Finding Their Next: Career & Transfer Outcomes

Navi Dhaliwal

Research Report - Published September 23, 2025

Finding Their Next: Career & Transfer Outcomes (2025) presents Dallas College’s first annual analysis of where graduates go, what they earn, and how they rise after earning a credential. Using new data from the First Destination Survey, which asks students about their post-college plans within the first few months after completing a credential, this report offers a detailed picture of how Dallas College graduates transition to work and further education. This year’s results, largely positive in terms of respondents’ sentiment, establish a benchmark to build upon and demonstrate how the college can annually monitor students’ post-college outcomes. Key findings include:

• Post-College Plans: Among survey respondents from Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, 84% knew their next step: 24% planned to work, 40% to pursue further education, and 19% to do both. Only 16% were undecided or still seeking, with these students having the option to be connected with the Career and Transfer Skills Development office.
• Student Satisfaction and ROI: Respondents overwhelmingly rated their Dallas College experience positively, with 86% or more agreeing that their education was worth the cost, prepared them for their next step, and helped them achieve their goals. Classes, faculty, and financial aid were cited as the most valuable aspects of their experience.
• Transfer Pathways: Most respondents who will pursue further education, 59%, will do so at public Texas universities. Nearly 1 in 4, however, will continue at Dallas College itself, reflecting the growing appeal of in-house stackable credentials and bachelor’s degrees.
• Career Outcomes: Respondents who said they will pursue employment are earning an average of $51,000 per year, or $24.52 per hour. Enrollment in high-demand fields and alignment between students’ programs and jobs were associated with higher earnings.
• Program and Sector Patterns: Health, STEM, business, and education led respondents’ occupation and sector placement. Many caring professions valued by graduates, such as teaching or nursing, deliver long-term impact that outpaces short-term compensation.

The data underscore both the promise and the challenge of post-completion success. While Dallas College has made real progress in helping students chart their futures, today’s students are graduating into a challenging, changing labor market and economic climate. Looking ahead, we offer three key recommendations for Dallas College to continue to advance student success.

1. Improve and align college entry and exit data collection: This year’s First Destination Survey participation was limited (13%), leaving gaps in understanding student outcomes for both completers and non-completers. Making the survey mandatory, strengthening outreach, and linking it with entry surveys would provide a comprehensive view of the student journey. Integrating this information with the case management approach of the Learner Care Model would enable a more holistic understanding of student pathways.

2. Adopt and prioritize unified definitions of post-college success: Dallas College currently lacks a shared definition of post-college success, particularly around wages and financial outcomes. Collaborating to establish a research-backed standard and embedding these outcomes into KPIs would align efforts to measure student success beyond completion. This approach would provide senior leadership with consistent metrics to guide strategy.

3. Expand career services and adult learner offerings: Students expressed strong demand for career support and adult-focused programming, with many directly requesting job search and transfer assistance. The college should consider expanding career services staffing, employer partnerships, and evening/weekend offerings to better serve both traditional students and working adults who are balancing multiple responsibilities.

This year’s initial survey findings grant Dallas College a stronger foundation to understand, support, and elevate the post-college journeys of its students. And this year’s recommendations strive to deepen the college’s impact, ensuring every graduate has a clear way to find their next.