Welcome to the Office of International Education: What the Research Says

• 97% of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. (1) That means they were twice as likely to find a job. Among study abroad alumni, 90% landed a job within 6 months. (2) A UK study supports US findings that study abroad returnees are more likely to find employment within six months. (12)
• 25% higher starting salaries: that's how much more study abroad students earn than those college graduates who do not study abroad.(1) A British study found their study abroad graduates out-earned their peers by 17%. (12) This equates to approx. $7,000 annually for US students and £3,120 for UK students. Maintaining this earning advantage translates to earning an extra $567,500 over one's career in the US. (3)
• 90% of study abroad alumni who applied got into 1st or 2nd choice grad school. (1)
• 84% of study abroad alumni felt their studies abroad helped them build valuable skills for the job market. (4) A second study confirms this at 85%. (10)
• 40% of US businesses failed to expand due to a dearth of staff international experience. (14)
• 80% of study abroad students reported that study abroad allowed them to better adapt to diverse work environments. (4)
• 70% of study abroad alumni claimed that because of study abroad they were more satisfied with their jobs. (4)
• 59% of employers said study abroad would be valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization. (11)
• 34% of study abroad alumni claimed that study abroad helped them choose a career field. (4)
• 19% A British study found the greatest increases salary earnings among study abroad alumni (compared to their peers) among seven majors: sociology, computer science, theology and religious studies, electronic and electrical engineering, and physical geographical sciences. (4)

100% greater improvement in GPA post-study abroad. Student GPAs tend to rise as they approach the completion of their undergraduate degree. Students who studied abroad saw their GPAs rise twice as quickly as a result of going abroad compared to students who stayed in the USA according to a Georgia study. (8)

97% of students in a University of Maryland study on IES Abroad study abroad alumni attributed an increased maturity to study abroad. (13)

96% of study abroad alumni claimed an increase in self-confidence due to study abroad. (13)

89% of study abroad alumni reported that study abroad facilitated a greater tolerance for 

ambiguity. (13)

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