NSSE data shows IC students widely engaged and supported
NSSE surveys are a nationally respected standard used to measure student engagement at colleges and universities throughout the country.
Recently released data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), show Illinois College students are more engaged in hands-on, high-impact learning activities — including student-faculty research, internships and service-learning — than students at other colleges in the comparison group which includes private colleges throughout the Midwest.
A significantly higher percentage of IC seniors reported participating in high impact learning activities than their comparison group counterparts at similar colleges. Strikingly, 100% of seniors report they engaged in one high-impact learning activity while 90% of seniors did two or more whereas only 79% of seniors at similar schools in the region reported doing so. Significantly higher percentages of IC seniors reported gains in critical thinking and in effective writing and speaking than did seniors at comparison institutions.
Provost and Dean of the College Catharine O’Connell said the active learning practices measured within the survey data are proven by decades of research to have a strong connection to student learning and retention. She also said these experiences cultivate the traits that today’s employers value.
“This is another indicator that Illinois College is providing a valuable education that prepares our students to Graduate READY for success in the workplace and graduate school. They are strong communicators and strategic thinkers,” O'Connell said.
On average, IC students also reported that they experienced a more supportive environment than did students at comparison institutions. For seniors, the positive responses were significantly higher for IC students compared to students in the comparison group.
NSSE surveys are a nationally respected standard used to measure student engagement at colleges and universities throughout the country and conducted by Indiana University’s Center for Postsecondary Research. The independent survey is conducted at IC every three years and serves as a widely trusted source of information for incoming students making their college decision. Results are also useful internally for colleges in evaluating their effectiveness.
O’Connell added that these results reflect a campus-wide effort — the powerful educational experiences measured by the survey require a considerable commitment of time and effort by IC faculty and students, often working collaboratively in diverse groups.
In 2024, 187,229 students responded to the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) from a pool of approximately 1 million first-year and senior students. The students came from 373 institutions, including 362 in the US.