Students are unsure about higher ed's value, but strongly support AI
AI in Education

Students are unsure about higher ed’s value, but strongly support AI


Higher education is at a crossroads as students navigate rising costs, time constraints, and a rapidly evolving job market that demands real-world experience

Key points:

American students are questioning whether higher education is the path to a successful career–but it remains evident that students believe AI is beneficial to learning.

Although only 34 percent of surveyed U.S. students said the value of a college degree is “high,” it’s expected that 72 percent of jobs will require some form of postsecondary education or training by 2031, according to VitalSource‘s Digital Tools and the Modern Learner, which offers insights into how digital learning should play a role in higher education.

The report sheds light on student perceptions of the value of higher education, preferences for ancillary education costs, and expectations on digitally-enhanced and AI learning tools.  

The report notes that improving the number of students who think a college degree has high value is possible–in fact, 58 percent of respondents noted that a flat rate tuition that includes course materials would “alleviate their concerns about higher education.”

“The value of a higher education degree is in question amongst college-aged individuals,” said Michael Hale, chief learning officer at VitalSource. “However, insights from the report show a clear path forward for institutions to better align the higher education experience with work environments by leveraging learning technologies and making it easier for students to access all the tools they need to thrive.” 

Eighty-two percent of all survey respondents reported moderate to extreme concern about the overall cost of higher education, with 51 percent saying they are extremely concerned.

Nearly half (48 percent) said that AI-powered test-prep tools were either likely or extremely likely to improve their course experience–up 19 percent from respondents enrolled prior to 2023. 

Sixty-one percent of survey participants said they have used AI tools in their coursework at least once. Many noted that AI helps them complete coursework faster, reducing the time pressure they already feel due to attending classes, completing coursework, and work and/or family obligations.

Students noted that AI also helps them prepare for tests and evaluations.

While research on AI is still in its infancy, for the most part, students report greater satisfaction when AI is woven into the learning experience.

The report offers four recommendations for institutions to implement AI-enhanced course materials:

  • Consider the problems your institution is trying to solve to clearly map out the AI tools needed–scaling effectively and accordingly along the way
  • Create policies to ensure educators and students incorporate AI appropriately
  • Get instructors and professors to adopt and promote the use of AI in their materials, as they have the greatest influence over student interactions with learning resources
  • Partner with a provider of AI tools built on learning science to reduce risk for students who may instinctively rely on less-regulated and sometimes inaccurate generative AI models

Material from a press release was used in this report.

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Laura Ascione
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