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National Survey of Student Engagement:
CU-Boulder 2000 Results and Highlights

CU-Boulder at a Glance: General Characteristics

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) asked seniors and freshmen at 276 U.S. colleges and universities about experiences and skills acquired during the course of their education and about their academic and non-academic activities. In spring 2000, 700 freshmen and 1500 seniors at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) were invited to complete the NSSE; 346 freshmen and 572 seniors completed surveys on the web for an overall response rate of 40%. Highlights from the survey are presented below.

Overall, students are satisfied with their UCB experience. Both seniors and freshmen rate CU-Boulder quite high overall. Nearly all would return to UCB if they were starting their academic career over.

CU-Boulder emphasizes analyzing, synthesizing, and applying knowledge. Students reported that their classes placed much emphasis on critical analysis and applying and synthesizing information.  Over half of all seniors and freshmen agreed that their classes emphasized those skills.  Although almost three quarters of freshmen reported that their classes also emphasized memorization, this emphasis was greatly reduced in senior level classes.

UCB freshmen and seniors have a variety of classroom experiences. Nearly all seniors have asked questions or participated in class, made a class presentation, and worked on a group project for class; most freshmen have had these academic experiences as well.

A UCB education contributes to students' knowledge and skills in a number of areas. Both seniors and freshmen believe that UCB has enhanced their critical analysis skills and has given them a broad general education.  Additionally, over 50% of seniors report that their UCB education has contributed to the development and acquisition of skills to work effectively both alone and with others. Other benefits frequently cited by seniors include the development of self-knowledge, computer skills, quantitative skills, and writing skills. Freshmen, for the most part, agree, although fewer than 50% state that their education, up to this point, has improved their job related skills, their speaking skills, or their writing skills. These students may simply have not been at the University long enough to reap these benefits.

Very few UCB students believe that their education has increased the likelihood that they will vote; few also say that their education has increased their efforts to contribute to the community.

CU-Boulder freshmen and seniors interact with faculty. As a whole, UCB students report interacting with their faculty in a wide variety of academic contexts.  Nearly all have discussed grades or assignments with faculty, many have discussed ideas from readings or lectures with faculty, and a large number have talked about their career plans with faculty. Nearly all students say they've worked harder than they thought was possible to meet faculty expectations.

Over twice the percentage of seniors than freshmen have participated in research with faculty, and seniors were much more likely to discuss readings and ideas from lectures with their professors.

CU-Boulder seniors participate in a variety of outside-the-classroom activities.  The vast majority of UCB seniors have participated in activities such as internships or volunteer work.  About half of all seniors have completed interdisciplinary and/or foreign language course work.  Over a third have finished or will complete a senior thesis or similar culminating project. Freshmen have, or plan to, participate in internships, community service, and study abroad.

CU-Boulder students lead balanced lives.  The majority of CU-Boulder students spend more than ten hours a week studying, but they also spend more than ten hours per week socializing.  Many seniors spend a significant amount of time working for pay on- or off-campus, while freshmen spend more time than seniors both socializing and studying.

NSSE 2000 Table of Contents

Last revision 04/26/02

hm - l:\www\surveys\nsse\00\glance.htm last updated 1/08/01