Survey: 86 percent of AU alumni would definitely attend again

An overwhelming majority of Auburn University alumni would definitely attend AU again for their undergraduate degree, according to poll data released recently by Southeast Research Inc., a polling firm with offices in Montgomery and Southern Pines, N.C.

Eighty-six percent of 400 randomly selected recent Auburn graduates said that, if they could do it all over again, they would definitely attend AU for their undergraduate degree. Another 9 percent said they would probably attend AU again.

In contrast, only 4 percent indicated they would probably (2.5 percent) or definitely (1.5 percent) not attend AU again.

“It’s obvious from the data that our recent alumni are very satisfied with their undergraduate experiences at Auburn,” said AU interim President Ed Richardson. “All the anecdotal evidence has indicated that has been the case for some time now. But it’s pleasing to see data that confirms what we’ve believed.”

The telephone survey was conducted between Feb. 21 and March 3 and includes a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. All survey respondents received their undergraduate degrees from Auburn during the 2002-03 academic year.

In addition to whether they would attend AU again, poll respondents were asked to rate on a scale of 1-10 several aspects of their time at AU. Among the key average ratings were:

- Overall undergraduate experience: 8.8;

- Satisfaction that degree was worth time and money invested: 8.8;

- Degree’s preparation for current job: 8.1

- Quality of courses within major: 8.8;

- Quality of courses overall: 8.4

- Quality of instruction: 8.1

- Quality of advising: 7.2; and

- Accessibility of advisors: 7.3

Finally, the respondents were also asked to rate several services offered students by the university. Of four services rated, AU’s library service received the highest average rating with a 9.0. Computer services received an average rating of 8.7, financial aid service an average of 8.2, health services an average of 7.5 and career counseling an average of 7.3.

The survey was conducted as part of an effort by the Alabama Legislature’s Commission on Government Accountability to measure alumni satisfaction at all of Alabama’s public universities.