First Destination Survey (FDS) for graduating Seniors

What is it?

Each year, Syracuse University Career Services conducts a survey of new Syracuse University graduates. This data is imperative in understanding student outcomes once they leave the University. Data collection begins before students graduate and continues for a number of months beyond graduation. Each “class” is comprised of December, May, and summer graduates.

Why is this important?


The resulting data collected allows Syracuse University Career Services to summarize yearly reports that feature students’ employment and graduate study statuses, complete with specific information organized by school or college. Other data on salaries, geographic distribution of graduates, and methods of securing employment is also summarized. This information can be seen below.

What are our goals?


Each year we have a primary goal of 85% or above for total responses received from each graduating class. We also have a secondary goal of student-submitted (Response Rate) survey responses. Here, we hope to achieve at least a 40% response rate. Over the next five years, we would like to increase our averages to 90% and 50%, respectively.

Engaging with the FDS as a graduating Senior

Undergraduate Class of 2026

To submit your Class of 2026 First Destination Survey data, login to Handshake and visit your Career Center or click here.

Students can find their First Destination Survey by logging into Handshake and visiting their Career Center page. If a student has graduated this past December 2025, or will be in May or summer of this year, they will see a button titled First Destination Survey available. If you feel you should have this available to you, please email Syracuse University Career Services for support.

Want to Be Featured on the Brag Board?

Landing a job? Heading to grad school? Doing something exciting after graduation? We want to celebrate you. The Brag Board showcases Class of 2026 graduates on digital signage across campus and Career Services social media channels — putting your success story in front of the entire Syracuse University community.

Here’s how to get featured:

  1. Complete the First Destination Survey
    • Fill out the FDS through your Handshake account and tell us where you’re headed. A job, grad school, military service, volunteering — all outcomes count.
  2. Send us your details
    • Email careers@syr.edu with the subject line “Brag Board” and include:
      • A professional photo (need one? Visit the Iris Photo Booth in our office!)
      • Your full name and SU email address
      • Your outcome details:
        • Employed: Employer name, job title, and location
        • Continuing education: Institution name and program of study
        • Military: Branch of service
        • Volunteering: Organization name and location

That’s it — we’ll take care of the rest and make sure your success gets the spotlight it deserves.

Engaging with the FDS as a Campus Partner (Staff, Faculty)

Our campus partners are vital to our First Destination Survey engagement. While Career Services across campus does the best we can to intentionally engage and learn about our student successes, often, mentorship or other support systems are the ways in which students share their successes and we recognize you may be the first and last point of contact in this celebration.

How can you help?

If you are a student-facing staff or faculty member and learn about graduating Senior post-graduation outcomes, please encourage your graduating Senior to engage with Handshake to complete their campus-wide First Destination Survey by doing the following:

  1. Log in to syr.joinhandshake.com
  2. Navigate to Career Center
  3. Select First Destination Survey
  4. Complete Survey
  5. Submit response

If the student is having trouble navigating their Handshake experience for any reason, please encourage them to contact handshake@syr.edu or careers@syr.edu for a resolution. If needed, learned information can be sent directly to careers@syr.edu and should have the subject “First Destination Survey response.”

We are seeking information such as:

  • Syracuse University email address
  • Employer or Graduate School
  • Salaries or Stipends
  • Location of experience

You can download our approved flyer here and distribute in the medium that works best for your workflow.

FIrstDestination_May2026Download

First Destination Survey Data

Career Services conducts a survey of new Syracuse University graduates each year. Data collection begins before students have actually graduated and continues for a number of months beyond graduation. Each “class” is comprised of December, May and summer graduates.

Each report summarizes students’ employment and graduate study statuses, complete with specific information organized by school or college. Other data on salaries, geographic distribution of graduates and methods of securing employment is also summarized.

For the full report, view the information below.

University wide Undergraduate Outcomes

The Class of 2025 consists of graduates from undergraduate programs who were awarded degrees in August and December of 2024 and May, June, and July of 2025.

Results reflect information on 2,903 of 3,452 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 84% knowledge rate. Data collection begins in October of the students’ graduating year and ends six months post the University’s Commencement.

Data for this report is compiled from information collected by Syracuse University Career Services and various academic units across campus. The information consists mostly of survey responses from graduates, but also includes knowledge gained through LinkedIn and faculty/staff reporting.

The information in this report is collected and compiled following the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards and protocols for the collection and dissemination of graduating student initial career outcomes information for undergraduates.

Graduates who completed majors in multiple schools at Syracuse University are reported in the results for each school and college.

