The Class of 2025The Graduate Divide:
Expectations vs. Reality for the Class of 2025
College students preparing to enter the workforce this spring are broadly optimistic about their prospects. They are entering a job market in which private sector companies are still adding jobs, but the macro-environment is not stress-free as the labor market gradually cools and uncertainty around the impact of tariffs looms in the background.
ZipRecruiter’s recent study of U.S. employers found that 76% planned to expand headcount in 2025, with 53% anticipating modest increases and 23% expecting more significant growth. Will these plans shake out? And how will that translate to hiring for the newest class of labor market entrants?
The class of 2025 expects to find work quickly, and many are beginning their job search well ahead of graduation. Yet for those who already graduated, the job hunt has often proven more protracted, salaries lower than expected, and the transition to work more rigid than they had hoped.
Dual surveys of nearly 3,000 rising and recent college graduates conducted by ZipRecruiter found that graduates' expectations often collide with reality just a few months after getting handed their diplomas.
"Navigating the transition from campus to career can be a challenge for new grads, especially given the unpredictable market this class is stepping into. The grads who come out ahead are those who start their search early, stay open to different paths, and keep at it, even if things don’t go exactly as planned. Remember, your first job isn’t your final destination—it’s just the beginning of your journey."
- Ian Siegel, ZipRecruiter Co-Founder and CEO
01
College Majors
Most rising grads believe their majors are valuable. Among college students preparing to graduate within a year, 73% say their major is “very useful” in opening job opportunities. Only 27% (vs. 30% in 2023) express regret about their field of study. And many are already looking for work: 78% say they’ve started their job search, often many months ahead of graduation.
But among those who graduated within the past year, some of that optimism appears misplaced. While 64% of recent grads say their major has been very useful, that’s 9 points lower than among students still in school. And while just over one in five recent grads say they regret their major choice, not surprisingly that regret is more concentrated among those with lower-paying or less marketable degrees.
We looked at the three stages of the college graduation experience in order to understand the most useful college majors. The top 10 ranking assesses recent graduates’ major selection, their job search experience (e.g. number of jobs they applied to, their interview experience, and time it took to receive an offer) as well as their job outcomes (e.g. schedule flexibility, pay). Nursing or Allied Health Professions topped the charts as the most useful major. Coming in second is Hospitality, Culinary Arts, or Tourism and following in third is Agriculture, Environmental Science or Natural Resources majors. High school seniors (and their parents!) should take note.
Top 10 Most Useful Majors
Based on an in-depth analysis of three stages of the college major experience – major selection, job search experience, and job outcomes
| 1. | Nursing or Allied Health Professions | 6. | Medicine, Pharmacy, or Dentistry |
| 2. | Hospitality, Culinary Arts, or Tourism | 7. | Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences) |
| 3. | Agriculture, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources | 8. | Business Administration, Management, or Marketing |
| 4. | Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement | 9. | Architecture or Urban Planning |
| 5. | Education or Teaching | 10. | English, Literature, or Journalism |
Top 10 Most Regretted Majors
Respondents’ majors who regret their college major and wish they had majored in a different subject instead
| Recent Grads | Rising Grads | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Interdisciplinary or General Studies (46.2%) | 1. | Interdisciplinary or General Studies (61.5%) |
| 2. | Mathematics or Statistics (33.7%) | 2. | Hospitality, Culinary Arts, or Tourism (50%) |
| 3. | Public Health or Health Administration (30.2%) | 3. | Business Administration, Management, Marketing (41.5%) |
| 4. | Architecture or Urban Planning (30%) | 4. | Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil (38.6%) |
| 5. | Political Science, International Relations, or Public Policy (27.9%) | 5. | Finance, Accounting, or Economics (38.4%) |
| 6. | Computer Science, Information Technology, or Data Science (25.8%) | 6. | Physical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences (36.8%) |
| 7. | Finance, Accounting, or Economics (25.6%) | 7. | Communication, Media Studies, or PR (34.1%) |
| 8. | Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil (25%) | 8. | Public Health or Health Administration (34.1%) |
| 9. | Education or Teaching (23.6%) | 9. | Mathematics or Statistics (33.9%) |
| 10. | Psychology (23.3%) | 10. | History or Philosophy (33.3%) |
For both recent and rising grads who regretted their majors, the largest majority now wish they had instead studied Business Administration, Management, or Marketing at 22% and 41.5%, respectively. Following closely behind was a preference to major in Finance, Accounting, or Economics for 21.4% of recent grads and 24.6% of rising grads. Additionally, 20.4% of recent grads would have preferred an Engineering degree, and 12.2% of rising grads would have preferred a degree in Computer Science, IT, or Data Science.
