Key points:
- Students need support in building a successful launch plan for life after college
- 6 aspects of today’s student experience in higher ed
- 5 things to know about the higher ed student experience
- For more news on the student experience, visit eCN’s Student Success hub
Nine in 10 recent college graduates say they had a positive college experience, and 84 percent maintain a positive outlook on their lives overall, according to a new study.
How America Succeeds After College 2025, by Sallie Mae and Ipsos, reveals 82 percent of recent graduates are employed, with 74 percent working in a field related to their degree. Just 14 percent of recent graduates say they feel unsuccessful after college.
In addition, of the 47 percent of recent graduates who borrowed to help pay for school, 75 percent say they are confident in their ability to repay their student loans. Nearly half of recent graduates (48 percent) say they follow a budget, and 94 percent are pursuing at least one near-term financial goal including saving for retirement (47 percent), saving for a major purchase (44 percent), or building an emergency fund (37 percent).
“Despite attending college and graduating during a pandemic, recent graduates were able to land jobs and are generally optimistic about their future,” said Annaleise Lohr, director, Ipsos. “The research highlights the resilience of this generation as they navigate the college-to-career transition and the clear connection between intentional planning–both academic and financial–and strong outcomes after college.”
The study offers additional insights and factors driving recent graduates’ sense of success after college:
- Recent graduates view success as achieving a balance between life and career. Financial health is the top indicator of success, cited by 46 percent of graduates, followed by mental health (36 percent) and career prospects (30 percent). While 70 percent of recent college graduates rate their mental health positively, it is also one of the top areas they want to improve (40 percent).
- Planning ahead for higher education pays off. Seventy-five percent of recent graduates who developed a plan for how to pay for all years of college before enrolling report they feel successful, compared to 54 percent of non-planners.
- Tapping career resources on campus can be a game-changer, but not many students utilize them. Just 37 percent of recent graduates used their school’s career resources. However, of those who did, 82 percent secured a first job in their field of study. Overall, 64 percent of recent graduates regret not taking full advantage of the college experience and resources.
- Most recent graduates worked while in school. Eight in 10 (83 percent) recent graduates worked in some capacity during their college career. Nearly half (47 percent) held an off-campus job, 31 percent worked on campus, and 29 percent had an internship. Graduates who had an internship while in college were more likely to be employed in their field of study and feel very successful after graduation.
“This report confirms higher education continues to deliver for recent graduates,” said Rick Castellano, vice president, Sallie Mae. “That said, students also need support in building a successful launch plan for life after college. That includes talking about finances early and often, using career resources and seeking out internships, and building smart financial habits along the way.”
This press release originally appeared online.
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