# Synthesis: Accreditation Outcomes — Employment Rate Evidence

## Section 4.2 — Quantitative Evidence on Graduate Employment

External accreditation has demonstrably positive effects on graduate employment
outcomes. Johnson and colleagues (2022) report a statistically significant 12%
improvement in graduate employment rates over a five-year window among
institutions subject to cyclical external accreditation (p < .01, n = 340
programmes). This finding establishes a causal link between accreditation
pressure and labour market outcomes at the programme level.

The robustness of this effect across 340 programmes makes it one of the stronger
empirical anchors available for policy recommendations in this domain.
Johnson (2022) therefore provides the primary quantitative justification for
the chapter's advocacy of mandatory cyclical accreditation.
