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ALLEGHENY COLLEGE LIBRARY

hn 17 ..;8

COLLEGE WOMEN GO TO WORK:
Report on Women Graduates

Class of 1956

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
James P. Mitchell, Secretary
WOMEN'S BUREAU
Mrs. Alice K. Leopold, Director
in cooperation with
National Vocational Guidance Association
Women's Section
WOMEN'S BUREAU BULLETIN NO. 264


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1958

FOREWORD
The widening of job horizons for women is one of the most
striking developments of recent years.

More and more, emphasis is

placed on qualifications, training, and experience regardless of
whether an employee is a man or a woman.

In order to qualify for

the new employment opportunities opening in our highly developed
society, women must secure education and training appropriate to
their abilities and interests.
While this survey showing the relationship between academic
education and subsequent employment is expected to interest those
concerned with the development and utilization of the Nation's
trained womanpower, its primary purpose is to help young women
decide how best to use their capabilities.

Of course, college

women anticipate marriage and family responsibilities in the
future, but most must seek employment immediately after graduation
and many return to the labor market when family responsibilities
decrease.

In presenting information which may contribute to a

reasoned choice of career, we are responding to a great challenge
of today and the future-to help women achieve their full stature
as individuals and as effective members of their families, communities, and Nation.

Alice K. Leopold
Director, Women's Bureau


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Acknowledgment is made to the Women's Section of the National
Vocational Guidance :Association for its excellent cooperation in
conducting this survey of ·June 1956 women college graduates.

Fol-

lowing procedures established for the previous survey of June 1955
women graduates (as well as for the pilot survey of June 1954),
that organization secured cooperation from selected colleges and
universities and coordinated preparation and distribution of the
mail questionnaires. The Women's Bureau of the U. S. Department of
Labor selected representative schools, tabulated the replies from·
the graduates, and analyzed the findings.
by Jean A. Wells of the Bureau's

This report was written

Division of Program Planning,

Analysis, and Reports, of which Stella P. Manor is Chief.


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CONTENTS

Page
Highlights .
Who were the graduates surveyed? . . . .
What were the recent graduates doing?.
What kinds of jobs did they get? .
Were first jobs and college majors related? . .
How much did the graduates earn?.
. ...
Comments by the graduates.
. ....
In conclusion. .

1

2
3
·4
6

8
9

12

Appendix tables

L

2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

18.
19.
20.
21.

22.

Numbers of graduates and schools included in survey of June 1956
women college graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Age and marital status of graduates: 1956 and 1955.
Marital status of June 1956 graduates, by age . . .
Undergraduate major of graduates: 1956 and 195"5. . .
Employment or school status of graduates: 1956 and 1955 . . . . . . .
Employment or school status of June 1956 graduates, by region.
Employment or school status of June 1956 graduates, by marital
status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employment or school status of married women graduates and their
husbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Undergraduate major of June 1956 graduates, by employment or
school status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occupation of employed · graduates: 1956 and 1955. . . . . . .
Teacher training and certification of graduates: 1956 and 1955 .
Date when June 1956 graduates started on first job . . . . . . .
Primary job source of June 1956 graduates in selected occupations . .
Occupation of June 1956 graduates, by undergraduate major.
Teacher training and certification of June 1956 graduates, by
employment or school status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual salary in winter 1956-57 of June 1956 graduates, by
occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual salary in selected occupations, by region of graduates'
employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comparison of graduates' salaries by occupation: 1956 · and 1955 .
Undergraduate major and annual salary of June 1956 graduates .
Comparison of graduates' salaries by undergraduate major: 1956

14
15
16
17

18

19
20

21

22
23
25
26
27
29

33
34

36
37
38

and 195"5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39

Industry of employment and annual salary of · June 1956 graduates.
Future employment plan of June 1956 graduates . . . . . . . . . .

40


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41


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COLLEGE WOMEN GO TO WORK
REPORT ON WOMEN GRADUATES, CLASS OF 1956
Highlights
The favorable employment conditions facing college women in the winter
of 1956-57 were clearly reflected in the 10-percent rise in their starting
salaries over the previous year. The average starting salary was $3,446 per
year for June 1956 graduates, compared with an average of $3,141 for June 1955
graduates 1 a year earlier. This employment and related information was _obtained from college women about 6 months after their graduation, by the
National Vocational Guidance Association in cooperation with the Women's Bureau of the United States Department of Labor. Largest average salary increase
reported by the women graduates of 1956 was over $500 a year-raising the
average starting salary for women chemists to $4,453 a year and for women
mathematicians and statisticians to $4,382 a year. Teachers, predominant
occupational group among women graduates, had an average starting salary of
$3,492-about $300 more than the previous year.

Like their immediate predecessors, virtually all the women graduates from
the class of June 1956 were interested in paid employment, either in the present or in the near future. Seventy-five percent were working full time, 9
percent were attending school full time, and 3 percent were seeking work.
Most of the others were married and did not consider themselves in the labor
market . .About 69 percent of the married graduates were working, however, and
82 percent of those whose husbands were attending school.
The survey showed that most of the employed graduates were in jobs for
which they had received training.

Three-fifths of the women who graduated in

June 1956 had obtained teaching certificates and three-fourths of the certificate holders were teaching in the winter of 1956-57. Other graduates with
jobs directly related to their field of study included nurses, biological
technicians, social and welfare workers, therapists, home economists, dietitians, and chemists.
Education far outranked other subjects as the principal undergraduate
major of the June 1956 women graduates-about 33 percent had majored in education and 3 percent in physical education. Eighteen percent of the graduates
had majored in the humanities and arts, long-time favorites of college women;
1 Employment After College: Report on Women Graduates, Class of 1965. Women's Bureau, 1956.
Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, · D. C.
25 cents.


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- 2 -

and 17 percent in the social sciences. Women graduates with undergraduate
majors in the natural sciences had rather small representation: 3 percent of
the total had majored in biological sciences, 2 percent in the physical
sciences, and 2 percent in mathematics.
Who Were the Graduates Surveyed?

.A total of 5,411 women graduates and 126 colleges and universities participated in this survey conducted in the winter of 1956-57. (See table 1 of
appendix.) About 2 out of 3 women graduates to whom the questionnaire was
sent participated by supplying information about their current employment
status and related activities. The sample group of women were considered to
be representative of the 87,000 who were graduated in June 1956 from women's
and coeducational universities and colleges which granted baccalaureate degrees. 2 The 87,000 figure of June 1956 compares with 81,000 women graduates a
year earlier-an increase of almost 8 percent. It agrees with the prediction
that the numbers of college graduates will continue to rise. A much larger
figure is expected in the 1960' s, when war and postwar babies reach college
age. 8
The typical woman graduate of the class ·o f June 1956 was 22 years old,
single, and employed when surveyed in the winter of 1956-57. In these respects, she bore a strong resemblance to the June 1955 graduate surveyed a year
earlier. About one-third of the graduates in both classes were married when
the surveys were made, and only a few-about 2 percent-were widowed, separated,
or divorced.
The percentages of married and mature women, however, were slightly higher
this year over last. Those who were 25 years of age and over equaled 14 percent of the 1956 class and 12 percent of the 1955 class. (Table 2.) Similarly,
married women were 37 percent of the recent graduates but 34 percent of the
earlier ones. Whether the slightly larger proportion of married women in the
class of 1956 reflects the age difference or indicates a further increase in
the trend toward earlier marriage is difficult to determine.
In the group of graduates 30 years of age and over (8.6 percent), about
half were 30 to 39 years old, and half were 40 years and over. (Table 3.)
There were relatively more women who were widowed, separated,, or divorced in
the older half of the group and fewer roothers of young children. A majority of .
women in both age groups took teacher training in college and held teaching
2 The sample was selected on a random basis from graduates of representative schools, chosen by
size, type, and region. The exclusion of women who were graduated from men's colleges and women who received their degree in months other than June accounts for the fact that the size of this group is
snaller than the 112,000 women college graduates reported by the U. S. Office of Education for the
school year 1965-66.
8 A survey of June 1957 women graduates is now in process.

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- 3 -

jobs in the winter of 1956-57-with the proportion of the teaching group
larger among the women 40 years of age and over.
Degrees secured by the June 1956 women graduates included the Bachelor of
Science (51 percent), the Bachelor of Arts (44 percent), and other baccalaureate
degrees ( 5 percent). .As had been true for the June 1955 graduates, undergraduate majors covered many fields but were concentrated on subjects customarily popular with women. About 33 percent of the June 1956 graduates had
majored in education ' and 3 percent in physical education. (Table 4. ) The
humanities accounted for 18 percent of the majors: English-8 percent; art
and foreign languages-each 3 percent; and music and speech-each 2 percent.
The social science majors were also a relatively large group (17 percent):
history, psychology, and sociology-each 4 percent; and other social sciences5 percent. Relatively few women graduates had majored in the natural sciences:
biological sciences-3 percent; physical sciences and mathematics-each 2 percent. Fewer than 1 percent had received degrees in law or engineering.
What Were the Recent Graduates Doing?

