepared. The remaining responses reflected lower levels of preparation. Somewhat prepared was selected by 12.6% of respondents, while 1.0% reported feeling not at all prepared.
How satisfied were you with SUNY WCC in achieving your goals?
Levels of satisfaction with achieving goals were reported across four goal areas. When very satisfied and satisfied responses were combined, 94.3% of respondents reported being satisfied with achieving their personal goals. For academic goals, the combined satisfaction rate was 91.8%.
Lower combined percentages were reported in other areas. Career goals had a combined satisfied/very satisfied response of 85.4%, while 80.0% of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with achieving their social goals.
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How satisfied were you with the following at SUNY WCC?
When Very satisfied and Satisfied responses were combined, high levels of reported satisfaction were observed across multiple areas. Increasing knowledge and understanding had a combined satisfaction rate of 96.6%. For achieving a degree or certificate required for a present or future job, 95.2% of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied.
Several instructional and academic experience areas showed similarly high ratings. Developing skills in expressing oneself in writing was reported by 94.6% of respondents, while developing skills in expressing oneself orally was reported by 89.8%; overall quality of instruction, overall experience with courses in the major, and overall college experience each received a combined satisfaction rate of 94.5%.
Did you face any obstacles that impacted your ability to graduate from SUNY WCC?
Responses regarding obstacles to graduation were divided between two options. A majority of respondents, 69.9%, reported that they did not face any obstacles that impacted their ability to graduate from SUNY WCC. The remaining 30.1% indicated that they did face obstacles affecting their ability to complete their degree.
Review the obstacles datapoints and chart
What obstacles did you face throughout your time at SUNY WCC (check all that apply)?
A total of 44 respondents indicated that they faced obstacles that impacted their ability to graduate from SUNY WCC. Among these respondents, family or personal reasons were the most frequently reported obstacle (65.9%), followed by academic issues (43.2%), scheduling challenges (34.1%), and both difficulty paying for school and the COVID-19 pandemic (29.5% each). Other reasons were reported by 6.8% of respondents.
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What College services helped you persist at SUNY WCC despite these obstacles (select all that apply)?
Among the 44 respondents who reported facing obstacles that impacted their ability to graduate, Financial Aid was the most frequently cited college service that helped them persist toward graduation (34.1%), followed by Scholarships (29.5%). Other helpful services included Student Support Services (20.5%), Student Involvement (18.2%), Tutorial Centers (18.2%), Mental Health and Counseling (13.6%), and Success Navigators (11.4%). Smaller proportions of respondents reported benefiting from Disability Services (6.8%), Computer Services/Labs (4.5%), and Recreational and Athletics services (2.3%). No respondents identified Career Services or the Children’s Center as services that helped them persist.
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In the open ended “Other (please specify)” responses, students identified a range of supports that contributed to their persistence at SUNY WCC. Several respondents referenced individual faculty members, including professors and curriculum chairs, noting the importance of relationships formed with instructors. Some comments highlighted personal connections with professors as being more helpful than formal academic offices.
Specific programs and offices were also mentioned. These included EOP, the Veterans’ Office, and individual staff support, with one respondent naming a specific staff member. Library access and hours were identified by one respondent as a helpful resource.
A sense of community and belonging was also referenced, with one respondent describing SUNY WCC as feeling like a home due to the length of time enrolled
Did you receive a private scholarship while you attended SUNY WCC?
Private scholarships include SUNY Westchester Community College Foundation Scholarships, the Davis Scholarship, the Great Chefs Scholarship, the Honors Scholarship, and the PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship and do not include government scholarships like the Pell grant or the TAP grant.
Survey responses regarding receipt of private scholarships were distributed across three categories. A majority of respondents, 55.9%, reported that they did not receive a private scholarship while attending SUNY WCC. Receipt of a private scholarship was reported by 32.2% of respondents.
An additional 11.9% of respondents indicated they were unsure whether they had received a private scholarship.
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How impactful was the scholarship you received in graduating from SUNY WCC?
Responses regarding the impact of scholarships on graduating from SUNY WCC were grouped into combined and individual categories. A total of 93.3% of respondents reported that the scholarship was either impactful or very impactful. The remaining 6.7% of respondents indicated that the scholarship was somewhat impactful.
Across the open ended responses, students most frequently described the financial support provided by scholarships, particularly in relation to covering tuition, textbooks, required fees, and other education related expenses. Several respondents noted that receiving a scholarship helped them remain enrolled during periods of financial hardship, including while balancing work, family responsibilities, health challenges, or limited access to other forms of financial aid.
Students also referenced the role of scholarships in allowing them to focus more on their academic coursework, reduce work hours, or complete final program requirements. In addition to financial assistance, some respondents mentioned support from faculty, advisors, and student services as part of their overall experience as scholarship recipients. A number of comments highlighted the importance of scholarships in supporting program completion, degree attainment, or preparation for transfer or licensure-related expenses.
What is your employment status?
Reported employment status among survey respondents was distributed across several categories. Not employed and seeking employment was selected by 23.2% of respondents. Employment part time in positions not related to their degree or certificate accounted for 19.7%, while 16.9% reported being employed full time in positions not related to their degree or certificate.
