STUDENT COMPLETION AND WORKFORCE REPORT
The 2011 Nevada Legislature passed Senate Bill 449 (Chapter 397, Statutes of Nevada 2011), which requires the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to compile a biennial report concerning completion of degree and certificate programs and employment within the field of study (codified under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 396.531). Part II of the Student Completion and Workforce Report includes:
The number and percentage of students who have obtained employment within their field of study in this State, and the average starting salary, which must be reported by institution within the System and by each academic program at the institution. The data must be:
(a) Matched with industries identified in state economic development goals to determine whether students who graduated and obtained a degree or certificate are finding employment in those industries in this State; and
(b) Based upon the employment and wage information provided by the Director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation pursuant to NRS 232.920.
This data is reported by NSHE institution and by instructional program at the institution. Workforce data utilizes the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Since occupational data is not used in employment records, NSHE cannot determine if a graduate is employed in their field of study. For example, it is not known if a student with an accounting degree employed at a casino is working as an accountant. However, all industries in which students are employed and the average annual wages for each industry are reported for each instructional program. It is important to note that the average annual wages are calculated only for those individuals employed in Nevada who have wages reported for all four quarters of the year following graduation. However, we cannot determine from the records if employment was full or part-time, which may result in a low average wage.