Of every 100 women graduates in the class of June 1956, 75 were employed
full time about 6 months after graduation, 9 were attending school full time,
5 were employed and/or attending school part time, 3 were seeking work, and
8 were not in the labor market. (Table 5.) The relative importance of these
activities-with the predominance of full-time paid employment-was highly
similar for the 1955 and 1956 graduates.
Variations in current activities existed, however, among the regions
where the 1956 graduates were living about 6 months after graduation. (Table
6.) The Northeast had a higher proportion of those who were both employed
and attending school (16 percent) than any other region. The percentage of
graduates attending school full time was relatively highest in the West
(11 percent) and lowest in the South (5 percent). Among the small group of
graduates living outside continental United States, over one-fourth were
attending school only and another fourth were out of the labor market-possibly
because of the limited employment opportunities open to them.
Of the married graduates, 69 percent were working. (Table 7.) Lowest
percentages of working wives were found among married women with young children (36 percent) and those with husbands in service (56 percent). In contrast, 82 percent of the married women whose husbands were attending school
were reported to be working. (Table 8.)
4 Refers only to graduates who reported educat i on as their major; does no t include about 25
percent of the graduates with a subject-matter major who were also qualified to t each.

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- 4 -

The percentage of graduates attending school full time (9 percent) was
slightly below that of part-time students (10 percent). In both groups, education led the list as the principal subject of study. However, it was
reported by only half as many full-time students (17 percent) as part-time
ones (38 percent). Other fields pursued by 5 percent or more of the full-time
students were: Health, business and commerce, sociology and social work, home
economics, English, and music.
Full-time school attendance bore some relationship to undergraduate
major. Fairly high percentages of ·the physical science majors (31 percent)
and biological science majors (28 percent) attended school full time. (Table
9.) In addition, there were relatively large percentages of graduate students
among the majors in music (25 percent), psychology (20 percent), and foreign
languages (18 percent). On the other hand, there were very small percentages
of full-time students among the graduates with majors in: nursing (2 percent),
business and commerce (3 percent), and education (4 percent) .
.About three-fifths of the full-time students were candidates for a master's degree and a few (6 percent), for a doctorate. Most of the others were
studying for a certificate in health services or teaching. Almost 30 percent
of the women graduate students received scholarships-averaging about $950 a
year. Half as many ( 16 percent) were graduate assistants and earned $1, 200 on
the average. Two-fifths of the part-time students were working toward a master's degree and almost one-fifth toward a teaching or other certificate; most
of the remainder indicated they were not candidates for any degree or certificate. Of the recent graduates not attending school in the winter of 1956-57,
almost two-thirds indicated they hoped to do graduate work in the future.
w_hat Kinds of Jobs Did They Get?

Approximately 6 months after graduation, about 80 percent of the 70,000
employed women graduates had obtained professional positions, 16 percent had
clerical jobs, and the others were doing miscellaneous work, mainly in a service or managerial capacity. The leading occupation-traditionally the favorite
with college women-was teaching; this accounted for 41,000 (59 percent) of the
employed graduates. (Table 10.) Only four other specific occupations employed
at least 1,000 graduates: 4,400 secretaries and stenographers (6 percent);
3,500 nurses (5 percent); 2,100 biological technicians (3 percent); and 1,500
social and welfare workers (2 percent). The remaining graduates (25 percent)
were performing a wide variety of work and held such rather unusual jobs for
women as patent attorney trainee, hydraulic engineer, policewoman, assistant
account executive (advertising), loftsman, and foreign business specialist in
a bank.

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- 5 -

The types of jobs secured by the 1956 women graduates were similar to
those reported a year earlier by the 1955 graduates. The same five occupations accounted for at least three-fourths of the employed graduates in both
groups surveyed. The percentages of women reporting training and employment
in the teaching field were also similar in both classes: three-fourths had
some teacher training, three-fifths secured a teaching certificate, and threefifths of the employed graduates got teaching jobs. Since the size of the
graduating class represented by the survey increased in 1956 over 1955, the
number of women graduates entering the teaching field rose 4 percent-to about
41,000 in the winter of 1956-57. Within this group, there was a small_but
noticeable drop in grade-school teachers and an increase in junior-high-school
teachers. This kind of change also corresponded to the types of teaching
certificates issued to the 1956 graduates. (Table 11.)
Fully four-fifths of the employed women graduates said that the job they
held when surveyed in the winter 1956-57 was their first since graduation.
The majority of this group did not start on their first (present) job until
the fall of 1956. (Table 12.) Almost one-fifth either started in June 1956
or already held their "present" job; another one~fifth started in July or
August; one-half in September; and most of the remainder in October or November.
When questioned where they had first learned about their job, approximately three-tenths of the 1956 graduates named their school placement bureau.
(Table 13.) Principal types of respondents in this group were the assistant
buyers and retail store trainees; research workers; artists, musicians, and
actresses; dietitians; recreation workers; and teachers. Major help in
locating jobs came from the family or friends of the following groups:
Religious workers, librarians, and bookkeepers and accounting clerks. More
graduates in clerical jobs than any other type secured work through a private
or public employment service or an advertisement in a newspaper or magazine.
Almost half of the 1956 graduates listed "direct application on own" as their
primary job source.
Most of the graduates were generally pleased with their first job, as
these favorable answers show:
Percent

"Yes"
Is it the type of job hoped for?------Does job provide a step forward?------ Does it meet economic needs?----------Does it relate to college major?-------

85
90
81
84

These responses were almost identical to the ones given by women graduates
surveyed a year previously.
462 643 0 - 58 - Z


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- 6 -

The small proportion (15 percent) of graduates not employed in the type
of work hoped for, gave the following reasons for accepting their present
jobs:
Percent
Financ i al reasons--------------------Good experience or opportunity-------Good location or hours---------------Best job available-------------------Only job available-------------------Temporary or part-time work----------Interesting work---------------------Other reasons-------------------------

29
18
15
10
8
6
5
9

Many graduates not satisfied with their present jobs said that they were
interested in teaching. Actually some were teaching already-but not in the
subject or location preferred. Other small but relatively significant groups
wished they were employed in the fieids of journalism, social work, health
services, home economics, and personnel.
Were First Jobs and College Majors Related?

Most of the graduates reported employment in fields for which they had
been trained. This supports the opinion of more than four-fifths of the employed graduates that their present job and college major were related. Teaching, the predominant occupation, attracted almost nine-tenths of the education
majors who were employed. (Table 14.) Also engaged in teaching were a majority of the employed graduates who had majored in physical education, music,
English, hi8tory, foreign languages, home economics, and mathematics; and onethird or more of those in social sciences, speech and dramatic art, psychology,
and art .
.Among other groups of employed graduates with a strong relationship
between their academic education and vocational pursuits were: nursing majorswith 99 percent employed as nurses; other health majors-with 50 percent employed as biological technicians and 35 percent as therapists; and physical
science majors-with 33 percent employed as chemists and 31 per~ent as biological technicians. In addition, among other employed graduates, 51 percent
of the biological science majors became biological technicians; 47 percent of
the journalism majors became editors, copywriters, or reporters; 44 percent
of the business and commerce majors became secretaries or stenographers and
28 percent, other types of clerical workers; 31 percent of the sociology and
social-work majors became social or welfare workers; and 23 percent of the
home-economics majors became dietitians or home economists.


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- 7 -

Of particular interest to those seeking ways to staff the Nation's expanding school system is the· fact that 75 percent of the June 1956 women
graduates holding teaching certificates were teaching in the winter of 1956-57.
(Table 15.) .About 11 percent accepted other jobs and 6 percent were not in
the labor market. The remainder were either attending school or seeking
work. A relatively higher proportion of those trained in elementary education
were employed in the teaching profession than were those trained in secondary
education.
Teaching certificates were obtained by almost 52,000 (60 percent) of the
graduates. About three-fifths of the certificate holders were entitled to
teach in elementary schools and one-half, in secondary schools. (These
figures include some graduates who held certificates for both types of school&)
Four out of five of the certificates covered only one State and most of the
remainder, two States. Many of the 25,500 women graduates with secondary
sohool certificates were qualified to teach several subjects. These subjects
and the percentages certified to teach them follow:
Percent
English-----------------Social sciences---------Fine arts---------------Home economics----------Natural sciences--------Business education-------

35
25
21
20

17
15

Percent
History-----------~--Physical education---Modern languages-----Mathematics----------Other-----------------

13
11
10
7
2

A major difference between the 1956 and 1955 women graduates is in the
increased proportions of 1956 graduates entitled to teach subjects in the
social sciences and the natural sciences. This is particularly notable because of the current demand for more science teachers in our Nation's high
schools.
Subjects which the 14,200 secondary school teachers (among the June 1956
_women graduates) were teaching in the winter of 1956-57 and percentages reporting each subject follow: English-31 percent; home economics-23 percent;
fine _arts-17 percent; physical education and social sciences-each 13 percent;
natural sciences-12 percent; mathematics-11 percent; history and business
education-each 9 percent; and languages-6 percent.
The 25,375 elementary school teachers among the June 1956 women graduates
comprised about three-fifths of the employed women graduates who were teachers.
Percentages of elementary school teachers in each grade follow:


