32 Essential Alumni Survey Questions for Graduate Feedback
Explore 30 insightful alumni survey questions covering career, education, engagement, philanthropy, and event feedback for better alumni relations.
Higher education institutions know that their brightest assets don’t just leave when they graduate—they evolve into vibrant advocates and invaluable resources long after that final cap and gown moment. Today, alumni survey questions serve as secret agents for strategic advancement, offering actionable insights that boost accreditation, ignite fundraising, upgrade curriculum, and polish institutional brands. By deploying well-timed surveys at key touchpoints—like six months after graduation, during annual alumni check-ins, or pre-major fundraising campaigns—universities build a legacy of continuous alumni feedback and ever-stronger alumni engagement.
Employment & Career Outcomes Survey
Why and when to use this type of survey
Capturing graduate outcomes doesn’t have to feel like wrangling cats. Institutions need concrete, up-to-date job placement survey results to maintain credibility with both prospective students and accreditation bodies. The immediate months after graduation—especially the 6–12 month window—offer prime real estate for collecting fresh data on where alumni land, what they’re earning, and how quickly they secure those all-important first positions.
Regular check-ins, every two years or so, provide longitudinal data gems. This frequency lets universities keep pace with the ever-shifting job market and changing career paths of their alumni. Knowing where graduates end up, what titles they hold, and what they earn isn’t just about boasting—it’s about understanding and refining your career outcome metrics. Armed with this info, career services teams can build better workshops, coaching sessions, and networking opportunities tailored right to the evolving needs and ambitions of their grads.
Another perk? Graduate salary data shines a spotlight on high-performing programs and uncovers opportunities for improvement. Not only does it satisfy regulatory reporting requirements, but it also becomes a potent marketing tool to woo both students and employers. It’s a win-win—no guesswork, just solid numbers and happy outcomes.
Sample questions
What is your current employment status?
Which industry and job title best describe your role?
How long did it take you to secure your first position after graduation?
What is your current annual salary range?
How relevant is your degree to your current job responsibilities?
A 2024 survey revealed that 76% of Generation program alumni were employed 2–5 years post-graduation, up from 11% pre-program. (generation.org)
Create your survey, it's 100% free
How to Create Your Alumni Survey in HeySurvey: 3 Easy Steps (Plus a Bonus!)
If you’re new to HeySurvey and wondering how to get your alumni survey off the ground, don’t sweat it! Follow these simple steps to go from zero to survey hero—and grab your template using the button below to jumpstart your creation.
Step 1: Create a New Survey
- Head to HeySurvey and choose “Create New Survey” from the dashboard.
- Pick a survey creation method that suits you: start from scratch with an empty sheet, or save time by selecting a pre-built alumni survey template.
- Name your survey to keep things organized (something like “Alumni Employment & Engagement Survey 2024” does the trick).
That’s it! You just laid the foundation for your alumni feedback adventure.
Step 2: Add Your Questions
- Use the Add Question button to insert your questions one at a time.
- Select question types that fit your needs: multiple-choice for straightforward answers, scales for ratings (like satisfaction or likelihood), and text inputs for thoughtful open responses.
- Type in each question, add descriptions if needed, and mark important questions as required so no crucial info slips through the cracks.
- If you want to get fancy, set up branching logic so some questions only appear based on previous answers—making your survey feel smart and personal.
Remember, structure matters! Keep your survey focused and friendly without overwhelming your alumni.
Step 3: Publish Your Survey
- Once your questions are loaded and polished, hit Preview to see exactly how your survey looks on different devices.
- Make any last-second tweaks to colors, fonts, or layouts using the Designer Sidebar for that extra touch of branding magic.
- When you’re happy, click Publish. You’ll get a shareable link to send out via email, social media, or embed it on your alumni webpage.
- Keep in mind: you’ll need an account to publish and track responses, but sign-up is quick and straightforward.
Voilà—your alumni survey is live and ready to gather those golden insights!
