Institutional Research conducts and coordinates a range of surveys to assess various aspects of student life at the University of Kentucky. This section features results from selected surveys that gauge the expectations, experiences, and concerns of students and alumni.

Current Surveys

First Destination Survey: Administered to undergraduate and non-professional graduate students in their last semester of study to assess post-graduation outcomes. This survey includes questions about students' post-graduation plans for jobs, further education, and other activities. It also collects information about students' participation in internships while at UK and the impacts of those internships on students' career outcomes.

Graduating Senior Survey: Administered in fall and spring to undergraduate seniors who have earned at least 90 credit hours and applied for a degree. The survey asks students to evaluate their satisfaction with instruction, programs, and services. Prior to 2018, graduating seniors were also asked to report their educational and career-related plans. These items have since moved to the First Destination Survey. 

National Survey of Student Engagement: Administered annually to first-year students and seniors to assess students' level of engagement in their academic careers. The NSSE measures five key clusters of activities that research has shown to be tied to desired collegiate outcomes: level of academic challenge, student-faculty interactions, active and collaborative learning, enriching educational experiences, and a supportive campus environment. The corresponding Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) measures faculty perspectives on the same topics.

First-Year and Transfer Student Questionnaire: Administered in August, December, and late April to all first-year and transfer students in their first year at UK. This questionnaire is designed to collect in order to gain insights about the attitudes, expectations, and specific needs of each individual member of the incoming class. It is is not a general interest survey. The information collected is used to connect each responding student to appropriate student services to support their success at UK in their first semester and beyond. This questionnaire replaced the previous First Year Student Survey in 2015. For questions about this questionnaire, please contact institutional research.

Archived Surveys

First Year Students, Fall: Administered to first year students to assess high school preparation and readiness for college, students' beliefs, values, and expectations, and social life.

First Year Experiences, Spring: Administered to first-year students regarding their experiences during the first year in college. The survey includes questions about development, college experiences, students' beliefs, values, and expectations, and expectations for college career.

Climate for Learning Survey: A questionnaire providing the University with information to evaluate the social and academic climate on campus.

Undergraduate Alumni: Administered to undergraduate alumni to determine their satisfaction with programs and services, as well as their current educational and employment status. Alumni are surveyed two years after receiving a degree from the University. The alumni surveys were administered on an annual basis for a number of years. Beginning in 2001, the questionnaires were mailed to alumni on a biannual basis.

Graduate Alumni: Administered to graduate alumni to determine their educational and employment status. Alumni are surveyed two years after receiving a degree from the University. The alumni surveys were administered on an annual basis for a number of years. Beginning in 2001, the questionnaires were mailed to alumni on a biannual basis.