Class of 2025 Outcomes 1-PagersDownload

Results reflect information on 2,903 of 3,452 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 84% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 64% employed
  • 20% continuing education
  • 5% still seeking employment
  • 1% not seeking employment
  • <1% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 89% Graduates in full- and part-time positions, military service, volunteer or service programs, or graduate school within six months of their graduation. (Percentage based on responses)

Graduates Who Obtained Professional Placement Reporting their Position is Related to Career Goals: 92%

Obtained Full-Time Position by Graduation: 33%

Where Graduates Are Located

  • Northeast: 70%
  • South: 11%
  • West: 10%
  • Midwest: 5%
  • International: 4%

Average Starting Salary: $63,589

  • Amazon
  • AmeriCorps
  • Atlantic Records
  • Bank of America
  • Bloomberg
  • BNY
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Chobani
  • City of Syracuse
  • Condé Nast
  • CoStar Group
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Deloitte
  • Equitable
  • ESPN
  • EY
  • Fast Enterprises, LLC
  • Fox Corporation
  • Fulbright Association
  • General Dynamics, Electric Boat
  • Goldman Sachs
  • HAVAS
  • IPG Health
  • JPMorganChase
  • KPMG LLP
  • Live Nation Entertainment
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Macy’s, Inc.
  • Major League Baseball
  • Mass General Brigham
  • Morgan Stanley
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • National Basketball Association (NBA)
  • National Geographic Society
  • National Grid
  • NBCUniversal
  • New York Mets
  • Ogilvy
  • PwC
  • Ross Stores, Inc.
  • Saatchi & Saatchi
  • Samsung Electronics America
  • Starbucks Coffee Company
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • Synchrony
  • Syneos Health
  • Syracuse City School District
  • Syracuse University
  • Teach For America
  • Techtronic Industries, NA (TTI)
  • The New York Times
  • The TJX Companies, Inc.
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • UBS
  • United Airlines
  • United Talent Agency
  • Walmart
  • Wegmans Food Markets
  • Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

  • American University
  • Boston College
  • Boston University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Duke University
  • Emory University
  • Fordham University
  • George Washington University
  • Georgetown University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Harvard University
  • IE Business School
  • INSEAD Business School
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • New York University
  • Northeastern University
  • Northwestern University
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Pratt Institute
  • Rutgers University
  • State University of New York System-Upstate Medical University
  • Syracuse University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Florida
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Michigan
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Virginia
  • Villanova University
  • Yale University

Please note: the following documents are intended for print use only and are not screen reader accessible. If you require a digitally accessible document, please contact email Syracuse University Career Services to request a text-only copy.

Undergraduate Outcomes by School or College

School of Architecture

Results reflect information on 120 of 132 undergraduate degree recipients, representing a 91% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 64% employed
  • 20% continuing education
  • 6% still seeking employment
  • 1% not seeking employment

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 93%

Average Starting Salary: $67,228

Featured Employers

  • The Architectural Team, Inc.
  • Ballinger
  • Capri Holdings Limited (Versace, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors)
  • Corgan
  • Dietz & Company Architects, Inc.
  • DLH Architecture
  • Garrett Singer Architecture & Design
  • Gensler
  • GWWO Architects
  • HKS Architects
  • King + King Architects
  • Mackey Mitchell Architects
  • MKDA New York
  • Page Southerland Page, Inc.
  • Perkins and Will
  • Pickard Chilton
  • Populous
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Robert A.M. Stern Architects
  • Spacesmith
  • The Architectural Team, Inc.

College of Arts and Sciences

Results reflect information on 604 of 759 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 80% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 41% employed
  • 42% continuing education
  • 10% still seeking employment
  • 6% not seeking employment
  • <1% volunteering
  • <1% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 84%

Average Starting Salary: $52,111

Featured Employers

  • Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)
  • Alexandria City VA Public Schools
  • Amazon
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • CNY Arts, Inc.
  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program
  • Georgetown University
  • Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Hearst Magazines
  • IBM
  • KPMG
  • Mass General
  • National Museum of Mathematics
  • NBCUniversal
  • New York State Senate
  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Peace Corps
  • Pfizer
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • Teach for America
  • The National Institute of Health
  • The New York Times
  • United States Geological Survey (USGS)
  • VOGUE

School of Education

Results reflect information on 66 of 83 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 80% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 47% employed
  • 45% continuing education
  • 6% still seeking employment
  • <1% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 94%

Average Starting Salary: $51,175

Featured Employers

  • Baltimore City Public Schools (MD)
  • Freehold Township School District
  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program
  • Hauppauge School District
  • Syracuse City School District
  • The Embassy of Spain in the United States – Education Office
  • The Gillen Brewer School
  • The TJX Companies, Inc.
  • Uncommon Schools
  • Zeta Charter Schools

Featured Continuing Education Institutions

  • Boston University
  • Columbia University
  • Florida State University
  • Harvard University
  • Hunter College
  • Queens College
  • State University of New York System – Binghamton
  • State University of New York System – Cortland
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Pennsylvania

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Results reflect information on 277 of 324 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 85% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 53% employed
  • 37% continuing education
  • 6% still seeking employment
  • 4% enlisted in military service
  • <1% volunteering