An equal 16.9% of respondents indicated they were employed full time in positions related to their degree or certificate. Not employed and not seeking employment was reported by 12.7% of respondents. Employment part time in positions related to their degree or certificate accounted for 7.7%, and 2.8% reported being self employed.
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Is this your first professional position obtained after earning your degree?
Survey responses regarding whether the current position was the first professional position obtained after earning a degree were divided into two categories. A total of 39.3% of respondents reported that their current position was their first professional position after earning their degree. The remaining 60.7% indicated that it was not their first professional position.
Review the first professional position datapoints and chart
Where is your employer located?
Among employed respondents, 90.4% reported working in New York State, including 75.9% who were employed in Westchester County and 14.5% who were employed elsewhere in New York State. The remaining 9.6% reported employment outside New York State.
Employers represented a range of industries, including healthcare, education, financial services, retail, hospitality, social services, construction, and public service. Notable employers reported by respondents included Westchester Medical Center, White Plains Hospital, Mount Sinai, NewYork Presbyterian, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Nyack Hospital, Westmed Medical Group, NYC Health + Hospitals, M&T Bank, SUNY Westchester Community College, NYCDOE, and Mount Vernon City School District. Other respondents reported working for organizations such as Access Support for Living, Boys & Girls Club, Cayuga Centers, Yedei Chesed, Inc., Banfield Pet Hospital, Nordstrom, Brooks Brothers, Old Navy, Manhattan Woods Golf Club, Montessori International, and Excelsior Prep School.
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What is your current salary range?
Reported current salary ranges among employed respondents varied across five categories. A majority of respondents, 54.3%, reported earning below $30,000 annually. Salaries in the $30,000–$39,999 range were reported by 4.9% of respondents, while 14.8% reported earnings between $40,000 and $49,999. Additional respondents reported higher salary ranges. Earnings between $50,000 and $59,999 were reported by 7.4% of respondents, and 18.5% reported earning above $60,000.
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To what extent do you feel your SUNY WCC education prepared you for your current job?
Survey respondents reported varying levels of preparation for their current job as a result of their SUNY WCC education. Well prepared was selected by 43.4% of respondents, while 31.3% reported feeling moderately prepared. Smaller proportions reported lower levels of preparation. Slightly prepared was selected by 16.9% of respondents, and 8.4% indicated they felt not at all prepared.
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Are you satisfied with your current job?
Survey respondents reported varying levels of satisfaction with their current job. Satisfied was selected by 56.1% of respondents, while 26.8% reported being very satisfied. Lower levels of satisfaction were reported by smaller proportions. Dissatisfied was selected by 12.2% of respondents, and 4.9% indicated they were very dissatisfied.
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Review the satisfaction datapoints and chart
Review the salary range datapoints and chart
Student Comments
Graduates who provided additional comments most frequently expressed positive views about their experiences at SUNY WCC. Many respondents highlighted the quality of instruction, supportive faculty and staff, affordability, transfer preparation, and the overall educational experience. Several respondents specifically acknowledged professors, academic programs, student support services, and opportunities that contributed to their success. A smaller number of comments included suggestions for improvement, such as increasing networking and internship opportunities, expanding support for specific academic programs, improving social engagement, and enhancing advising and graduation-related processes.
Examples of positive comments included:
- “Enjoyed every moment while at SUNY WCC! Enjoyed coming every day to learn something new by the professors and faculty!”
- “Best college, prepare you, helpful professors and staff.”
- “SUNY WCCC completely exceeded my academic expectations. I am thrilled to be part of this community and couldn’t see myself thriving the way I did at any other program.”
- “WCC was a great start to get me prepared for transferring to a 4 year university.”
- “The overall experience at SUNY WCC was one of the best experiences in my entire life.”
Examples of suggestions and areas for improvement included:
- “I enjoyed my time and learned a lot. I wish there were more chances to network with people in my field.”
- “I wish I had an actual internship after degree.”
- “I did not receive an official diploma upon graduation just a message from the alumni association.”
Overall, the comments reflected a high level of satisfaction with SUNY WCC, with many graduates emphasizing the positive impact of faculty support, academic preparation, and campus resources on their educational experiences.
Final Comments
The information presented above can be used by the faculty, staff, and administrators of the College to identify areas for improvement. It can be a valuable tool for assessment of academic programs, College services, and College processes, and can provide a starting point for future analyses.
For additional disaggregation of the data, or additional information, please contact Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness at IR@sunywcc.edu.
We want to hear from you! As a recent graduate of SUNY Westchester Community College, your experience truly matters. Please take a few minutes to complete our short graduate survey. Your feedback helps us understand how well we supported you during your time at SUNY WCC—and what you’ve been up to since graduation.
As a thank you, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one of four $25 Amazon gift cards!
Why take the survey?
- Your insights help shape SUNY WCC’s future.
- Your feedback directly influences improvements to our programs, student services, and future graduates’ success.
- Your responses are confidential—only summary data will be shared.
It takes just a few minutes to complete, and your voice makes a difference. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness at surveys@sunywcc.edu. Thank you for helping us build a better SUNY WCC! Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness SUNY Westchester Community College