Surveys Show High Student Satisfaction at UW

More than 90 percent of University of Wyoming students are pleased with their UW education, according to the latest UW Student Satisfaction Survey (UWSSS).

Additionally, compared with other schools across the country, UW students express higher-than-average satisfaction with the university’s overall college experience, variety of course offerings, facilities and personal safety.

The UWSSS consists of one UW student survey conducted on a biennial basis since 1994, along with two national surveys: the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, first administered at UW in 1998, and the American Collegiate Testing Inc. (ACT) survey, first used at UW in 1994. Together, these surveys provide UW important data and national comparison information.

The 2016 UW student survey, provided to a representative sample of students both on campus and through the Outreach School, yielded about 1,300 responses.

“UW students continue to be overwhelmingly happy with the education they receive, along with most aspects of campus life, showing that the university is an extremely desirable place to pursue and receive a college degree,” President Laurie Nichols says. “In the areas where students are less satisfied -- including our residence halls and ability to register for certain classes -- we are taking steps to address those concerns.”

Highlights from the latest UWSSS include:

-- The percentage of students who are pleased with their UW education is 95 percent, a number that has held relatively constant since 2004, with 53 percent agreeing strongly with that statement and 42 percent agreeing somewhat.

-- Seventy-seven percent of UW students are satisfied with their college experience, significantly higher than the national average of U.S. public universities, with just 10 percent dissatisfied.

-- The percentage of students who believe the campus is safe and secure is 81 percent, with only 6 percent dissatisfied in the Noel-Levitz survey. In addition, 77 percent of students are satisfied with personal security and safety, according to the ACT survey, with just 5 percent dissatisfied. Both sets of responses are significantly more positive than national averages.

-- Seventy-eight percent of students say they would enroll at UW again “if they had to do it over again,” a percentage also significantly greater than the national average.

-- Asked if they experienced intellectual growth at UW, 82 percent of students answer yes, with just 4 percent expressing dissatisfaction.

-- Regarding UW’s commitment to academic excellence, 73 percent of students indicate satisfaction, with 6 percent dissatisfied.

-- Eight of 10 students are satisfied with faculty knowledge in their fields of expertise, as well as the content of courses within their majors.

-- Eighty-six percent of students are satisfied with class sizes, with just 3 percent dissatisfied.

-- Seventy-three percent of students describe their tuition as a worthwhile investment, the same number as 2014.

-- Eighty-eight percent of students rate UW’s atmosphere as friendly, with just 2 percent deeming it hostile.

-- Satisfaction with UW’s recreational and intramural programs is 92 percent, significantly higher than the national average.

-- Eighty-four percent of students are satisfied with UW’s classroom facilities, 77 percent with laboratory facilities, and 95 percent with library facilities and services -- all percentages up from 2014 and all significantly higher than national averages.

-- The percentage of students satisfied with computer services is 85 percent, while satisfaction with computer labs was 81 percent -- numbers that also are significantly higher than national averages.

-- The percentage of students who express satisfaction at the availability of financial aid is 64 percent, compared with 66 percent in 2014.

Full results of each survey can be found at www.uwyo.edu/studentaff/_files/stusatisfaction2016.pdf.