Source: Flickr / Kevin Dooley.
There are several factors that influence how quickly you will procure a job in your chosen field after you graduate from college, not the least of which is the course of study you choose, and how well you apply yourself during your college career.
Another big consideration is how well the college of your choice launches its graduates into successful careers. Job placement rates among U.S. colleges and universities vary greatly, as a quick perusal of the Open Education Database proves. Would you truly consider attending a college that reports a career placement rate of, say, only 50%?
Here is a sampling of some colleges that boast a high job placement rate of at least 90% for their graduates. Since college costs are of great concern these days, I specifically chose schools that also had an excellent track record for providing students with generous financial aid packages, as well.
Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts
Located outside of Boston, Regis College is a Catholic school that offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs in the health sciences, liberal arts, education, and social sciences. The school proudly notes that its job placement rate is 90%, and the majority of its students participate in internships before graduation. Regis is pricey, though – tuition and fees for 2014 to 2015 comes to $49,450, minus health insurance.
Luckily, the college has a need-blind admissions policy, and last year awarded 90% of its freshman a school-based aid package averaging $16,000.
Trine University, Angola, Indiana
Trine offers more than 40 programs in the arts and sciences for its undergraduate and graduate students, as well as two-year and master's degrees for working adults. The school recently noted that 97% of those that graduated between 2012 and 2013 either found jobs or were enrolled in graduate school within six months. For graduates with engineering and accounting degrees, the percentage reached 100%.
College-based financial aid is generous, with 97% of students each year sharing $20 million in scholarships and grants. Tuition and fees total $28,850 per year.
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
This big, public university has an enrollment of approximately 22,000, yet still manages to excel when it comes to job placement. A survey of 2012 graduates shows an overall rate of employment or graduate school attendance of nearly 90% within seven months, including those not actively looking for work.
Some type of financial aid is received by 80% of the school's students, but tuition and fees at the University of Iowa are quite affordable. In-state students pay only $8,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state attendees pay $27,409.
College is expensive, but choosing a school with excellent job placement services and generous financial assistance can help ameliorate money worries during your college career, as well as after you graduate.