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 94%

Average Starting Salary: $79,204

Featured Employers

  • Abbott
  • AECOM
  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Arcadis
  • bp
  • Chobani
  • Clean Harbors
  • Deloitte
  • Fast Enterprises, LLC
  • General Dynamics, Electric Boat
  • IBM
  • Iridium
  • L3Harris Technologies
  • Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Lululemon
  • Micron
  • Microsoft
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • Novelis
  • Procter & Gamble (P&G)
  • Rolls-Royce
  • RTX
  • Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Results reflect information on 283 of 353 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 80% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 54% employed
  • 41% continuing education
  • 4% still seeking employment
  • <1% not seeking employment
  • <1% volunteering
  • <1% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 96%

Average Starting Salary: $51,206

Featured Employers

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Boston Red Sox
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Football Club
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Clemson University
  • Crunch Fitness
  • DraftKings
  • Fox Sports
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Houston Dash
  • Kraft Sports + Entertainment
  • Legends
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Madison Square Garden
  • Minnesota Twins
  • Minnesota Wild
  • MKTG
  • New York Islanders
  • New York Yankees
  • San Jose Sharks
  • VaynerSports
  • Westwood One

School of Information Studies

Results reflect information on 141 of 156 undergraduate degree recipients, representing a 90% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 70% employed
  • 19% continuing education
  • 9% still seeking employment
  • 3% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 91%

Average Starting Salary: $73,329

Featured Employers

  • Accenture
  • Allstate Insurance Company
  • Bank of America
  • BNP Paribas
  • BNY
  • City of Syracuse
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Epic
  • Equitable
  • EY
  • JPMorganChase
  • KPMG LLP
  • M&T Bank
  • Morgan Stanley
  • National Grid
  • Sony Music Entertainment
  • Synchrony
  • The TJX Companies, Inc.
  • T-Mobile USA, Inc.
  • Vanguard

Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Results reflect information on 509 of 631 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 81% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 51% employed
  • 34% continuing education
  • 11% still seeking employment
  • 3% not seeking employment
  • 1% enlisted in military service
  • <1% volunteering

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 86%

Average Starting Salary: $62,274

Featured Employers

  • Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
  • Alliance for Middle East Peace
  • Amazon
  • AmeriCorps
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Bank of America
  • CNBC
  • Council of Europe
  • Epic
  • EY
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • FOX News Media
  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Institute for Justice
  • KPMG
  • Morgan Stanley
  • New York State Senate
  • Smithsonian National Museum
  • Teach for America
  • U.S. Department of Labor
  • UBS
  • United Nations
  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • Washington Economic Development Association

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Results reflect information on 431 of 479 undergraduate degree recipients, representing a 90% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 82% employed
  • 12% continuing education
  • 6% still seeking employment
  • <1% volunteering

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 94%

Average Starting Salary: $53,626

Featured Employers

  • Atlantic Records
  • BerlinRosen
  • Creative Artists Agency
  • Day One Agency
  • Dentsu
  • Digitas Health
  • Edelman
  • ESPN
  • FCB New York
  • Fox Corporation
  • GRAY Media
  • HAVAS
  • Joele Frank
  • Major League Baseball
  • National Basketball Association (NBA)
  • National Geographic Society
  • NBCUniversal
  • New York Mets
  • Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
  • Ogilvy
  • Publicis Group
  • Republic Records
  • Saatchi & Saatchi
  • Tennis Channel
  • United Talent Agency

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Results reflect information on 321 of 380 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 84% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 55% employed
  • 19% continuing education
  • 25% still seeking employment
  • 1% not seeking employment
  • <1% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 74%

Average Starting Salary: $51,193

Featured Employers

  • Alabama Shakespeare Festival
  • American High
  • Big Happy
  • Big Loud Records
  • Commercial Furniture Interiors
  • Deloitte
  • Design Collective Inc.
  • Five Peaks Animation
  • Garrett Singer Architecture & Design
  • Handshake
  • Jazz at Lincoln Center
  • Marquee Brands
  • New York Mets
  • Paramount
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • PwC
  • Ross Stores, Inc.
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • TPG Architecture
  • Under Armour

Martin J. Whitman School of Management

Results reflect information on 432 of 478 undergraduate degree recipients, representing a 90% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 82% employed
  • 11% continuing education
  • 6% still seeking employment
  • 1% not seeking employment
  • <1% enlisted in military service

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 94%

Average Starting Salary: $71,120

Featured Employers

  • Amazon
  • Bloomberg
  • BNY
  • Deloitte
  • Equitable Advisors
  • EY
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Havas
  • IPG Health
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • KPMG
  • Macy’s
  • PepsiCo
  • PwC
  • Ross Stores
  • Samsung
  • Techtronic Industries (TTI)
  • TJX Companies
  • UBS
  • Walmart