This quantitative comparative research study examines the career maturity of student-athletes in comparison to non-athletes at a Division I university. The study also measures differences in career maturity among student-athletes based on gender, class level, race/ethnicity, by sport, by type of sport (revenue/non-revenue), and professional sports aspirations. Super's Theory of Career Development served as the theoretical framework, while disproportionate stratified sampling was utilized to secure the student-athlete (N=122) and non-athlete (N=171) participants. Data collection occurred via an online survey comprised of the 25-question Career Maturity Inventory-Revised Attitude Scale (CMI-R/AS), as well as 13 demographic and supplemental questions. An analysis of the data indicated that student-athletes exhibited lower levels of career maturity compared to non-athletes, though the difference was not highly significant. The data also yielded the following key findings. First, as student-athletes' belief in their likelihood that they would play professional sports decreased, their levels of career maturity increased. Next, student-athletes competing in football, baseball, and men's basketball exhibited the lowest levels of career maturity across sports. In addition, student-athletes who identified most with their athletic identities exhibited lower levels of career maturity. Finally, as class level and year of eligibility increased, student-athletes' levels of career maturity increased. The study concludes with some recommendations on how to engage student-athletes in the career development process and some suggestions for future research.

This quantitative study compared the career maturity of student-athletes and nonathletes at a Division I university, and assessed career maturity differences among student-athletes. Super's Theory of Career Development served as the theoretical framework, while the Career Maturity Inventory-Revised Attitude Scale (CMI-R/ AS) was utilized to collect data. Student-athletes were found to exhibit lower levels of career maturity than non-athletes. Among student-athletes, males scored lower on career maturity than females. Additionally, those identifying more closely with their athletic identities, those with higher aspirations to play professional sports, those with stronger beliefs in the likelihood that they would play professional sports, and those competing in revenue sports (football and men's basketball) had lower levels of career maturity. Finally, as year of athletic eligibility increased, student-athletes' career maturity increased.