Illini Success report: 90% of LAS alums find a first destination soon after graduation

An annual survey of recent graduates reports that 90% of LAS alumni who graduated during the 2023-2024 period secured their first destination within six months of graduating. 

That figure includes 41% who found employment and 48% who sought further education. About 1% went into volunteer or service work. The average salary for employed new LAS alumni is $70,355, according to the findings.

These numbers come from the Illini Success initiative, a campuswide report that began in 2016 to shine light on the early career paths of bachelor’s degree recipients. This year’s report examines undergraduates who received their degrees in August 2023, December 2023, and May 2024. 

For this spring’s report, the university was able to collect data on 3,254 LAS graduates, or 61% of the total number of LAS graduates from the 2023-2024 class. The data came from direct surveys of graduates and secondary sources such as the National Student Clearinghouse, employer reports, and LinkedIn.

“The Illini Success report numbers reflect the amazing potential for those who pursue an education in the liberal arts and sciences,” said Venetria K. Patton, Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of LAS. “We are proud to see so many of our alumni landing new opportunities right after graduation, whether they’re starting their first jobs or pursuing more education."

The 90% first destination rate for the College of LAS matches the campus average. Campuswide, 50% of new graduates started a job, 40% enrolled in additional education, and 1% took on a volunteer or service position.

Some 69% of all new U of I graduates remained in the state of Illinois for employment or continuing education. Of the new graduates who are Illinois residents, 80% secured their first destination within Illinois. Those who left the state secured first destinations across 46 other U.S. states and 17 other countries.

“Illinois continues to deliver on its promise of equipping students with experiences that lead to success beyond graduation — in many cases, right here in our state,” said Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “These numbers are evidence of what we’ve known for a long time — that Illinois is an engine of learning, discovery, innovation and economic prosperity, and that the decision to attend this university is a sound investment in your life and career.”

The Illini Success report also serves as a measurement of how many graduates participated in an experiential learning opportunity (internship, research project, study abroad, service learning, clinical programs) while attending Illinois. The report noted that 91% of graduates took part in experiential learning, with 42% of those students receiving job offers stemming from an experiential learning opportunity. 

Of note in LAS, new graduates in actuarial science, chemical and biomolecular engineering, Earth sciences (including climate, meteorology, and atmospheric sciences and Earth science and environmental change), history, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy and philosophy and computer science, and statistics and computer science reported higher than 95% first destination rates.  

“One of greatest strengths of the Illini Success initiative is how clearly it demonstrates the wide variety of possible futures that our graduates pursue,” said Julia Makela, senior director of LAS Career Services. “An LAS education—across our various majors—leads to marketable skills; those skills set the foundation for impactful careers. We welcome and encourage all LAS students to engage with career services throughout their academic experience—early and often—as they strive to identify and secure their desired first destination story.”