As the Class of 2006 makes its way into the working world, many of its members are also making their way toward (eventual) financial independence. In this Commencement installment of "By the Numbers," the Daily explores graduating college students' outlooks on monetary matters, as well as their job-market prospects.
7/10 College upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) who believe they will have a full-time job "within 3 months of graduation," according to a recent CitiBank survey
2.1% Unemployment rate for college graduates in April 2006
14% Increase in the number of college graduates employers intend to hire this year as opposed to last year, according the National Association of Colleges and Employers
59% College upperclassmen who believe they will make $30,000+ in their first year post-graduation
1/3 College upperclassmen who believe they will make $40,000+ in their first year post-graduation
43% College upperclassmen who say they're "extremely/very likely to ask their parents for money if they're unable to meet financial obligations after graduation"
28% Upperclassmen planning on living with their parents post-graduation
10% Amount by which that percentage has increased since last year
47% Upperclassmen who "think they have sufficient knowledge to manage finances and credit responsibilities after graduation"
18% Amount by which that percentage has decreased since 2004
46% Upperclassmen who say they're "good" at managing day-to-day spending
73% Upperclassmen who say they're "consistently" on-time in paying bills
77% Upperclassmen who say they're "concerned with establishing good credit"
1 Rank of "parents" on the list of sources to which upperclassmen turn for financial information
2 Rank of "banks/financial institutions" on that list
3 Rank of "the Internet" on that list
4 Rank of "their college/university" on that list
1095 College upperclassmen included in the study, which took place Feb. 23 - Mar. 7 of this year
+/- 3.1% Margin of error
The information cited above comes from Citi Credit, the Center for American Progress and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
