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Survey Finds 97% of 2021 Grads Employed or Continuing Education

May 13, 2022

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Nearly 97% of 2021 graduates were employed or enrolled in higher education programs within six months of graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University, according to the annual First Destination Survey from the Hart Career Center. 

The First Destination Survey allows IWU’s Hart Career Center to track the employment and graduate/professional school enrollment of all graduating students. The survey is guided by principles from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. back of student wearing gradcap

Based on data obtained for 90.5% of 2021 graduates, the survey found that 74.8% of the alumni were employed full-time with an average starting salary of $51,386. The top three employment industries were healthcare (23.7%), K-12 education (8%) and accounting (7.2%). Meanwhile, 17.5% of respondents were enrolled in graduate or professional programs.

“We are pleased with the results of the survey and believe that it is the result of our students' preparation both inside and outside of the classroom, extracurricular and leadership involvement and the relationships the Hart Career Center maintains with employers in a variety of fields,” said Warren Kistner '83, director of the Hart Career Center. “Illinois Wesleyan has enjoyed a reputation for producing well-rounded graduates who possess background in their disciplines coupled with mastery of the soft skills that employers identify as essential.  

The survey found 72.4% of Titans in the class of 2021 prepared for post-graduate careers with an internship at Illinois Wesleyan and 28.4% of students completed multiple internships. 

Graduates reported employment in 25 states and the District of Columbia, and in four locations outside of the United States including Austria, China, France and Japan. Students in graduate or professional programs reported enrollment in 16 states and the District of Columbia. 

Consistent with the First Destination Survey results, Illinois Wesleyan continues to be recognized nationally for graduate success. According to Zippia’s most recent rankings from 2021, IWU ranks No. 1 in Illinois and No. 7 in the U.S. on the list of “Best Colleges for Getting a Job,” based on Department of Education College Scorecard Data .

By Julia Perez