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- 8 Percent
Kindergarten-----------First------------------Second----------- - -----Third----------------- - -

8
22

26

Percent
Fourth-------------Fifth---------------Sixth---------------

24
18

13

25

How Much did the Graduates Earn?

average of $3,446 a year was earned by the June 1956 women graduates
who were employed full time about 6 months after graduation. A year earlier
the average for June 1955 women graduates was $3,141 a year. More than onefifth of the 1956 graduates earned at least $4,000 a year and one-fifth, under
$3,000. (Table 16.) In addition to the relatively well-paid women chemists
($4,453) and the women mathematicians and statisticians ($4,382), other groups
whose average salaries were high included the research workers ($3,819), home
economists ($3,803), therapists ($3,733), nurses 5 ($3,647), and recreation
workers ($3,571). Although the first-year earnings for teachers ($3,492) were
below these groups, they compared favorably with social and welfare workers
($3,440), dietitians ($3,351), librarians ($3,339), and editors, copywriters,
and reporters ($3,120). Those averaging less than $3,000 a year were: sales
clerks and miscellaneous retail workers ($2,504), typists ($2,912), and
library assistants and religious workers (each-$2,960).
An

Starting salaries of the 1956 graduates were generally highest in the West ($3,803) and lowest in the South ($3,073). (Table 17.) Between the
other two principal regions of the United States, average first-year earnings
were higher in the North Central Region than in the Northeast for teachers,
biological technicians, social and welfare workers, and therapists, but higher
in the Northeast than in the North Central Region for secretaries and stenographers and for nurses.
In half the occupational groups reported, the starting salaries of women
graduates averaged between $208 and $367 a year higher than in 1955. (Table
18.) Above-average increases were received not only by chemists, mathematicians, and statisticians but also by biological technicians and professional
workers not elsewhere classified. Jobs for which starting salaries increased
relatively little were those of sales clerks and miscellaneous retail workers;
editors, copywriters, and reporters; and recreation, religious, social, and
welfare workers.
College women who had majored in the science and health fields tended to
receive the best starting salaries (when considered in terms of the women's
5 Refers only to degree-holding nurses

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- 9 -

undergraduate majors). Highest annual averages, in descending order, were
reported by those who had majored in: Physical sciences ($4,100), mathematics
($3,747), health fields ($3,612), nursing ($3,598), psychology ($3,578),
education ($3,492), and biological sciences ($3,473). (Table 19.) Among
these groups, salary increases over last year were above average for the
physical and biological science majors, mathematics majors, and psychology
majors. (Table 20.) Other groups with salary increases exceeding the 10 percent average included many which had the lowest rates the previous year,
namely, those who had majored in art, foreign languages, English, speech and
dramatic art, home economics, music, and history.
Companies paying women college graduates the highest starting salaries
were those engaged in manufacturin~ ($3,684); they employed, however, less
than one-tenth of the recent women graduates. (Table 21.) Next highest
salaries were received by graduates working for various types of government
agencies ($3,613)-also a relatively small group. The largest group-almost
two-thirds of the total-were employed by educational services and averaged
$3,468 a year. Those engaged in medical services averaged $3,464 and those
in other nonmanufacturing industries, $3, 158.
Comments by the Graduates
/

When questioned concerning their future employment plans, most of the
graduates indicated they were thinking in terms of work but only 22 percent
were planning to have a career . .Another 20 percent expected they might work
indefinitely or when necessary but had no interest in a career. Fully 55
percent were planning to leave the labor market when marriage or family
responsibilities intervened: 5 percent when they became married, 16 percent a
short while after marriage, and 34 percent when they had children. (Table
22.)

The graduates viewed their college careers as preparation for other
aspects of life in addition to employment. More than nine-tenths of those
offering an opinion thought their college experiences helpful in their role
as housewife or mother. Three-fifths were active members of some organized
group and one-fifth of these were offi cers. Organizations named most frequently were professional societies related to their work (named by 35 percent
of all the graduates), social or recreational clubs (by 24 percent), educational and cultural groups (by 19 percent), and social-service or communitywelfare activities (by 16 percent).
Comments of the women graduates on "ways in which your college work might
have been made more valuable" reflected the continuing debate on the purpose
and value of a college education. Some felt they had not been adequately

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- 10 -

prepared to enter the labor market and support themselves after graduation,
while others emphasized the need for more liberal-arts courses to develop
intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.
Typical comments made by the graduates on the subject of vocational
guidance, counseling, or placement -follow:
"I think that a short course should be given to all freshmen on the types of jobs the various majors prepare one
for. Also, all seniors should be completely informed
early in their senior year of the services of the placement bureau."
" ... freshmen should be better instructed in the possibilities of all fields. Not a painted picture, but a realistic one."
"The Army has vocational and apti t ude tests such as should
be given college freshmen. The results should be a guide
to the freshmen when they choose their major."
" ... career counseling should be a vital part of the students'
4 years, along with closer alliances between job requirements
and academic requirements."
~More guidance in college for job opportunities ... what a
girl can do with a college degree if she doesn't want to
teach."
" ... a big help to be able to talk to representatives of
various professions-To women who ... had experience in the
profession."
"More field work earlier in college career. I realized that
I was in the wrong field the last of my junior year-a little too late to change."
"I feel the college should do a bit more for its students
after graduation-if it takes so much time, effort, and
money to prepare a candidate witb an adequate education, it
should take a little effort in giving her a slight push in
the right direction."
" ••• my philosophy degree was a fair education but I am disillusioned at claims that a well-rounded liberal-arts education is all you really need."

On the other hand, graduates who were concerned that the increased amount
of time given to vocational training was affecting the quality of basic education in college offered these thoughts:
" ... a college education should be looked upon not as a means
of increasing your earning power, but as a means of increasing

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-11-

your happiness power or, more simply, your ability to
live and adjust satisfactorily in an unstable world~"
" ... my college work might have been made more valuable by
dwelling longer on each topic of a course as it came up
so that deeper insight would be obtained and a firmer
background built up."

" ... requirements, particularly in the line of reading material related to the subject which was being covered, could
have been more extensive and exacting than they were."
" ... a tougher attitude of the college toward English, but
a lessening of the ghastly load of oddly assorted requirements."
" ... more emphasis placed on the liberal arts and ... on doing
individual, original work."
" ... more coordination of subjects in the liberal-arts programs ... to make for a better understanding of specific
topics as a whole."
It was interesting that numerous graduates now thought they should have
been required to take certain courses or follow specified procedures. Miscellaneous remarks, some of which reflect this feeling, follow:
" ... reading course should be required of all English
majors and minors who take education."
"I believe all colleges should insist upon every woman
having secretarial training."
"I think that all girls ... should take some cooking,
sewing, and child-care courses."
"Every person ... needs to know about wills, mortgages, and
taxes."
"I do wish that there had been enough foresight on my
part to have gotten a teacher's certificate before I
graduated. In fact, I feel that everyone should take
enough education courses to qualify as a teacher whether
·
she plans to teach or not."
"In the field of education, I feel that more ... student
teaching would have been valuable, \\Orking in a real
classroom situation with real problems."
"I found our experimental student teacher-critic teacher
program, called the double-room program, much more helpful than plain student teaching."
"Regarding education courses ... less theory and more practical work."

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

- 12 -

" ... I believe that I had a great advantage in going to
college later in life. I probably got twice as much out
of everything as the youngsters right out of high school."
"I wish ... that courses and degrees could be designed
specifically for mature students."
" ... as a (medical technology) student, I didn't have
enough opportunity to take courses outside the field of
science."
"It is truly unfortunate that the colleges of today are
unable to provide a combination degree offering the
liberal arts and technical skills."
"I feel that ... program of cooperative education was of
greatest value to me in my college career. Seeing the
field you plan to work in while you are still studying
makes class work seem more realistic and comprehendible."
"I feel that my college work would have been of more
practical benefit if there ~ad been more flexibleness
in choice of subjects to fit my individual needs."
In Conclusion

These comments on the value of a college education might be viewed simply
as the kind of diverse opinions to be expected from a group of young college
women. In a broader sense, however, they provide helpful insight into some
of the problems young women encounter today. For their future roles as housewives and mothers, they feel the need for training in homemaking activities,
family life, and child care. Most of them also hope to obtain vocational
preparation in college, since virtually all expect to seek paid employment at
some period during their lifetime. And for their third major role-as citizens of both their country and of the world-they look to the colleges for help
in understanding their status and responsibilities. Thus, for each one, there
is the problem of selecting courses of study which balance social needs with
individual interests and abilities.
Interest in women's education and training extends beyond the growing
number of college-educated women in our country to all who are concerned with
development of the Nation's skilled manpower and continuation of its economic
growth. Women represent almost one-third of our Nation's workers today and
will probably form a larger proportion of the additional labor force needed in
the next decade. Guidance and counseling information and services, therefore,
become increasingly important in providing the basis from which young women in
schools and colleges can decide how best to satisfy their personal interests
and make their maximum contribution to the expanding labor requirements of
our Nation.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

- 13 -

APPENDIX • GEN.ERAL TABLES

Note 1:

Survey included only colleges and universities
granting bachelor's degrees and classified as
women's schools or coeducational.

