Recent UConn alumni are predominantly staying in Connecticut, working or studying in pursuits of their choice, and seeing an immediate return on investment with strong starting salaries, new data shows — all despite graduating into one of the most challenging job markets in recent memory.
This year’s data also marks a new high in the percentage of out-of-state students who put down local roots after graduation, deciding to stay in Connecticut along with the large numbers of in-state natives starting their careers or pursuing advanced degrees here.
In all, about 91% of UConn’s newest alumni had positive post-graduation outcomes, meaning they held full-time jobs; were continuing their education; or were following other pursuits of their choosing including military or service with not-for-profit organizations.
The data comes from the most recent Undergraduate First Destination survey results, which also showed the recent graduates earning an average starting salary of $67,500.
That’s an increase of about $7,500 in just the past two years despite the tightening national job market. In fact, in high-demand fields such as nursing and engineering, some entered their first jobs right out of UConn earning more than $80,000 yearly.
The new figures illustrate UConn’s value to students and to the State of Connecticut, providing a highly educated workforce with young professionals whose salaries are reinvested into their communities through housing, purchasing goods and services, and other spending.
The data also underscores findings in a Georgetown University study, which found that UConn graduates yielded a 10-year ROI of $226,000 to $296,000 depending on their campus – all notably higher than the median of $149,000 at public universities nationwide.
It also aligns with goals in the UConn Strategic Plan, including promoting holistic student success and powering a thriving Connecticut economy.
Added competitiveness in a tough job market
Among recent UConn alumni who entered from Connecticut high schools, about 77% have stayed in-state for their first jobs after graduation, representing an increase of 1 percentage point from last year.
And among those who came to UConn from elsewhere, about 24% stayed in Connecticut for employment. That’s up 7 percentage points from last year, a new high in the nearly 10 years since UConn started tracking the figures through the First Destination survey.
The positive outcomes in the newest survey are even more gratifying considering the tight job market, which many national experts have described as one of the most challenging in the last decade apart from the pandemic period.
“The results reflect the talent and resilience of our students, the rigor and relevance of our academic programs, the strength of our career readiness ecosystem, and the enduring reputation of the University of Connecticut,” says Jim Lowe, UConn’s associate vice president and executive director of the UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills.
Mitchell Velasco ’25 (BUS) says he found that taking advantage of programs in his major – in his case, financial management – helped make him more competitive in the job market. Among other activities, he participated in the College Fed Challenge, the Student Managed Fund, and peer and professional conferences to build his skills and understand real-world conditions in his future industry.
By December 2024, he had received and accepted a job offer as a Capital One business analyst, which he started after his May 2025 graduation.
“Leaning into these opportunities that transcend the classroom can provide an edge in an ever-competitive job market,” Velasco says. “Taking advantage of the valuable resources and opportunities made available to students at UConn, along with its strong academic program, can make you that differentiated candidate.”
The newly released data on UConn students’ post-graduation progress comes from the annual Undergraduate First Destination Survey, in which UConn participates along with most other colleges and universities through National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey protocols.
The survey information and other details – including top employers of UConn graduates, their average starting salaries, employment locations and other details – can be found on the UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills website.
The most recent figures capture data on UConn undergraduates who received their degrees in August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025.
Of the 91% in activities of their choosing post-graduation, about 56% were employed and 30% were pursuing higher education. The rest were either serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, engaged with non-profit organizations, or in other activities of their choosing.
The remaining 9% include people pursuing certifications or credentials needed for their specific career paths, and others still seeking opportunities.
Plentiful resources for students
Many of the graduates increased their marketability by engaging in internships, job fairs, career counseling, and other experiential learning experiences through UConn’s Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills.
The new data found that graduates who attended at least one event, one career fair, and one coaching appointment during their time at UConn had average annual starting salaries about $5,000 higher than those who didn’t engage at the same level. Those who used the center’s services were also more likely to report that their job is either directly or very closely related to their current career goals.
According to a 2024 NACE study, 60% of students nationwide utilize their university provided career services. At UConn, the number is 86% — a full 26% points above the national average.
For Kara Rondinelli ’25 (BFA), internships and involvement with career services in her department and at the university level were key to getting experience and contacts that led to her first job out of college.
She interned at the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and also twice at WORX Branding in Prospect, successfully securing a job offer there as a digital designer two months ahead of her May 2025 graduation.
In an already tight job market, positions in creative fields such as hers were even more limited and competitive than in some STEM-related fields. She acknowledges being very concerned about the job hunt, particularly since even many entry-level positions required three to five years of experience.
“I would have had a much harder time finding a job if I hadn’t gotten it through an internship,” says Rondinelli, a Connecticut native who added that by staying in-state, she was able to remain close to family and friends, and move in with her partner who also works in Connecticut.
Nick Verdone ’25 (BUS) was also happy to be able to remain in his native Connecticut, where he works in the Finance and Accounting Leadership Development Program (FALDP) at Travelers.
After interning with the company in the summer before his senior year, he applied for and received an offer to start his current position upon graduation. The three-year rotational program offers exposure to different areas of the finance organization across all Travelers business segments.
“Even though I was fortunate to receive an opportunity with Travelers, I believe that if things hadn’t worked out, I would have been able to navigate the job market successfully in the end,” Verdone says. “Although I did feel uncertainty, I felt confident in myself and in the experiences on my resume and the skills I had worked hard to build. I trusted that they would resonate with employers.
“It also gave me reassurance to be coming from a strong business program like UConn’s, which has an excellent reputation and strong relationships with companies like Travelers that actively recruit on campus,” he adds. “Knowing I had both a solid foundation and access to those resources made me feel prepared and supported.”
