Assessment

SJSU Student Affairs uses information from campuswide student surveys to align health and well-being services with student needs and goals. Learn more about our students’ needs and goals in the following executive summaries.

National College Health Assessment

Colorful banner for the National College Health Assessment

Developed by the American College Health Association (ACHA) and administered in conjunction with the CSU Chancellor’s Office, the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey provides students with a confidential opportunity to share their behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions related to a broad range of relevant health topics. Topics include, but are not limited to: sleep, exercise, nutrition, alcohol and drug use, sexual health, basic needs, and utilization of campus services. SJSU has participated in the NCHA survey since 2009.

The National College Health Assessment will take place March 9 - March 27, 2026. An email will be sent to 15,000 students who have been randomly selected to participate with the subject line: SJSU Health Survey: Well-being Starts with YOU. If you’re selected to participate, this is your opportunity to share your perspectives on your health and well-being and be entered into an opportunity drawing.

All students who submit a survey will be automatically entered into an opportunity drawing to win one of the following prizes: 

  • one of five $100 Spartan Gold Points
  • one $300 Spartan Gold Points award
  • one pair of AirPods
  • one pair of headphones
  • Student Commuter Parking Permit for one semester

Winners are randomly selected by the American College Health Association. Winners will be notified by the Student Wellness Center to claim their prize 2 weeks after the survey closes. The odds of winning a prize is 0.06%

How you can use the data

  • Increase understanding of factors that impact health, wellbeing and academics
  • Inform programs, services and policies to ensure students’ needs are met
  • Establish a baseline for SJSU health trends
  • Evaluate the impact of prevention efforts on campus
How can I access the survey?

If you’ve been selected, you will receive an email with a unique URL for the survey. Click on the survey link in your email invitation to participate in the survey.  

Is the survey confidential?  

The ACHA-NCHA web survey standard implementation protocol is confidential. Only the Response ID number for any given student is recorded with their survey responses. The ACHA-NCHA survey is set to PREVENT the collection of a student’s name, email address, and IP address with their survey submission. Any reports or publications based on this research will use only group data and will not identify you or any individual as being affiliated with this project.

How long does it take to complete the survey? Do I need to complete the survey in one sitting? 

The ACHA-NCHA survey takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. You do not have to complete the survey in one sitting. You can take a break and return to complete the survey in another session. Your responses are saved and will remain populated the next time you use the survey link. 

 

Can my friend take the survey if they weren't chosen as part of the 15,000 randomly selected students?  

No. A unique survey link is generated for each student who has been chosen to participate in the survey. 

 

Can I choose not to take the survey or answer only certain questions?

Participation in the survey is completely voluntary. You may answer only some questions, or you may choose not to participate in the survey at all. 

Can I participate in the opportunity drawing if I was not selected to participate in the survey?

If you would like to enter the drawing, but do not wish to participate in the survey, please email studentwellnesscenter@sjsu.edu with your SJSU account by March 27, 2026. You will be added to the pool of eligible students who have submitted the surveys before random winners are drawn.

Whom should I contact if I experience personal discomfort with the content of certain questions?

There may be some personal discomfort with the content of certain questions. For example, there are questions regarding illegal substance use, interpersonal violence, and sexual behavior. If you’d like to talk with someone about issues addressed in the survey, you may visit SJSU Student Wellness Center for campus resources. 

 

Spring 2024 Survey Results

In Spring 2024, 681 SJSU students responded to the survey.
ACHA-NCHA III Executive Summary, Spring 2024

The following key areas are broken out by demographic and enrollment factors:

Healthy Minds Study

The Healthy Minds Network (HMN) conducts an annual web-based survey, the Healthy Minds Study (HMS), to examine mental health, service utilization, and related issues among undergraduate and graduate students. The study features core modules on demographics, mental health status, and help-seeking behavior, with additional elective modules available on topics such as substance use, sleep, and academic stress. Institutions participating in HMS can use the data to enhance mental health services and compare their findings with peer institutions.
Healthy Minds Study Report, Winter 2023

Career Success Outcomes - First Destination Survey

SJSU’s First Destination Survey is a career outcomes survey that is conducted for each graduating cohort in the semester leading up to graduation until six months after graduation, following NACE protocols.
SJSU 22-23 FDS Career Outcomes (EMBARK)