Evaluation of Satisfaction and Performance of Agriculture Students: An Input on Graduate Students’ Quality Assurance

Background: Graduate tracer studies help higher education institutions assess whether their programs prepare alumni for employment, promotion, and professional growth. In the Philippine context, tracer evidence is particularly important for curriculum review, quality assurance, and alignment with workforce needs. This study traced the graduates of the Master of Science in Agriculture (MSA) and Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture (PhD) programs of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU)–Siniloan Campus.

Method: The study used a descriptive-correlational graduate tracer design. Total enumeration was adopted for all identified graduates from batches 1996 to 2025, and 51 of 73 reachable graduates participated. Data were gathered through an adapted CHED Graduate Tracer Study questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, educational background, employment outcomes, skills utilization, promotion challenges, strategies, professional growth, and recommendations. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and one-way analysis of variance were used.

Results: Most respondents were female (58.8%), married (62.7%), and in the 36–40 age group (21.6%). MSA graduates comprised 86.3% of respondents. Almost all respondents were employed (94.1%), all in government institutions, and 86.3% reported promotion after completing graduate studies. Skills and competencies from the program were utilized to a very high extent (overall mean = 4.56), while the contribution of graduate education to personal and professional growth was also very high (overall mean = 4.46). Promotion-related challenges were generally low (overall mean = 2.48). Significant differences in skills utilization were found when respondents were grouped according to agency, present job, and position.

Conclusion: The agriculture graduate programs of LSPU–Siniloan were associated with strong employment outcomes, upward career mobility, and substantial personal and professional development, supporting their continued relevance and strengthening the need for ongoing curriculum enhancement.