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In spring 2025, the Graduate School administered the gradSERU (Student Experiences in the Research University) survey. Results from that survey are .������

The survey found that graduate students remain satisfied with the quality of their education at С���� Boulder, as well as the opportunities presented to them. Financial concerns related to housing and food security, however, were more pronounced compared to the survey’s last iteration in 2023.����

"Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the gradSERU survey last spring. We (the Graduate School) are working continuously with units around campus, including graduate programs, to improve the services and support provided to our students, and your feedback is critical to making that happen,” said Scott Adler, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs. “Findings such as these help shape our priorities and initiatives in the Graduate School and the wider university for years to come.”������

This biennial survey, which ran March 11 to May 2, 2025, was designed to examine students’ experiences across the entire spectrum of their graduate career, allowing С���� Boulder the opportunity to track changes in graduate programs and compare student experiences over time.������

It was sent to all graduate students enrolled in the spring 2025 semester (with the exception of professional programs, MBA, Law or entirely online programs), totaling 4,060 students. Overall, 1,387 students responded, for a response rate of 34%.�� ����

The students were asked about many different aspects of their graduate experience at ���� Boulder, including finances, academics and advising, their experience with teaching and research, health and wellbeing and career plans. The data broke the students apart by categories such as citizenship status, race/ethnicity and gender, as well as their degree type and program.����

The data showed that most students were satisfied with the quality of their graduate program, their opportunities for research and their access to quality advising, and would choose ���� Boulder again, if given the opportunity. Many students also reported a strong sense of belonging in their graduate program and that their program created a collegial and supportive environment, although there were concerns raised that the climate of the programs may not be as good for historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups as it was for other students.����

Students also felt that their primary advisor was helpful in providing guidance for both academic and non-academic career options. The survey showed that both remain of interest to students after graduation, with nonacademic careers inching out academic careers by about four percentage points.������

Given the university’s special interest in improving global education, the Graduate School was interested in the experience of international students. While this survey was conducted prior to many of the current shifts to the federal and higher education landscapes, it provided insight into the general experience for that group of students. What the survey found is that while international students were overall very satisfied with many facets of their education, they were concerned about managing their immigration status/visa, having adequate financial support, and maintaining good mental health.����

Financial support was also a concern for domestic students, where only a little over one-third of graduate students receiving funding said their stipend sufficiently covered the cost of living in the Boulder area. Many also reported feeling insecure about having enough money for food or housing.����

"The Graduate School is very aware of the precarious financial situation that some of our students are facing," said Adler. "While there are many efforts already underway, such as the efforts by the university to create housing plans for the Louisville U.S. 36/McCaslin property and С���� Boulder South, as well as the exploration of potential other graduate housing opportunities in the area near Main Campus to the north of Boulder Creek, addressing this concern remains a top priority for the Graduate School and many campus partners.”��

One such partner, Student Life, also strives to keep Graduate Family Housing rates low and is evaluating opportunities to expand the number of housing options available.��

Since receiving the 2023 gradSERU results, the Graduate School and partners on campus have implemented several changes including continued stipend increases, expanded health insurance benefits for spouses and dependents, targeted fee remissions, and the launch of the Futures Fellowship to support graduate student families.������

Additionally, the Graduate School has expanded efforts to strengthen advising and mentoring through the Graduate Inclusive Mentoring Community and increased mentor training opportunities in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning. A new Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant is assisting those efforts by supporting departments to strengthen their mentoring practices and in recruiting and retaining Sloan Scholars.����

The gradSERU survey is administered every two years, with the first being in 2021. The next iteration will be in 2027. More information about the survey, including past years' data, is available on the gradSERU web page.