The Number Don’t Lie: UST Prepares Liberal Arts Graduates to Succeed

University of St. Thomas continues to demonstrate strong career outcomes for its graduates, even amid a nationally competitive and evolving job market. Recent data from the UST Career Services Center about the Class of 2025 highlights UST's commitment to preparing students not only for employment, but for lifelong vocational and professional success.

Across all degree levels, UST graduates outperformed national averages in Career Outcome Rates (COR), the percentage of graduates employed or enrolled in further education within six months of graduation. Among bachelor's degree recipients, UST achieved a 94 percent career outcome rate, compared to the national average of 86 percent. Master's graduates posted a 93 percent rate versus 88 percent nationally, while doctoral graduates achieved a 95 percent rate, exceeding the national benchmark of 92 percent. Associate degree graduates matched the national rate at 95 percent.

Paula Marsh, MBA '10, executive director of the UST Career Services Center, said the numbers speak for themselves.

"Career outcome isn't just about placement numbers; it shows UST's commitment to walking with students from their first year through graduation to a career they feel called to," she said. "By combining academic excellence, experiential learning and personalized career guidance, we are preparing students not just to find jobs, but to discern meaningful and sustainable work and excel in a rapidly changing workforce."

Equally notable is UST's exceptionally high knowledge rate (KR), which reflects the percentage of graduates for whom post-graduation outcomes are known. Across all degree levels, UST's knowledge rate reached between 96 percent and 99 percent, far surpassing national averages that range from 37-55 percent. This distinction reflects the University's intentional, hands-on approach to student engagement and post-graduate follow-up.

Graduating Into a Competitive Labor Market

These outcomes are particularly significant given broader national employment trends. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall unemployment stood at 4.4 percent, with unemployment among bachelor's degree holders ages 20-24 rising to 9.7 percent in September 2025, up from 6.8 percent the previous year.

Against this backdrop, Texas continues to stand out as a national leader in job growth. Data from the Texas Workforce Commission show that Texas added 195,600 non-farm jobs between August 2024 and August 2025 - more than any other state - while reaching historic highs in labor force participation and total employment. The Greater Houston area alone added 27,500 jobs during the same period, reinforcing the region's role as a dynamic employment hub.

"Texas is a wonderful place to be if you're looking for employment," Marsh said. "UST has a real opportunity to help our students launch into a fruitful career in a thriving job market."

Experiential Learning at the Core of Career Readiness

As employers increasingly emphasize practical experience, UST has intentionally expanded its focus on experiential learning. National data show that 70 percent of employers now use skills-based hiring practices, 89 percent prioritize problem-solving skills, and 74 percent seek candidates with experiential learning backgrounds. These types of skills can be found innately in a liberal arts education.

The UST Career Services Center launched a comprehensive Experiential Learning program in 2023 under the leadership of Dr. Adalgiza Banana Canjinji, associate director of Experiential Learning. The program integrates mentorship, job shadowing, internships, externships, applied projects and community engagement across academic disciplines.

One example of this approach is the Freshman Symposium course "Real World Problem Solving - An Experiential Approach," led by Dr. Canjinji and supported by Obed Franco, UST access specialist.

"As part of the course, students partnered with Covenant House, a Houston-based organization serving homeless and at-risk youth ages 18 to 24," Dr. Canjinji said. "The experience connected classroom theory with real-world challenges, encouraging students to develop empathy, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills."

Guided by Dr. Canjinji's research on poverty and its impact on academic and mental health outcomes, students engaged directly with Covenant House staff and residents, gaining insight into social systems, resilience and effective strategies for change. The experience exemplified how experiential learning not only enhances professional readiness but also forms students as compassionate leaders committed to service.

Preparing Graduates for Meaningful Futures

Together, strong career outcomes, a favorable regional economy and intentional experiential learning position UST graduates to exceed national standards in a complex workforce. Combining academic rigor, real-world application and faithful leadership, the University of St. Thomas continues to fulfill its mission of forming leaders of faith and character, ready to contribute meaningfully to society.