Seeing Stars: Cedarville Receives Sky-High Ratings in Survey
Undergrads and graduate students both highly pleased with their Cedarville educational experience.
To test its marketing messages, Cedarville University developed a student satisfaction survey that was comprised of six marketing statements about the academic and spiritual promises it makes to its students. In April 2019, students were asked to rank these six statements from one to five — similar to an online product review — so that Cedarville can add star rankings to its website.
The ranking system allows prospective students to better understand what current Cedarville students think about their experiences in the classroom and campus life. This information can help future students in their college decision-making process. The ranking also will assist the university from a marketing perspective as the system will increase the university’s exposure on various search engines.
— Janice Supplee
Overall, Cedarville earned a 4.63 ranking from undergraduates and graduate students taking the survey. Cedarville received a five-star ranking to the statement, “My classes have been taught from a biblical worldview.” The university also earned marks of 4.56 to 4.65 for every other statement in the survey, which included:
● Cedarville University has helped me grow in my walk with Christ.
● Cedarville academics are marked by excellence.
● My professors have demonstrated care for me as a person.
● My academic program is preparing me well for a career.
Responses were also divided according to each academic department, from art, design, and theatre to social work, with each one receiving a four and a half- to five-star rating across all categories. Graduate students ranked Cedarville a 4.57, an impressive ranking considering most receive instruction online.
More than 500 students responded to the survey, which means the findings are 95% reliable with a 5% margin of error.
“We were very encouraged to see that what Cedarville says about itself, students are actually experiencing,” said Dr. Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communications. “It is a great validation that there is integrity about who we are and about the Cedarville experience.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.