Survey Shows Strong 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).

In addition, compared with other schools across the country, UW students express higher-than-average satisfaction with opportunities for intellectual growth, faculty qualifications, campus safety and the belief that their tuition payments are a worthwhile investment.

And, since the last survey taken in 2016, UW student satisfaction has improved significantly in availability of tutoring services; library resources and services; the performance of the admissions and registrar’s offices; the approachability of UW administrators; and the university’s commitment to racial harmony.

The UWSSS consists of two national surveys: the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, first administered at UW in 1998, and the American Collegiate Testing Inc. survey, first used at UW in 1994. The 2018 UW student survey provided a representative sample of UW students, yielding 2,437 responses.

“The survey results show that the vast majority of our students are happy with their educational experience -- that the University of Wyoming is an extremely desirable place to pursue and receive a college degree,” President Laurie Nichols says. “At the same time, there are some areas where students are less satisfied, and we will be working to address those concerns.”

Highlights from the latest UWSSS include:

-- The percentage of students who are pleased with their UW education is 93 percent, a number that has held relatively constant since 2004. Satisfaction ranges from 98 percent for freshmen to 89 percent for seniors.

-- Ninety-five percent of students from outside Wyoming are pleased with their UW education, slightly higher than the in-state percentage of 93 percent. The number is 90 percent for international students.

-- Eighty percent of UW students say they would enroll here if they had to do it over, a percentage that is significantly higher than the national average.

-- Characteristics that elicited the most positive comments include the quality of UW’s courses and faculty; the university’s affordability; small class sizes; and the beauty of the campus and Laramie’s location.

-- Among the issues eliciting the most negative responses were lack of campus parking and UW’s residence halls.

-- The percentage of students who believe the campus is safe and secure is 85 percent, with only 8 percent dissatisfied.

-- Asked if they experience intellectual growth at UW, 89 percent of students answer yes, up from 82 percent in 2016, with just 4 percent expressing dissatisfaction.

-- Regarding UW’s commitment to academic excellence, 82 percent of students indicate satisfaction, up from 76 percent in 2016, with 8 percent dissatisfied.

-- Ninety percent of students are satisfied with faculty knowledge in their fields of expertise, up from 80 percent in 2016.

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

-- Eighty-four percent of students say tutoring services are readily available, up from 75 percent in 2016, with just 4 percent dissatisfied.

-- Library resources and services receive high marks, with 92 percent satisfied -- up from 77 percent in 2016 -- and just 3 percent dissatisfied. Likewise, 87 percent of students say library staff members are helpful and approachable, up from 71 percent in 2016.

-- Seventy-six percent of students describe their tuition as a worthwhile investment, up from 73 percent in 2016 and significantly higher than the national average.

-- Eighty-eight percent of students rate UW’s atmosphere as friendly, with just 6 percent deeming it hostile.

-- Seventy-four percent of students say there is a strong commitment to racial harmony on campus, up from 68 percent in 2016.

-- Seventy-five percent of students say admissions counselors respond to prospective students’ unique needs and requests, up from 62 percent in 2016.

-- Eighty percent of students say personnel involved in registration are helpful, up from 68 percent in 2016 and significantly higher than the national average.

-- Seventy-three percent of students say UW administrators are approachable, up from 65 percent in 2016 and the highest level since the question was first asked in 1998.

-- Fifty-two percent of students are satisfied with living conditions in the residence halls, with 30 percent dissatisfied.

-- Satisfaction with UW’s services to veterans is 90 percent, up from 71 percent in 2016.

-- Student use of UW’s transit service has increased significantly, reaching 50 percent in 2018 -- up from 36 percent a decade ago.

-- Seventy-four percent of students say intercollegiate athletics programs contribute to a strong sense of school spirit, up from 49 percent in 2016 -- and significantly higher than the national average.

-- Satisfaction with UW’s recreational and intramural programs is at 87 percent.

Full survey results may be found here.