Note 2:

Due to rounding, percentages in these tables
may not add to 100.

462643 0 - 58 - 3


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Table 1.-Numbers of Graduates and Schools Included in Survey of June 1956
Women College Graduates
TOTAL REPRESENTED

SURVEY PARTICIPANTS

ITEM
NUMBER

WOMEN GRADUATES (total)-----------------------

PERCENT

NUMBER

PERCENT

87,234

100

24,023
22,777
27,547
12,887

28
26
32
15

1,501
1,314
1,264
1·, 332

28
24
23
25

9,643
13,468
33,527
20,512
10,084

11

15
38
24
12

568
1,058
2,064
1,179
542

10
20
38
22
10

-------------------

1,022

100

126

100

By number of women graduates:
500 and over- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 250 to 499- - - - - .- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 100 to 24 9 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50 to 99------------------------------Under 50 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

13
43
203
279
484

1
4
20
27
47

10
19
38
25
34

8
15
30
20
27

100

By region of school:

Northeast-----------------------------North Central-------------------------Sou th- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ... - .. - .....
West- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..... - - - . _....
By size of school (number of women

graduates):
500 and over - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 250 to 499- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 100 to 24 9 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50 to 99 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Under 50 - - -· - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COLLEGES AND UN IVERSITIES 1

1

.,_

Covers colleges and universities granting bachelor's degrees and classified as women's schools or coeducational.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

~

Table 2.-Age and Marital Status of Graduates: 1956 and 1955
JUNE l 956

JUNE 1955

AGE AND MARITAL STATUS

NUMBER

Graduates represented------------- 7 ----------Under 21 years---------------------------21 years---------------------------------22 years---------------------------------23 and 24 years--------------------------25 to 29 years-------- - ------------------30 years and over-------------------------

PERCENT

NUMBER

PERCENT

87,058

100

80,588

100

1,488
15,120

2
1 '7

1,841
17,978
39,817
11,884
3,172
8,494

~-------+--------+---------.1--------45,498

13,258
4,225
7,_493

52
15
5
9

2

22
49
15
4
8

.....

01

B. Marital Status
Graduates represented-------------------------

87,172

100

80,988

100

Single-----------------------------------Married----------------------------------With children---------------------------Under e years 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ___ - - ____ _
6 to 17 years--------------------------With no children------------------------Widowed, separated, divorced--------------

53,333
31,989
7,984
5,430
2,554
23,985
1,870

81
37

51,911
27,478
5,793
3,386
2,427
21,885
1,577

84

1 Includes graduates who also had children 6 to 17 years of age.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

9

e
3

28
2

34
7
4
3

27
2

Table 3.-Marital Status of June 1956 Graduates, by Age
TOTAL
AGE
NUMBER

PERCENT

Graduates represented 2 - - 87,042
Percent---------

SINGLE

TOTAL

53,309 31,876
100

61

MARITAL STATUS
WIDOWED, SEPARATED OR DIVORCED
MARRIED
WITH
WITH
WITH CHILDREN
WITH
NO
6 TO
NO
TOTAL
UNDER
CHfLDREN
6 YEARS 1 17 YEARS CHILDREN
CHILDREN

5,430

2,554

23,892

1,857

851

1,006

6

3

27

2

1

1

37

Percent distribution
Total----------Under 21 years----------- 1,468
21 years----------------- 15,104
22 years----------------- 45,496
23 and 24 years---------- 13,256
25 to 29 years----------- 4,225
30 to 39 years----------- 3,703
40 years and over-------- 3,790

100

100

2
17
52
15

2

19
57

47
15
5
8
8

33
24
15
13
2

5

4
4

16

4
2
1

100

100

100

100

100

100

2

1

2
19
55
14
3
2
5

---- -

-- -

11

-- -- - --

---

16

100

1
Includes graduates who also had children 6 to 17 years of age.
2
Excludes graduates who did not report age and/or marital status.
* Less than 1 percent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

*

5
47
47

1

2
7
26
19
45

2
9
35
25
29

1
3
5
18
14
58

Table 4.-Undergraduate Major of Graduates: 1956 and 1955
JUNE J 956

JUNE 1955

UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR
NUMBER

PERCENT

NUMBER

PERCENT

Graduates represented--------------

88,042

100.0

'78,819

100.0

Art--------------------------------

2,429
2,'791
4, H58
28,555
6,548
1,192
3,269
7,808
'759
2,156
1,816
2,093
3,286
2,370
1,541
3,013
4,304
3,524
1,819
2,833

2.8
3.2
4.8
33.2
'7.8
1.4
3.8
9.1
0.9
2.5
2.1
2.4
3.8
2.8
1.8
3.5

2,118
2,521
3,495
2'7,440
'7, 69'7
1,3'71
2,113
6,155
958
1,835
1,345
2,434
2,853
2,39'7
1,392
2,352
3,200
3,631
1,630
2,084

2. '7
3.2
4.4
34.8
9.8

Biological sciences---------------Business and commerce----------- - -Education-------------------------English---------------------------1
Health fields -------------------History---------------------------Home economics--------------------Journalism---- - -------------------Languages, foreign----------------Mathematics-----------------------Music--------------,--------------Nursing---------------------------Physical education----------------Physical sciences-----------------Psychology------------------------Social sciences 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sociology and social work---------Speech and dramatic art-----------0ther majors------------·----------

1 Excludes nursing.
2 Excludes (al history and (bl sociology and social work.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

5.0
4.1
1.9
3.3

1. '7

2. '7
7.8
1.2
2.3
1. '7
3.1
3.4
3.0
1.8
3.0
4.1
4.8
2.1
2.6

.....

-J

Table 5.-Employment or School Status of Graduates: 1956 and 1955
JUNE

1956

JUNE

t955

EMPLOYMENT OR SCHOOL STATUS
NUMBER

PERCENT

NUMBER

PERCENT

Graduates represented------------·------·

87,183

100

80,852

100

Employed only---------------------·-----Full time------------------·----------Part time-------------·-·-----·--·-----

80,978
58,748
2,232

70
87
3

57,923
55,484
_2,459

71
e0
3

Employed and attending school-----------Employed full time, school part time--Employed part time, school part time--School full time, employed part time---

9,251
7,284
497
1,470

11

7,078
5,986
485
82'7

9
'7
1
1

Attending school only----------------··-·
Full time--------·-------------··-----·
Part time--------------------------·---

'7,045
5,933
1,112

9

8
8

1

e,e1e
8,428
389

Seeking work----------------------------Not seeking work-------------------------

2,523
7,388

3
9

2,918

e, 119

4
8

*

Less than 1 percent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

8
1
2

'7

*

1--4
~

Table 6.-Employm.ent or School Status of June 1956 Graduates, by Region
REGION WHERE LIVING IN 1956- 57

TOTAL
EMPLOYMENT OR SCHOOL STATUS
NUMBER

Graduates represented---------------------

PERCENT

8'7,183
100

Percent---------------------------

NORTHEAST

NORTH
CENTRAL

SOUTH

WEST

25,248

21,436

25,222

14,359

918

29

25

29

16

1

OTHER 1

Percent distribution
Total--------------~--------------

100

100

100

100

100

100

66
84

69
67
2

7'7
74
3

68
65
3

36
33
3

4

11

3

3

8

3

3

--27
23

Employed only----------------------------Full time---- - -------------------------Part time-------------------------------

60,9'78
58, '746
2,232

70
67
3

Employed and attending school---- - ---- - --Employed full time, school part time---Employed part time, school part time---School full time, employed part time----

9,251
7,284
497
1,. 470

11

16

8
1
2

14
1

13
9
1

1

3

*
*

Attending school only--------------------Full time------------------------------Part time-------------------------------

7,045
5,933
1,112

8
7
1

10

7
6
1

5

9

5
1

8
1

Seeking work-------------~---- - ----------Not seeking work-------------------- - -----

2,523
7,386

3

1

3

5

6

6

8

9

3
10

1

*

Outside continen taL United States.
Less than 1 percent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

2

6
2

*

3

4

8
25

Table 7.-Employment or School Status of June 1956 Graduates, by Marital Status
TOTAL
EMPLOYMENT OR
SCHOOL STATUS

· NUMBER

PER- SINGLE
CENT

Graduates represented 2 - - 87,154

TOTAL

53,333 31,951

MARITAL STATUS
WIDOWED, SEPARATED OR DIVORCED
MARRIED
WITH
WITH CHILDREN
WITH
WITH
6 TO 17
NO
UNDER
NO
TOTAL
CHILDREN
6 YEARS 1
CHILDREN
CHILDREN
YEARS

5,430

2,570

23,951

1,870

851

1,019

Percent distribution
100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

70
67
3

73
72
1

64
59
5

34
26
8

76
70
6

70
66
4

70
69
1

66
66

---

72
70
2

9,251

11

14

5

2

8

6

16

14

18

7,284

8

11

4

2

7

5

12

11

13

1

1

3

---

Total---------------Employed only------------ 60,949
Full time-------------- 58,717
Part time-------------- 2,232
Employed and attending
school-----------------Employed full time,
school part time-----Employed part time,
school part time-----School full time,
employed part time----