Bonus Steps to Wow Your Respondents
Apply Your Branding:
Upload your university logo and tweak colors and fonts in the Designer Sidebar so the survey feels like a seamless extension of your alma mater’s style.
Define Survey Settings:
Set start and end dates to control your survey’s open window, add response limits if you want, or configure redirect URLs for thanking respondents or funneling them to events or resources.
Jump Into Branches:
Make your survey dynamic with branching logic, where answers to some questions determine which questions come next, keeping the survey relevant and engaging for every alum.
Ready to roll? Click below to open a tailored alumni survey template in HeySurvey and start building your perfect survey today!
Continuing Education & Professional Development Survey
Why and when to use this type of survey
In today’s up-skilling whirlwind, a continuing education survey is higher ed’s best friend. Beyond simply asking about graduate outcomes, these surveys dig deep into the pulse of lifelong learning—surface-level data just won’t cut it! Schools that collect input 18–24 months after graduation, and again before launching any shiny new certificate or micro-credential program, get to optimize their professional development offerings based on real-world demand.
This survey type reveals more than just what courses your alumni liked; it uncovers new opportunities for alumni professional development needs, additional degrees, and emerging certifications. Results become gold for curriculum planners who want to stay ahead of trends, boost enrollment in supplemental learning, and fuel alumni satisfaction.
Not only does this keep your school’s lifelong learning pipeline overflowing, but it also fosters a deeper sense of alumni engagement—your graduates feel heard, valued, and supported in every phase of their career journeys. Gathering first-hand info on online, hybrid, and in-person format preferences, as well as barriers like cost or lack of employer support, is the smartest recipe for boosting enrollment in those alumni-targeted courses.
Sample questions
Have you pursued any additional certifications or degrees since graduating?
Which professional skills are you most interested in developing next?
How likely are you to enroll in an online course offered by our institution?
What format (online, in-person, hybrid) do you prefer for continuing education?
What barriers (cost, time, employer support) prevent you from further study?
A survey of public health educators identified grant writing, evaluation, and management as top professional development needs. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Alumni Engagement & Satisfaction Survey
Why and when to use this type of survey
Nothing says “we love our grads” like a thoughtfully crafted alumni satisfaction survey. Used annually (or right after your university rolls out a major change), these surveys help chart the emotional landscapes of your alumni community, assessing alumni sentiment toward reunions, emails, alumni benefits—and, of course, warm-and-fuzzy nostalgia.
Why care about such feelings? Because NPS for universities is more than just a score; it’s a leading indicator of loyalty and future advocacy. When you know exactly what keeps alumni coming back—whether it’s career services, access to the library stacks, or exclusive networking soirées—you know where to double down.
Deploying these surveys also improves alumni communications, making every touchpoint—from event invites to fundraising asks—feel timely, relevant, and personal. Pinpointing satisfaction drivers ensures your university doesn’t just keep up… it thrills, delights, and inspires alumni to stay connected for the long haul.
Sample questions
On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend our institution to prospective students?
How satisfied are you with the frequency of alumni communications?
Which alumni benefits do you value most (career services, library access, networking)?
How connected do you feel to the university community today?
What one improvement would most increase your engagement?
Philanthropy & Giving Intent Survey
Why and when to use this type of survey
Unlocking alumni generosity requires more than just a hope and a well-timed ask. Savvy universities use alumni giving survey data to uncover exactly what projects and causes inspire graduates to dig deep into their wallets. Deploying this survey strategically—right before fiscal-year appeals or grand fundraising campaigns—means you’ll always have your finger on the philanthropic pulse.
It’s not just about how likely alumni are to give; it’s about understanding giving triggers, preferred channels (online, phone, mail), and even awareness of powerful philanthropy intent questions like employer matching or customized recognition. All this intelligence feeds targeted segmentation and story-telling for annual funds and flagship campaigns, maximizing ROI while making every donor feel uniquely valued.
