National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) assesses the amount of time and effort first-year students and seniors spend on academic and extracurricular activities, as well as the degree to which institutions emphasize and encourage students to participate in activities that are considered important to their learning and development. Every three years (the typical cycle, nationally, for the survey), the NSSE is administered in the spring to first-year students and seniors. VCU uses the results of this survey to estimate how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college.

• Population: First-year students and seniors
• Frequency: Every 3 years since 2011 (annually before 2011)
• More Info: NSSE’s website contains a variety of resources related to utilizing NSSE data, as well as information about the history and development of the survey.

Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI)

The Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Survey (SSI) survey assesses undergraduate student satisfaction across many facets of their educational experience, as well as what issues are most important to them. Faculty and administrators can use the survey to identify students’ priorities, areas of strength and challenge for the institution, and difference in experience among subgroups of students. 

• Population: All undergraduate (Richmond) and all students (Qatar)
• Frequency: Every 3 years since 2009
• More Info: The Ruffalo Noel Levitz website contains a variety of resources related to utilizing SSI data, as well as information about the history and development of the survey.

IRDS also conducts the Noel Levitz Adult Student Priorities Survey (ASPS) for graduate and first-professional students.

Ruffalo Noel Levitz Adult Student Priorities Survey (ASPS)

The Noel Levitz Adult Student Priorities Survey (ASPS) survey assesses graduate and first-professional students’ satisfaction across many facets of their educational experience, as well as what issues are most important to them. Faculty and administrators can use the survey to identify these students’ priorities, areas of strength and challenge for the institution, and difference in experience among subgroups of students. 

• Population: All graduate and first professional students
• Frequency: Every 3 years since 2009
• More Info: The Ruffalo Noel Levitz website contains a variety of resources related to utilizing ASPS data, as well as information about the history and development of the survey.

IRDS also conducts the Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) for undergraduate students.

VCU First Destinations Survey

The VCU First Destination Survey collects graduating students’ first destination occupation (e.g., employment, graduate school, military, etc.). The survey is open for 6 months after graduation, but graduating students have an opportunity before the closing date to update their information.

• Population: All graduating students and recent graduates (up to 6 months post-graduation)
• Frequency: Ongoing Since May 2018
• More Info: The First-Destination Dashboard Survey Dashboard offers access to specific outcomes data. You can request authorization by completing the Dashboard Access Request Form.

Prior to the class of 2018, VCU used GradLeaders' The Outcomes Survey tool and platform.

VCU Climate Report

The Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness, and Success monitors and reports on the university's progress toward a more diverse and inclusive culture and climate. Major academic and administrative units are assessed every 18 months and are rated and ranked based on their performance on three indices: diversity index, inclusion index and engagement index. 

Access to the diversity and inclusion campus ratings can be found on the 2021 Campus Culture and Climate Ratings dashboard.