497

1

1

*

*

1,470

2

2

*

-- -

1

1

3

-- -

5

Attending school only---Full time-------------Part time--------------

7,045
5,933
1,112

8
7
1

5
2

4
2
1

7
7

12
12

4
4

- --

-- -

---

Seeking work------------Not seeking work---------

2,523
7,386

3

2

4
3

6

1

4
16

2

8

-

11

9
1

*

4
2
2

2

7
4
3

5
21

8
52

5
4

1 Includes graduates who also had children 6 to 17 years of age.
2
Excludes graduates -who did not report employment or school status and/or marital status.
* Less than 1 percent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6

*

Table 8.-Employment or School Status of Married Women Graduates, Class of June 1956,
and Their Husbands
TOTAL

STATUS OF HUSBAND

STATUS OF MARRIED WOMEN GRADUATES
NUMBER

Married graduates represented

1

------- - --

PERCENT

31,'783

100

Percent----------·---------

EMPLOYED

IN
ATTENDING
MILITARY
SCHOOL
SERVICE

NOT
WORKING

18,075

8,092

5,286

330

57

25

1'7

1

Percent distribution

Total---------------------2

100

100

100

100

100

- --- -- -- -- - -- -- -- - -- -- - -- - -- - - -

21,994

69

67

82

56

91

Attending school 3 -----------------------

1,435

5

5

5

2

8

Seeking work- -·- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - • - - - - -

1,54'7

5

5

3

9

---

Not seeking work---------------------···-

8,807

21

23

10

34

1

Employed

1 Excludes married women graduates who did not report their own and/or their husband's status.
2 Includes graduates who are employed and attending school part time.
3 Includes graduates attending school full time and employed part time.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

t,..:>

......

Table 9.-Undergarduate Major of June 1956 Graduates, by Employment or School Status
TOTAL
NUMBER

ATTENDING
SCHOOL 2

Graduates represented 3

-----------------

€37, 970

8,478

2,403

7,140

100

79

10

3

8

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

70
67

12
28
3
4
13
7
14
10
10
18
6
25
2

2
3
3
2
2
5
2
4

18

85,991

Percent----------------- ~--------

Art------------------------------------Biological sciences--------------------Business and commerce - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Education-----------~------------------English--------------------------------Heal th fields -'_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - History--------------------------------Home economics-------------------------Journalism-----------------------------Languages, foreign---------------------Mathematics----------------------------Music----------------------------------Nursing--------------------: ____________
Physical ~ducation---------------------Physical sciences--- - ------------------Psychology --------·--- - ----------------- Social sciences 5- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "'. - - - - - - Sociology and social work--------- - ----Speech and dramatic art----------------Other majors - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Includes
2
Includes
3 Excludes
4 Excludes
5 Excludes


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

PERCENT

2,429
2,791
4,15€3
28,555
6,548
1,.192
3,269
7,808
759
2,15€3
1,816
2,093
3,266
2,370
1,541
2,998
4,285
3,524
1,602
2,833

84

89
73
77
74
72
83
74
84
70
91
85
64
64

72
86
71
73

e
31
20
14
14

13
15

graduates who are employed and attending school part time.
graduates at.tending school full time and employed part time.

graduates who did not report their undergraduate major and/or employment or school status.
nursing.
la) history (bl sociology and social work.

SEEKING
WORK

NOT
SEEKING
WORK

EMPLOYED 1

UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR

- -1
3
1
2
4
1
4
6
6
6

4

3
11

5
12
11
9
14
7
7
7
4

5
5
4
12
8
14
10
9

Table 10.-0ccupation of Employed Graduates: 1956 and 1955
J UNE 1956

JUNE 19 55

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
NUM BER

PERCENT

NUMBER

P ERCENT

Graduates represented---------------------------

70,043

100 . 0

64 , 752

100.0

AdvertisinQ and editorial assistants------------

833
335
459
624
817
397
3,389
698
740
758
441
436
6 454
3,504
551
1,707
480
699
493
628
4,391

0. 9
0. 5
0. 7
0.9
1.2
0. 6
4.8
1.0
1.1
1.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
5.0
0. 8
2. 4
0.7
1.0
0.7
0. 9
6.3
2.2
58 . 7
36.2
8.6
13.6
2.2

Airline hostesses, reservation clerks
Artists, musicians, actresses------------------Assistant buyers, store trainees--------------Bookkeepers, accounting clerks-----------------Chemists------------------------------ - --------Clerical workers, miscellaneous----------------Dietitians---------------- -- - - -----------------Editors, copywriters, reporters----------------Home economists------------------- - ------------Librarians------------------ - ------------- - ----Library assistants -- --------- - -- -- -------------Mathematicians, statisticians------------------Nurses---------------------------------- - ------Personnel assistants-----·---------------------Professional workers, miscellaneous------·-----Recreation workers-----------------------------Religious workers----------- - ------------- - -- - -Research workers-------------------------------Salesclerka, miscellaneous retail workers------Secretaries, stenographers-- ~------------------Social and welfare workers------------------- - -·
Teachers---------------------------------------Grade school---------- - --------- - ----------Junior high school-------------------------8
High school -------------------------------0ther---------------------------------------

See footnotes at end of table.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1,541

41,133
25,375
4,650
9,543
1,565

( 1)

( z)
( 3)

914
( 1)

470
'4,120
( 6)

650
887
(8 )

( 1)

449
2,585
( 1)

3,040
7 2,005
( 7)
( 8)

679
4,908
( 7)

39,552
26,637
2 , 791
8,753
1,371

-----

--

1. 4

- -0. 7
6.4

---

1.0
1.4

-----

0.7
4.0

--

4.7
3. 1

---

--

1.0
7.6

---

61 . 1
41.1
4.3
13.5
2. 1

t-.:>
~

Table 10.-0ccupation of Employed Graduates: 1956 and 1955 - Continued
JUNE
OCCUPATIONAL

19 56

JUNE

19 5 5

GROUP

Technicians, biological-----------------------The rap i st s - - - - - - -·- - - - - - - - - - -· - - - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - - Typ i st S- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - •· - - - - - - Other occupations------------------------------

NUMBER

PERCENT

NUMBER

2, 123
881
899
854

3.0
1.2
1. 3
1. 2

1,929

3.0

( 81

---

1, 147
1, 41'7

2.2

PERCENT

1. 8

1 Included in "clerical workers, miscellaneous."
2 Included in "other occupations."
3 Included in "professional workers, miscellaneous."
'Includes bank and insurance workers who did primarily clerical work.
5 Included in "hane economists. "
6
Includes a few natural scientists, who were grouped last year with "professional workers, miscellaneous."
7 A combination job covering "recreation, religious, social, and welfare workers."
8 Includes graduates teaching in both elementary and secondary schools. Reports published last year grouped the canbination
teachers with "other teachers."


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Table 11.-Teacher Trainin~ and Certification of Graduates:
JUNE

1956 and 1955
JUNE 1955

1956

ITEM
NUMBER

PERCENT

NUMBER

PERCENT

Graduates represented 1

88,878

100

79,857

100

Graduates with:
Teacher training, total---------------------Education major------------------------------Education minor------------------------------Some education courses---------------------No education courses--------------------------

85,152
31,291
8,080
25,801
21,524

75
38
9
30
25

59,248
30, 168
4,818
24,260
20,611

74
38
8
30
28

Graduates represented

2

------------------------

Graduates with:
Teacher certificates, total- - --------------Elementary education-----------------------Secondary education-- - - - - - --- - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -Elementary and seco.ndary ------------------Other type of certificate---------------- ~No teaching certificate----------------------

1----...;...---1--------+---.;.._---+------78,638
100
85,955
100
..,..__
...;...___t--------+---.;.._--.....
------51,585
25,835
20,489
4,985
276
34,370

80
30
24

e
*
40

48,387
25,941
18, 263
4,830
1,353
30,251

1 Excludes graduates who did not report whether they had received teacher training.
2 Excludes graduates who did not report whether they had received a teaching certificate.
* Less than 1 percent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

62
33
21
6
2

38

I:'-'
01

Table 12.-Date When June 1956 Graduates Started on First Job
TOTAL
DATE OF STARTING ON FIRST JOB
NUMBER

1

PERCENT

Graduates represented ---~-----------------------

55,319

100

June 1958 or prior-------------------------------

9,655
3,853
7,956
28,116
2,872
1,284
305
1,278

17
7
14
51

July 1958---------------------------------------August 1956-------------------------------------September 1956----------------------------------0ctober 1956------------------------------------November 1956-----------------------------------December 1956-----------------------------------January 1957 or later----------------------------

5

2
1
2

1 Excludes graduates who were no longer employed
on their first job when surveyed in the
winter of 1956-57.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

I
t-.:1
~

Table 13.-Primary Job Source of June 1956 Graduates in Selected Occupations
TOTAL
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
NUMBER

PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES LISTING AS PRIMARY JOB SOURCE-

