Most McMaster graduates employed within six months

In just six months after graduation, 94.6 per cent of McMaster students are employed, according to a recent provincial survey. In two years, that number rises to 96.1. As well, fewer McMaster students are defaulting on their loans and more who embark on a degree, graduate with one.

“I'm not surprised by these results,” says McMaster President Peter George, in response to the survey sponsored by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Council of Ontario Universities. “McMaster has always graduated high-quality students who have the knowledge, skills and experience that employers require.”

The Ontario Universities' Application Centre collected information using a mail-out survey targeting 2001 graduates of bachelor and first professional degree programs.

The survey also measures Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) default rates and graduation rates. In 2003, of the McMaster students issued loans in the 2000-01 year, only 4.9 per cent defaulted on repayment, a decrease from 5.4 per cent in 2002. The survey also illustrates that 80 per cent of McMaster students in bachelors or first professional degree programs in 1995, subsequently received a degree between 1996 and 2002.

McMaster's performance rates exceed the provincial average. Province-wide, 93.6 per cent of students found a job in six months, and 95.8 per cent in two years. In Ontario, 7.1 per cent of students defaulted on OSAP loans, and 74 per cent of students who started in a program degree in 1995, graduated between 1996 and 2002.

“These measures confirm the value of a McMaster degree,” says George, “and prove a McMaster education is a good investment.”

See the Graduation, Employment and OSAP Loan Default Rates table for full program results.