In short, your graduate outcomes aren’t complete without asking how and why graduates choose to support their alma mater—and what could encourage them to give more, more often, and more enthusiastically.
Sample questions
Which campus initiatives inspire you to give (scholarships, research, facilities)?
How likely are you to donate within the next 12 months?
What giving channels do you prefer (online, phone, mail)?
Would matching-gift options from employers influence your donation amount?
What recognition methods (events, naming opportunities) motivate your philanthropy?
Alumni who feel connected to their alma mater are 23 times more likely to donate. (ruffalonl.com)
Program & Curriculum Feedback Survey
Why and when to use this type of survey
Higher ed gets its biggest edge by closing the loop between classroom theory and marketplace reality—and that’s where the program evaluation survey comes in. Gathering curriculum feedback from alumni 2–3 years after graduation creates a bridge between academic departments eager to refine offerings and rapidly evolving industries that demand new skill sets.
These surveys are more than routine check-ins. They’re robust data generators that drive curriculum reviews, revision of major requirements, and demonstrate continuous improvement for accreditation bodies. Academic leaders get direct evidence of what courses were career-makers… and which could use a syllabus facelift.
This survey empowers alumni to shape the very programs that launched their careers, making them partners in mutual success. It’s feedback for the win, and for a curriculum that never stops growing and adapting.
Sample questions
Which courses best prepared you for your current career?
Identify any content gaps you experienced in the curriculum.
Rate the effectiveness of experiential learning opportunities (internships, co-ops).
How well did faculty mentorship support your career goals?
What new subjects should be added to stay industry-relevant?
Event Feedback Survey
Why and when to use this type of survey
If you want more alumni to RSVP with an emphatic “yes”—and keep coming back—then don’t just host great events. Follow up with a slick alumni event survey immediately (within 48 hours!) for the candid feedback that transforms the occasional reunion into a can’t-miss calendar staple.
These post-event feedback questions drill into every detail that matters: venue quality, session value, networking magic, and memorable discussions. Fast feedback loops help your advancement team perfect future events—cutting what doesn’t work, doubling down on what dazzles, and surfacing exciting new topics that keep alumni coming back for more.
Smart event surveys also give a sense of ownership. Alumni who see their suggestions come to life will always have that date circled in their calendars next year.
Sample questions
How satisfied were you with the event location and venue?
Which session or activity provided the most value?
Rate the networking opportunities you experienced.
What topics would you like covered at future events?
How likely are you to attend this event again next year?
Best Practices: Dos and Don’ts for High-Performing Alumni Surveys
The most powerful surveys strike a perfect balance between being brilliantly insightful and breezily brief. Segmentation is non-negotiable: Always target by graduation year, academic program, and even alumni location to ensure every insight is hyper-relevant.
Equally important is catering to today’s busy, mobile alumni.
- Mobile-friendly design and completion in under 10 minutes boost response rates.
- Incentives—think alumni swag, raffle entries, or exclusive early event registrations—make participation a no-brainer.
- Striking a balance between quantitative (scored) and qualitative (short-answer) data keeps things actionable and accessible.
- Overloading surveys with endless text boxes is a big no-no; save deep dives for follow-up interviews or focus groups.
- Consistently communicate the changes you make based on survey feedback—it’s essential for building trust and boosting future participation.
- Toss in some A/B testing for subject lines, send times, and email reminders for a science-backed approach to better open and click rates.
Great surveys don’t grow stale—they’re living tools, improved through constant tinkering, listening, and clear communication.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Alumni surveys are the power tools that drive smarter strategies—fueling fundraising, curriculum design, event excellence, and long-term loyalty. Each type of survey brings game-changing insights that help institutions keep their promises to both students and graduates. With a solid plan and the right questions, any school can unlock a roadmap for continuous improvement and meaningful alumni engagement.
Want to take your alumni insights game to the next level? Download a customizable alumni survey template or schedule a consultation today.