SCHOOL
PLACE•
MENT
PERCENT
BUREAU

Graduates represented 1 - - - - - - - - - - 89, 135

NEWSPAPER
PR I VAT E PUB L I C
OR
EMPLOY• EMPLOYMAGAZINE
MENT
MENT
ADVERTISESERVICE SERVICE
MENT

FAMILY
OR
FRIEND

DIRECT
APPLICATION
ON
OWN

OTHER

20,139

1,808

1,591

1,938

9,088

33,491

1,082

100

29

3

2

3

13

48

2

821

100

28

28

9

4

14

18

459

100

45

10

18

21

818

100

52

1

3

5

40

'799
397

100
100

8

5

8
12

13

29

20

7

8

38
48

3,283
571

100
100

1'7
37

7
2

7

8

18

740
758
424
438

100
100
100
100

18

8
3

5

27
18

ticians--- -- -------------- ---- -

454

Nurses---------------- ----------Personnel assistants-------------

3,370
551

100
100
100

Percent---------------- ----Advertising and editorial
assistants------------- -------Artists, musicians,
actresses-------------- -------Assistant buyers, store
trainees--------------- -------Bookkeepers, accounting
clerks----------------- -------Chemists--------------- ------~--Clerical workers, miscellaneous---------------- -------Dietitians------------- ---------Editors, copywriters,
reporters-------------- -------Home economists------------ -----Librarians------------ ----------·
Library assistants------------- -Mathematicians, ·statis-

See footnotes at end of table.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

24

28
8
5

3

8

43
54

1

18
19
33

50
4'7
41

8

8

10

55

5

4
2

15

43
78
4'7

*
18

2

3

20

11
8

5

5

1

3

3
10

4
3

Table 13.-Primary Job Source of June 1956 Graduates in Selected Occupations - Continued
PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES LISTING AS PRIMARY JOB SOURCE-

TOTAL
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
NUMBER

Professional workers,
miscellaneous-----------------Recreation workers--------------Religious workers---------------Research workers----------------Salesclerks, retail
workers-----------------------Secretaries, stenographers------Social and welfare workers------Teachers------------------------Grade school---------------Junior high sch.col- - - - - - - - - High school 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Other----------------------Technicians, biological---------Therapists- -- - - - - - - - - - - - ---- - - - - - Typists-------------------------Other occupations--------------- ~

SCHOOL
PLACEPERCENT
MENT
BU REAU

1,672
480
699
481

100
100
100
100

582
4,329
1,541
40,852
25,210
4,643
9,497
1,502
2,082
848
899
3
1,189

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

32

36
29
47

8

100

18
12
36
30
38
52
28
21
27

100
100

14
8

NEWSPAPER
PR I VAT E PUB L I C
0R
FAM I LY
EMPLOY- EMPLOY- MAGAZINE
OR
MENT
MENT
ADVERTISE- FRIEND
SERVICE SERVICE
MENT

6
4
4

10
12
2

*
*
1
1
3

2

4

9
8
1
1
1
1
6
2

4

9

12

16
23
11

6
4
1

*
*
2
3
4
2

4
6

16

29
39

9
3

1
Excludes graduates who did not report occupation and/or primary job source.
2 Includes graduates teaching in both elementary and secondary schools.
3
Includes airline hostesses and reservation clerks, who are listed separately on table 10.
* Less than 1 percent.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

4

30
12

10

DIRECT
APPL I CATION
ON
OWN

38
35
19
26

54
31
63

9

50
58

11

49

11

32

29

33
50
49
30
58

18

19
14
12

OTHER

2

9
6

1
1
1
1
1

1
2
2
3

1

Table 14.-0ccupation of June 1956 Graduates, by Undergraduate Major
TOTAL

PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES WITH UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR IN-

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

NUMBER PERCENT

Employed graduates represented 1 -----Percent- --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Advertising and editorial assistants- Airline hostesses, reservation clerksArtists, musicians, actresses--------Assistant buyers, store trainees-----Bookkeepers, accounting clerks-------Chemists-----------------------------Clerical workers, miscellaneous------Dietitians---------------------------Editors, copywriters, reporters------Home economists----------------------Librarians---------------------------Library assistants-------------------Mathematicians, statisticians--------Nurses-------------------------------Personnel assistants-----------------Professional workers, miscellaneous--Recreation workers-------------------Religious workers--------------------Research workers---------------------Salesclerks, retail workers----------Secretaries, stenographers-----------Social and welfare workers-----------Teachers------------------- -- --- -- ---Grade school - - - ------------------Junior high school---------------2
High school ---------------------Other----------------------------Technicians, biological--------------Therapists------------- - -------------Typists------------------------------ Other occupations------------ - --------

See footnotes at end o! table.

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

ART

BlOLOGICAL
SCIENCES

BUSINESS
AND
COMMERCE

EDUCATION

ENGL I SH

69,282
1,'791
1,957
3,468
25,615
4,846
i-----;--1_0_0_+-__1_0_0--+-___1_0_0_ __,1----l--=-O--=-O---+_ _ _l_O.. .:.O_ _,____l_O..:..O_ _
633
1
3
--2
*
4
335
*
1
----*
*
*
447
1
13
--*
*
8
*
624
1
2
1
11
795
1
1
*
2
397
1
10
2
11
12
3,348
5
898
1
4
2
1
*
740
1
*
'758
1
1
*
441
1
2
1
1
1
*
438
1
5
*
454
1
1
1
3,519
5
2
1
*
551
1
1
4
12
1,707
2
*
1
1
*
480
1
1
1
*
699
1
1
*
*
478
1
1
1
3
5
*
628
1
8
3
44
2
4
4,299
8
2
1
1
*
1,501
2
*34
80
88
8
29
40,818
59
24
73
1
8
17
24,984
38
18
3
5
8
*
4,807
7
10
19
8
15
7
9,473
14
1
2
2
2
*
1,552
2
*
51
*
1
2,123
3
1
2
1
848
1
1
1
1
3
*
888
1
1
3
*
5
4
843
1

Table 14.-0ccupation of June 1966 Graduates, by Undergraduate Major - Continued
PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES WITH UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

HEAL TH
FIELDS3 HfSTORY

HOME
ECONOMICS

IN•-

JOURNALISM LANGUAGES, MATHEMATICS MUSIC
FOREIGN

Employed graduates represented 1 --------

960

2,465

5,963

839

1,577

1,537

1,588

Percent----------------------

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Advertising and editorial assistants---Airline hostesses, reservation clerks--Artists, musicians, actresses----------Assistant buyers, store trainees-------Bookkeepers, accounting clerks---------Chemists-------------------------------Clerical workers, miscellaneous--------Dietitians-----------------------------Editors, copywriters, reporters--------Home economists------------------------Librarians-----------------------------Library assistants---------------------Mathematicians, statisticians----------Nurses---------------------------------Personnel assistants-------------------Professional workers, miscellaneous----Recreation workers---------------------Religious workers----------------------Research workers-----------------------Salesclerks, retail workers------------Secretaries, stenographers-------------Social and welfare workers---- - --------Teachers-------------------------------Grade school-----------------------Junior high /Chool-----------------High school ----------------------Other------------------------------Technicians, biological----------------Therapists-----------------------------Typists--------------------------------Other occupations- - - - - - - - - - - - · - ----- -- - - - -


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
See footnotes at end of table.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1
1

*

2

10

18

*

3

12

1

1

*

3

1
1
3

3
2

5

10

10

8

47

1

1

2

4

11
1
5
1

C,A)

0

14
1

14

1
3
2
1
2

2

*
*
*

2

1
55
7
16

2

9
1

50
35

8

1

11
2

1
1

57
15

52

73
33

8

3
2

59
32
17

17
7

5
2

1
2

8
2
7
7

2
6

29

29

18
32

27

2
3

5

4

11

3

1

1

2

4
3

3

3

4
2

Table 14.-0ccupation of June 1956 Graduates, by Undergraduate Major - Continued
PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES

UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR IN-

WITH

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
NURSING

PHYSICAL
EDUCATION

PHYSICAL
SCIENCES

PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIAL
SCIENCES'

SOC I O LOGY
SOC I AL
WORK

,

SP EE CH ,
DRAMATIC
ART

OTHER
SUBJECTS

Employed graduates
1
represented ----------------

2,990

2,025

1,028

2,014

3,147

2,405

1,179

2,092

Percent-------------

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

1

7

*

2
2

1
1

Advertising and editorial
assist.ants- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Airline hostesses, reservation
clerks----------------- -----Artists, musicians, actresses-Assistant buyers, store
trainees--------------- -----Bookkeepers, accounting clerksChemists-------------- --------Clerical workers, miscellaneous---------------~ -----Dietitians------------- -------Editors, copywriters,
reporters-------------- -----Home economists------------- --Librarians------------ --------Library assistants------------Mathematicians, statisticians-Nurses----------------- -------Personnel assistants----------Professional workers,
miscellaneous--------- ------Recreation workers------------Religious workers-------------Research workers--------------See footnotes at end of table,


