2013 National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) Overview
- Title: 2013 National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG)
- Purpose: The NSCG is a longitudinal survey, designed to provide data on the number and characteristics of experienced individuals with a bachelor's or higher degree, with a special focus on individuals with education and/or employment in science or engineering (S&E) living in the United States. The results of this survey are vital for educational planners within the Federal Government and in academia. The results are also used by employers in all sectors (education, industry, and the government) to understand trends in employment opportunities and salaries in S&E fields and to evaluate the effectiveness of equal opportunity efforts. The National Center of Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) combines this information with similar survey data from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients. The integrated data serve as the basis for the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT) as mandated by the Congress.
- Survey design and sample size: The 2013 NSCG sample consists of approximately 83,000 respondents from the 2011 American Community Survey and 60,000 respondents from the 2010 National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) and the 2010 NSCG. The total sample size is approximately 143,000 cases. Data collection for the 2013 NSCG begins in February 2013 and continues through July 2013. Data collection utilizes a multi-mode approach of computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and self-administered paper or web questionnaires. Sample members will receive a combination of a pre-notification letter, web invitation, questionnaire, CATI invitation, reminder email, phone call and postcard. In April of 2013, all nonrespondents will be followed up using CATI.
- Type of respondent: Response is by the designated respondent with limited exceptions. Eligible respondents are non-institutionalized individuals under the age of 76 who have a bachelor's or higher degree and were living in the United States or its territories during the survey reference week, the week of February 1, 2013.
- Sponsoring agency and legal authorities: The NCSES at NSF sponsors the survey. The NSCG information is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and is collected under the authority of Title 13, Section 8, United States Code. The NCSES fulfills the legislative mandate of the National Science Foundation Act to provide a central clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on scientific and engineering resources, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation by other agencies of the federal government. More information on the survey and its sponsoring agency can be found at://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvygrads/.
- Periodicity: The NSCG is conducted approximately every two years. The reference date for the 2003 NSCG was October 1, 2003. The reference date for the 2006 NSCG was April 1, 2006. The reference date for the 2008 NSCG was October 1, 2008. The reference date for the 2010 NSCG was October 1, 2010. The reference date for the 2013 NSCG is February 1, 2013.
- Release of results: At periodic intervals, the NSF releases reports from each round of the survey using the integrated SESTAT data. The data are also available online in the NSF's SESTAT database.
- Historical background: The prototype survey to the NSCG was the National Survey of Natural and Social Scientists and Engineers, which we conducted for the NSF in the 1970s and the 1980s. The 1993 NSCG was the baseline survey for the decade of the 1990s. Approximately 214,000 people were selected for the 1993 NSCG from those cases that had completed the 1990 decennial census long form and indicated that they had received at least a bachelor's degree in addition to other sampling criteria. Follow-up surveys were conducted every two years and included only individuals identified in the 1993 survey as having an S&E degree and/or an S&E occupation who responded in the prior survey year and who met other eligibility criteria (e.g., age criteria). During the follow-up years, a small sample of NSRCG respondents were also surveyed as part of the NSCG. The 1999 NSCG was the last interview panel for the 1990s.
The 2003 NSCG is the baseline survey for the decade of the 2000s. Approximately 177,320 people were initially selected for the 2003 NSCG new cohort sample from those cases that had completed the 2000 decennial census long form and indicated that they had received at least a bachelor's degree in addition to other sampling criteria. The final 2003 NSCG new cohort sample size was 170,797 cases after some adjustments were made to the sampling frame. An additional 40,073 cases were selected for the 2003 NSCG old cohort sample from respondents to the 1999 NSCG (originally from either the 1993 NSCG or the 1993-1997 NSRCG), the 1999 NSRCG, or the 2001 NSRCG. Follow-up surveys are conducted every two or three years and include only individuals identified in the 2003 NSCG new cohort survey as having an S&E degree and/or an S&E occupation who responded in the prior survey year and who met other eligibility criteria (e.g., age criteria). During the follow-up years, a small sample of respondents to the 2001 and later NSRCGs was also surveyed as part of the NSCG. The survey sample size for the 2008 NSCG was the same as for the 2006 NSCG (68,000 cases).
- Contact person: Benjamin Reist, (301) 763-6021.
- Approximate cost: $13 million for fiscal years 2012-2015.
- Census project numbers: 7491012 and 7491013
- OMB control number: 3145-0141.
In 2010, the Census discontinued the use of the long form, so the American Community Survey (ACS) was used as a sampling frame for the 2010 NSCG and 2013 NSCG. Additionally, the surveys now include individuals identified as having received at least a bachelor's degree in any field.