Survey Finds Student Optimism on Finances

A new survey by Cengage of 2,500 recent or near graduates finds much student optimism on jobs and finances -- in some cases inconsistent with what students are likely to experience.

Among the findings:

• 93 percent of near graduates said that they would find a job related to their educational background within six months of graduating. Data suggest only 60 percent will do so in that time frame.
• 88 percent of recent and near graduates said that the number of available jobs in their field of study will increase in the next two years.
• Two-thirds expect to meet their salary expectations within a year, although many said that they may need to move to another state to do so.
• Of those with student debt, they predicted that it would take six years to pay it off -- the reality is likely to be closer to 20.