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1

*

1

1

2

2

2

1

*

2

1

1

1
1

3

14

12

7

10

4

1

2

33
1

2

*

*
1

1

1

1
3

*

7
1

5
2
3

1

1

5

99

10

2
2

2

e
1
3

*
4

4

e

5

2
5
2

6

1

*

3

1
1
3
3

8

1

19
3

1

Table 14.-0ccupation of June 1956 Graduates, by Undergraduate Major - Continued
PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES WITH UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
NURSING

s alesclerks, retail workers---·

---

Secretaries, stenographers----s ocial and welfare workers----Teachers----····-----···-·-·--Grade school- • - - - - - • - • • • - • Junior high school- - - - - • - - High school 2 -------------Other---------------------T echnicians, biological-------Therapists--------------------T ypists-----------------------0 ther occupations--------------

---···1

PHYSICAL PHYSICAL
SOC I AL
PSYCHOLOGY
EDUCATION SCIENCES
SCIENCES 4

---

*
---

--1

---

-----

82
8
16

1

55

17
3
8
7

--*
-------

3

---

--1

*

2

31

---

3
7
31
28
23
4

2

4

4

1

4
1
37
8
3
21
4

---

---

9
5
46
40

---

1

1

1

1

---

---

---

1

---

4

2
2

2
2

---

SPEECH,
OTHER
DRAMATIC
SUBJECTS
ART

1
9
7
46
22
9
10

1 Excludes graduates who did not report their occupation and/or undergraduate major.
2
Includes graduates teaching in both elementary and secondary schools.
3 Excludes nursing.
4 Excludes (a) history and (b) sociology and social, work.
* Less than 1 percent.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

SOCIOLOGY
SOC I AL
WORK

IN-

5

8

*

9
1
31
14
6
10
1
2

--2

1

2

*

Table 15.-Teacher Training and Certification of June 1956 Graduates, by Employment or School Status
PERCENT OF GRADUATES WHO ARETOTAL
EMPLOYED
TEACHER TRAINING
AND CERTIFICATION

AS TEACHERS

NUMBER

PERCENT
TOTAL

Graduates

represented

3 • - • - • __

Percent------------------

occu-

SEEK•
I NG
WORK

NOT
SEEK•
ING
WORK

OTHER

GRADE JUNIOR
OTHER PATIONS
HIGH
HIGH SCHOOLs1 SCHOOLS
SCHOOL

40,839 25,323

86,512

IN-

ATTENDING
SCHOOL 2

4,650

9,486

1,380

27,446

8,451

2,495

7,281

100

47

?9

5

11

2

32

10

3

8

100
100
100
100
100

62
77
65
42
3

39
61
35
13
1

7
4

2
2
2
2
1

21

10
1

14
12
18
17
1

18
34
64

7
4
5
11
19

3
2
3
4
3

5
9
10
10

40,641 25,149

4,850

9,478

1,384

27,058

8,388

2,437

7,269

G raduates

with:
Teacher training, total-----Education major------------Education minor------------Some education courses-----No education courses---------

G raduates

represented

4

65,056
31,279
8,055
25,722
21,456

------- 85,791

10

11

8

100

47

29

5

11

2

32

10

3

8

51,527
25,820
20,463

100
100
100

75
88
83

47
82
5

9
1
18

18
1
37

2
1
2

11
4
19

4

8

7

3
2
3

8

4,968
276
34,264

100
100
100

75
51
5

39
22

8

---

2

*

26
7
1

2
22
1

13
39
82

Percent-----------------·
Graduates

with:
Teaching certificate, total-Elementary education-------Secondary education--------Elementary and secondary
education-----------------Other type of certificate--No teaching certificate-----1

Includes graduates teaching in both elementary and secondary schools.
2
Includes graduates attending school full time and employed part time.
3
Excludes graduates who did not report either employment and school status, teacher training, or occupation.
4 Excludes graduates who did not report either employment and school status, teacher certification, or occupation.
* Less than 1 percent.

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

2

e

7

1

4

10

---

---

18

3

12

Table 16.-Annual Salary in Winter 1956-57 of June 1956 Graduates, by Occupation
NUMBER

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

OF

GRADUATES

Graduates represented

1

------------ - ---

64,841

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY .


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
See footnotes at end o! table.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

574

$3,210

319
337
597
740
397
3,007
355
688
683
434
359
454
3,191
551
1,580
426
615
430

3,223
3,080
3,056
3,017
4,453
3,179
3,351
3,120
3,803
3,339
2,960
4,382
3,647
3,497
3,979
3,571
2,960
3,819
2,504

471

TOTAL

UNDER

$ 2 ,SOO
5,836

$3,446

Per c ent -- -----------------------Advertising and editorial assistants--Airline hostesses, reservation
clerks------------------------------Artists, musicians, actresses---------Assistant buyers, store trainees------Bookkeepers, accounting clerks--------Chemists------------------------------Clerical workers, miscellaneous-------Dietitians----------------------------Editors, copywriters, reporters-------Home economists-----------------------Librarians---------------------------- Library assistants------------------- - Mathematicians, statisticians---------Nurs es - - -· - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Personnel assistants------------------Professional wQrkers, miscellaneous---Recreation workers--------------------Religious workers---------------------Research workers----------------------Salesclerks, retail workers------------

PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES RECEIVING
ANNUAL SALARY OF -

$2,500 $3,000 $3,500 $4,000
TO

TO

2,999

TO

3, 49 ~

3,999

AND
OVER

6,990 18,424 19,523 14,068

100

9

11

28

30

100

1

25

50

24

13
14

21
34

41

12

21

38

24
25
24
19

76
10

12

34

30
23
30

14
34
31

10
41
16

21
36

75
27
30
43
26

22

(2I

'( 21

100
100
100
100

24

2
3

( 21

100
100
100

2

12

10

( 2)

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

2

1
2

12
26

4
8
8
7
3
9

13
55

11

27
53
25
38
39
23
31

9

23
21
26
39
2

25
2

Table 16. -Annual Salary in Winter 1956-57 of June 1956 Graduates, by Occupation - Continued
PERCENT OF

NUMBER
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

Secretaries, stenographers------------Social and welfare workers------------Teachers------------------------------Grade school---------------------Junior high school---------------High school 3 --------------------Other- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Technicians, biological---------------Therapists----------------------------Typists-------------------------------Other occupations----------------------

OF
GRADUATES

4,017 .
1,462
39,059
24,547
4,583
9,137
792
1,810
800
780
612

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

$3,148
3,440
3,492
3,550
3,476
3,355
3,348
3,492
3,733
2,912
2,895

EMPLOYED

GRADUATES

TOTAL

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

UNDER

$2,500
14
2
9
7
7
13
14
5
1
23
29

$2,500 $3,000 $3,500 $4,000
TO

TO

TO

2,999

3,499

3,999

20
19
8
8
6
9
13
17
2

36
32
25
24
30
29
20
27
14
63
19

22
24
34
33
37
34
35
31
57
3
22

11

24

1 Excludes part-time workers. The total includes a few graduates who did not
report their occupation.
2 Insufficient
coverage to warrant further breakdown of the data.
3 Includes graduates teaching in
both elementary and secondary schools.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

RECEIVING

ANNUAL SALARY OFAND
OVER

7
22
24
28
19
16
18
20
26

--7

w

tTI

Table 17.-Annual Salary in Selected Occupations, by Region of Graduates' Employment
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY

TOTAL

NUMBER

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

NORTHEAST

NORTH
CENTRAL

2 •••• - • _. ___ • ____

84,841

$3,448

$3,482

Advertising and editorial assistants--Assistant buyers, store trainees------Bookkeepers, accounting clerks--------Clerical workers, miscellaneous-------Librarians----------------------------Nurses--------------------------------Personnel assistants------------------Professional workers, miscellaneous---Religious workers---------------------Secretaries, stenographers------------Social and welfare workers------------Teachers------------------------------Grade school---------------------Junior high school-----·····-----High school 3
Other----------------------------Technicians, biological---------------Therapists-------------------------~--Typists--------------------------------

574
597
740
3,007
434
3,191
551
1,580
815
4,017
1,482
39,059
24,547
4,583
9,137
792
1,810
800
780

$3,210
3,056
3,017
3,179
3 , .339
3,847
3,497
3,979
2,960
3,148
3,440
3,492
3,550
3,476
3,355
3,348
3,492
3,733
2,912

$3,291
3,137

-----

-----

-----

-----

3,203

$3,170

-----

-----

3,718
3,709
4,032

3,580

$2,761
3,077
3,222
3,468

---3,779

-----

-----

3,252
3,349
3,548
3,584
3,531
3,506
3,528
3,455
3,615

3,189
3,494
3,715
3,779
3,691
3,828
3,883
3,784

---------

-· ---

-----

3,179

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

Graduates represented

------ -- -- -- ------ ---

1
Outside continental United States.
2

'

WEST

$3,613

$3 ?073

$3,803

$3,404

-----

-----

-----

-------------

-----


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

--------$3,284

-----

0 THE

-----

-----

3,807

-----

-----

-----

-----

3,880
2,783
2,980
3,281
3,019
3,092
3,026
2,801
3,079

4,185

Includes some graduates not reporting occupation but working full time and reporting salary.
Includes graduates teaching in both elementary and secondary schools.
NOTE: Occupational salaries are not shown for those regions with only small numbers of graduates reporting.
3

