Key points:
- Tech use, AI, and workforce preparation are key to today’s student experience
- Tech to the rescue: Turning the tide on first-year dropout rates
- Why campus mental health support is critical for students
- For more news on the student experience, visit eCN’s Student Well-Being hub
Higher education isn’t standing still–it’s transforming every day, driven by new technologies, changing student expectations, shifting job market demands, and the powerful influence of broader cultural trends.
Today’s college experience looks far different than it did a decade ago, constantly reshaped by innovation. The 2025 Students and Technology Report: Shaping the Future of Higher Education Through Technology, Flexibility, and Well-Being, a new report from EDUCAUSE, examines what students’ higher-ed experience looks like now, highlighting six essential aspects of student experiences in higher education.
The report offers insights into how institutions can adapt to meet student needs and enhance their learning experience and preparation for the workforce.
Satisfaction with technology-related services and supports
While 69 percent of students said they were satisfied with their institution’s tech services and support, 72 percent still rated their school’s use of technology to enhance learning as just average.
Students who saw their institution as a leader in adopting new technology reported much higher satisfaction with tech services and support (85 percent) compared to those who viewed their school as average (68 percent) or lagging behind (34 percent).
Modality preferences
Across different types of synchronous learning activities, students expressed a stronger preference for on-site courses compared to the results from the 2023 Students and Technology Report. The shift was especially notable for lab or interactive work (up 9 percentage points), instructor-led lectures (up 8 points), and exams (up 6 points).
Hybrid learning experiences
Although there was a modest rise in the number of students who reported taking a hybrid course (+7 percentage points since 2023), the vast majority (80 percent) have completed only one to three hybrid courses.
While 70 percent of students agreed that expectations for engagement in hybrid courses were clearly communicated and 59 percent felt their instructors were effective in teaching hybrid formats, challenges remained around consistency. Fewer than half (48 percent) of students agreed that instructors consistently applied hybrid learning practices across their courses.
Generative AI in the classroom
Student use of generative AI in courses remains relatively limited, with 43 percent reporting they haven’t used it at all. Among those who have, the most common uses were brainstorming (33 percent), refining ideas (24 percent), and organizing work (24 percent). Hesitation or underreporting around AI use may stem from concerns about academic misconduct, uncertainty over instructor expectations, and restrictive policies–only 51 percent of students said they received guidance on AI use, and 52 percent reported that most instructors prohibit it.
“Concerns about AI misuse may be overshadowing its potential, leaving students hesitant to engage–with 43 percent saying they don’t use generative AI for their courses,” Nicole Muscanell, researcher at EDUCAUSE. “It’s not that students don’t see the value–in fact, 55 percent expect to use AI in their future careers. But unclear rules and fear of academic consequences may be keeping them from speaking up or using it openly.”
Workforce preparation
Students place greater importance on “soft skills” than technical abilities, ranking interpersonal and communication skills as the most valuable career competencies. In contrast, technology-related skills–both non-AI and AI–were among the least prioritized, selected by only 1 percent and 3 percent of respondents, respectively. While more than 70 percent of students said they feel well prepared in most career competencies, fewer than 35 percent reported feeling confident in their preparation for working with AI and other technologies.
Accessibility and mental health
Although a higher percentage of students reported having a mental health disorder (up 14 percentage points since 2023), this didn’t lead to a notable increase in those registering with their institution’s accessibility or disability services. Just over half of students (55 percent) expressed satisfaction with their institution’s mental health services and efforts, a decline of 13 percentage points since 2023. Only half (50 percent) of respondents indicated that it was clear and easy to access their institution’s mental health and well-being supports.
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