National Survey of College Graduates
As part of NCSES's ongoing website redesign project, the National Survey of College Graduates page has been reimagined. Beginning in May 2023, only survey data published from the 2021 cycle or earlier will be available on this page. Data from all subsequent cycles will be published on our new National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) page.
The National Survey of College Graduates is a repeated cross-sectional biennial survey that provides data on the nation's college graduates, with a focus on those in the science and engineering workforce. This survey is a unique source for examining the relationship of degree field and occupation in addition to other characteristics of college-educated individuals, including work activities, salary, and demographic information.
Survey Description
Questionnaires
Overview: NSCG
This overview provides a brief introduction to the National Survey of College Graduates, general details on the type of information collected, and how to access the data.
- National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG WMPD): 2017(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 20-300 | November 7, 2019 - See more in Characteristics of College Graduates →
(A): Archived Publication
- Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Employment, Earnings, and Professional Engagement: New Insights from the 2021 National Survey of College Graduates
InfoBriefs | NSF 23-307 | January 27, 2023 - The Increasing Role of Community Colleges among Bachelor's Degree Recipients: Findings from the 2019 National Survey of College Graduates
InfoBriefs | NSF 21-309 | January 27, 2021 - Characteristics of College Graduates, with a Focus on Veterans(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 19-300 | October 22, 2018 - Prevalence of Certifications and Licenses among the College-Educated Population in the United States(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 17-312 | January 26, 2017 - Immigrants' Growing Presence in the U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce: Education and Employment Characteristics in 2013(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 15-328 | September 10, 2015 - Characteristics of the College-Educated Population and the Science and Engineering Workforce in the United States(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 15-317 | April 6, 2015 - Employment Decisions of U.S. and Foreign Doctoral Graduates: A Comparative Study(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 15-302 | December 4, 2014 - Employment and Educational Characteristics of Scientists and Engineers(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 13-311 | January 7, 2013 - See more in Characteristics of College Graduates →
- A Quarter of College Graduates and About Half of Doctorate Holders in Science and Engineering Occupations Were R&D Workers in 2019
Other | NSF 22-339 | September 29, 2022 - See more in Characteristics of College Graduates →
- Publications Output: U.S. Trends and International Comparisons
Special Reports | NSB 2021-4 | October 28, 2021 - Science and Technology: Public Perceptions, Awareness, and Information Sources
Special Reports | NSB 2022-7 | May 4, 2022 - The STEM Labor Force of Today: Scientists, Engineers, and Skilled Technical Workers
Special Reports | NSB 2021-2 | August 31, 2021 - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2019
Special Reports | NSF 19-304 | March 8, 2019 - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2017(A)
Special Reports | NSF 17-310 | January 30, 2017 - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2015(A)
Special Reports | NSF 15-311 | January 30, 2015 - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: Data Update
Special Reports | NSF 13-304 | October 31, 2014 - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: Data Update
Special Reports | NSF 13-304AB | November 14, 2013 - SESTAT: A Tool for Studying Scientists and Engineers in the US(A)
Special Reports | NSF 99-337 | April 16, 1999 - See more in Characteristics of College Graduates →
- Research Issues in the International Migration of Highly Skilled Workers: A Perspective with Data from the United States(A)
Working Papers | SRS 07-203 | June 14, 2007 - Using the American Community Survey as the Sampling Frame for the National Survey of College Graduates(A)
Working Papers | NCSES 12-201 | August 17, 2012 - Comparison of the National Science Foundation's Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT) with the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey (CPS)(A)
Working Papers | SRS 07-205 | August 17, 2007 - Current and Alternative Sources of Data on the Science and Engineering Workforce(A)
Working Papers | SRS 07-202 | June 8, 2007 - Design Options for SESTAT for the Current Decade: Statistical Issues(A)
Working Papers | SRS 07-201 | June 8, 2007 - See more in Characteristics of College Graduates →
(A): Archived Publication
- SESTAT: Characteristics of Scientists and Engineers in the United States
- Tabular data, generated from the SESTAT data system, provides a profile the U.S. science and engineering (S&E) workforce. The tabulations include characteristics of all U.S. scientists and engineers, employed scientists and engineers, and salaries information for scientists and engineers. Data are presented by degree field and occupation, and by characteristics such as sex, race, ethnicity, age and citizenship. Learn about the redesign of SESTAT.
- Science and Engineering Indicators
- This biennial report to Congress provides a broad base of quantitative information about U.S. science, engineering, and technology.
- Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in S&E
- This series presents trends in the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering fields. Topics include higher-education enrollments, degrees, institutions, and financial support and employment status, occupations, sectors, and salaries.
Lynn Milan
Survey Manager
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
(703) 292-2275
Last Updated: January 2025