Rl

SOUTH

----3,227

---3,961
4,049
3,826
3,735

-------------

-----

----

-----

--------$3,850

-----------------

---------

c.,.:)
0)

Table 18.--Comparison of Graduates' Salaries by Occupation: 1956 and 1955
JUNE 1956
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

JUNE 1955

AMOUNT OF
INCREASE
1955 TO
1956

NUMBER

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

NUMBER

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

Graduates represented 1 ------------------------------

64,841

$3,446

59,'74'7

$3,141

$305

Buyers, assistant buyers, store managers, trainees--Chemists-•------------------------------ - -----------Clerical workers, miscellaneous---------------------Editors, copywriters, reporters---------------------Home economists, dietitians-------------------------Mathematicians, statisticians-----------------------·
Nurses--------------------------------------------- ~Professional workers, miscellaneous--- - --- - ---------Recreation, religious, social, and welfare workers--Salesclerks, retail workers----------------- - -------Secretaries, stenographers - ----------------- - ------ -Teachers------------- - --------- - -·------------------Grade school---------------····-----------------High, junior high school------------------------Other-------------------------------------------Technicians, biological-----------------------------Typists---------------------------------------------Other occupations-----------------------------------·

59'7
39'7
2
5,231
888
1,038
4 454
3,191
5
3,581
2,503
471
4,017
39,059
24,547
13, '720
792
1,810
'780
'1931

$3,056
4,453
3,1'78
3,120
3,648
4,382
3, 84'7
3,743
3,344
2,504
3,148
3,492
3,550
3,395
3,348
3,492
2,912
3,007

893
4'70
3
3,'730
850
'791
408
2,252
2,510
1,733
405
4,508
37,418
25,800
6 10,705
913
1 , '720
998
1,218

$2,'791
3,900
2,811
3,020
3,341
3,848
3,438
3,193
3,214
2,420
2,895
3,197
3,242
3,08'7
3,230
3,038
2,'704
3,008

$285
553
387
100
30'7
534
209
550
130
84
253
295
308
308
118
454
208
81

-

1

Includes a few graduates who did not report occupation.

2
Includes the following occupations, which are listed separately on table 16: advertising and editorial assistants; bookkeepers and
accounting clerks; library assistants; and personnel assistants.
3 Includes bank ·and insurance workers who did primarily clerical work.
4 Includes a few natural scientists, who were grouped last year with "professional workers, miscellaneous."
5 Includes the following occupations, which are listed separately on table 16: artists, musicians, actresses; librarians; research
workers; and therapists.
6 Includes graduates who taught in both elementary and secondary schools and were grouped last year with "other teachers."
7
Includes airline hostesses and reservation clerks, who are listed separately on table 16,
8
A decrease in average annual salary.

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C,,J

-l

Table 19.-Undergraduate Major and Annual Salary of June 1956 Graduates
PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES
AVERAGE
RECEIVING ANNUAL SALARY OFNUMBER OF
ANNUAL
$2,500 $3,000 $3,500 $4,000
GRADUATES
UNDER
AND
TO
TO
TO
SALARY TOTAL
$2,500
2,999 3,499 3,999 OVER

...,___. . ,. .___. ,. . .___r-----,---~----

UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR

Graduates represented

1

-------------------

64,841

Percent-------------- - --- ----- --Art - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Biological sciences----------------------Business and commerce--------------------Education--------------------------------En g 1 is h - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2
Health fields - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - History----------------------------------Home economics-------- : ------------------Journalism- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Languages, foreign----------- ------ ------Mathematics-------- - ---------------------Mus i c - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nursing- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Physical education---------------- -~ -----Physical sciences------------------------Psychology-------------------------------3
Social sciences -------------------------Sociology, social work-------- 7 - - - - - - - - - - Speech, dramatic art------ - --------------0ther majors------------------------------

1,579
1,791
3,222
24,388
4,635
851
2,356
5,151
603
1,500
1,476
1,270
2,733
1,889
954
1,814
2,777
2,195
1,053
1,848

5,836

$3,446

$3,261
3,473
3,266
3,492
3,336
3,612
3,472
3,359
3,139
3,355
3,747
3,335
3,598
3,244
4,100
3,578
3,413
3,446
3,380
'3 ,403

6,990 18,424 19,523 14,068

100

9

11

28

30

22

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

12
14

19

8
8

9

17
10
13

10

9
8

35
26
37
25
36
36
29
33
33
27
22
24
27
27
12
21
30
30
32
36

21
28
29
33
27
34
28
28
13
32
23
33
34
26
23
26
32
21
38
29

14
26
10
24
15
21
25
16

11

11
9

11

16

7

12
33
15
2
9
9
11
4

3
18
6
6
11
5
8

15
10

12

8

10
9

1
Excludes part-time workers. The total includes a few graduates who did not report their undergraduate major.
2
Excludes nursin~
· 3 Excludes ( al history and ( bl sociology and social work.


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11

17
43
18
26
18
56
37
18
29
12
15

c,..,
00

Table 20.-Comparison of Graduates' Salaries by Undergraduate Major: 1956 and 1955
JUNE

1956

JUNE

1955

NUMBER

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

NUMBER

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

----------------

64,841

$3,446

59,747

$3,141

Art - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1,579
1,791
3,222
24,388
4,635
851
2,356
5,151
603
1,500
1,476
1,270
2,733
1,889
954
1,814
2,777
2,195
1,053
1,848

$3,261
3,473
3,266
3,492
3,336
3,612
3,472
3,359
3,139
3,355
3,747
3,335
3,598
3,244
4,100
3,578
3,413
3,446
3,380
3,403

1,294
1 , 455
3,027
22,962
5,094
950
1,339
4,543
657
1,131
1 ,047
1 , 488
2,123
1,913
679
1,102
2,215
2,470
1,182
1,232

$2 , 660
3 , 017
3,135
3,204
3,015
3,469
3,092
3,037
2,981
2,849
3 ,40 2
2,987
3,451
3,174
3,670
2,862
3,122
3,214
3,021
3,140

UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR

Graduates represented

1

Biological sciences-------------------Business and commer c e---------------·-Education-----------------------------English-------------------------------Heal th fields 2 - - - - - - - - - ______________ _
History-------------------------------Home economics------------------------Journalism--- - -------- - -------- - ------Languages, foreign--------------------Mathematics--------- - ----- - ------ - - -- -Mus ic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nursing------------- - ------- -- --------Physical education- -- -----------------Physical sciences---- -- ------------ - --Psychology-------------------- - -------Social sc i ences 3 ---------- - ----------Sociology, social work------------ - - - -Speech, dramatic art------------------0ther majors- - -------------- - -------- - -

1 Total includes a !ew graduates who did not report their undergraduate major.
2 Excludes nursin~
3
Excludes (al history and (bl sociology and social work.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

.

w
co

Table 21.-Industry of Employment and Annual Salary of June 1956 Graduates

INDUSTRY OF EMP LOYM ENT

NUMBER
OF
GRADUATES

AVERAGE
ANNUAL
SALARY

Graduates represented 1 ----------------

64,841

$3,446

Education-----------------------------2
Government - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Manufacturing-------------------------Medical services - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Other industries----------------·------

41,939
4,010
4,440
5,046
9,293

$3,468
3,613
3,684
3,464
3,158

PERCENT OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES RECEIVING
ANNUAL SA LA RY OFTOTAL

UNDER

$2,500
5,836

100
100
100
100
100

10
4
6
6
12

$2,500 $3,000 $3,500 $4,000
TO

TO

TO

2,999

3,499

AND
OVER

6,990 18,424 19,523 14,068
9
8
11

12
20

26
33
27
29
40

1 Excludes part-time workers. The total includes a few graduates who did not report industry of employment.
2
Excludes graduates employed in government hospitals, as they are included in medical services.


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3,999

33
27
26
34
20

24
28
30
20
8

Table 22.-Future Employment Plan of June 1956 Graduates
MARITAL STATUS

TOTAL
EMPLOYMENT PLAN
NUMBER

Graduates represented

2

-------------------

PERCENT

75,808
100

Percent---------------------------

OTHER l

SINGLE

MARRIED

48,209

26,044

1,555

64

34

2

Percent distribution

Plan to have a career--------------------Plan to work indefinitely, have no
interest in a career-------------------Plan to work only as necessaryeconomic reasons-----------------------Plan to stop work when have children-----Plan to work short while after marriage--Plan to stop work when married-----------Do not plan to work in forseeable future-Other plans-------------------------------

100

100

100

100

16,654

22

23

17

70

10,231

13

14

11

22

5,635
25,655
11,859
3,951
1,713
110

7
34

4

15
45

3
2
1

16
5
2

*

1
Widowed, separated, or divorced.
2 Excludes graduates who did not report an employment plan and/or marital status.
Less than 1 percent.

*


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29
21
8
( 2)

*

6

*
6

*

1
2


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