The results of the 2003 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) shows that for the second consecutive year, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a national leader in challenging its students academically, creating an active and collaborative learning environment, and providing a supportive campus environment.

The National Survey of Student Engagement compared average scores turned in by 185,000 randomly selected first-year and senior students at 649 four-year colleges and universities who evaluated five areas of their educational experience. The areas that students rated were level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment.  

The survey included 13 sections/areas with a total of 79 survey items.  The study does not rank institutions.

Seventy-three percent or 585 freshmen and seniors at Rose-Hulman completed the survey, according to the college's Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment.

Student engagement represents the combination of the effort students devote to educationally sound activities and what colleges do to prompt students to take advantage of these activities.

Rose-Hulman received benchmark scores determined by student response that was higher in four of the five categories than scores received by national universities, general baccalaureate institutions and participating private engineering colleges that are members of the Association of Independent Technological Universities (AITU). Rose-Hulman's highest score from students was for supportive campus environment. Rose-Hulman was second only to baccalaureate institutions in the enriching educational experiences category. Even within that category, students gave Rose-Hulman a higher mean score than the other three educational groups for internship and co-op experiences, and a culminating senior experience such as a capstone course, project or comprehensive exam.

“This study is an important national benchmark that confirms our educational strengths and distinctive identity," stated Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert. "The survey measures items that are vital to student learning and institutional effectiveness," he said.

"The scores show that Rose-Hulman students are being challenged, have a high degree of interaction with faculty and appreciate the support they receive from the entire campus community," Hulbert noted.

This is the fourth year NSSE has been conducted. The report is co-sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Pew Forum on Undergraduate Learning.