02
The Job Search
Students overwhelmingly expect a quick transition from campus to career: 82% expect to start working within three months of graduating. In reality, the job hunt has often proven more protracted for recent grads—only 77% of recent grads started work that quickly and 5% of them are still searching for their first job.
The gap is even wider when it comes to time off. Only 47% of rising grads say they want to take a break between school and work. But in practice, 59% of recent grads did take time off, and over 40% say it wasn’t by choice.
Rising grads are, however, starting to gain steam when it comes to the application process. On average, nearly half of all soon-to-be grads have already applied to 1-5 jobs, and another 20% have applied to upwards of 10 positions. More than two-thirds of rising grads have already completed at least one job interview, while approximately 18% have conducted 4-6 interviews, on average. By comparison, the Class of 2023 had an average of 9 job interviews.
Students studying business and finance-related fields have inked the most job offers thus far, with 30.6% getting at least one offer and another 35.8% landing 2-3 offers ahead of graduation. Comparatively, 21% of recent grads in the field say they landed a job ahead of graduation, with a large majority (68.3%) saying it took upwards of 6 months to secure their first job.
| Time it Took for Recent Grads to Secure Their First Job | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Category | Before graduation | Within 3 months after graduation | 4–6 months after graduation | 7–12 months after graduation | Over 1 year after graduation |
| Business & Finance | 20.6% | 45.7% | 22.5% | 6.4% | 1.5% |
| Health | 20.7% | 33.8% | 28.6% | 8.8% | 0.9% |
| Humanities | 21.4% | 32.4% | 28.9% | 9.8% | 1.2% |
| Social Sciences | 24.1% | 40.1% | 22.4% | 5.8% | 1.0% |
| STEM | 19.9% | 38.4% | 27.4% | 8.9% | 1.6% |
| Other Majors | 21.2% | 38.6% | 28.1% | 3.5% | 1.8% |
How are grads actually finding their jobs? Among recent grads, 29.8% say they found their first job through a job board (up from 22% in 2023), while nearly 17% say referrals/networking and school resources, such as job fairs on campus, led to landing their first role. Interestingly, only 9.7% of recent grads say an internship or apprenticeship helped them land a job, whereas a staggering almost 40% of rising grads are expecting those roles to help them find a job.
| The Reality of Internships and Apprenticeships | |
|---|---|
| Recent Grads | Rising Grads |
| 9.7% | 39.8% |
| Say they helped land a job | Say they helped land a job |
03
Workplace Expectations
College students continue to place a high premium on workplace flexibility. 90% say schedule flexibility is important, and 82% hope to work remotely at least one day a week—with 44% hoping to work remotely more than half of the week (3+ days). The interest in remote work has staying power, with 33% of the Class of 2023 preferring fully remote work.
But once they enter the workforce, many grads face a reality check. More than one-third of recent grads work entirely on-site, and only 36% report working remotely more than half of the week (3+ days). And while 90% hoped for schedule flexibility, just 29% describe their current hours as “very flexible.”
| Remote Work | |
|---|---|
| Recent Grads | Rising Grads |
| 36% | 44% |
| Actually work remotely more than half the week | Hope to work more than half the week |
Today’s graduates are also wary of intrusive management: 72% of recent grads say their productivity is monitored closely, and 22% say it’s to a “concerning degree.”
Interestingly, grads appear more open to labor organizing than past generations. More than half of both rising and recent grads say they would support unionizing their workplace—although enthusiasm is modest, with relatively few strongly opposed.
AI and tech are also influencing grads' perspectives and experience. In the wake of high-profile layoffs in the tech sector, 13% of students say they’ve abandoned plans to work in tech. Another 10% of recent grads say the same. Additionally, 46.9% of new grads and 45.5% of rising grads believe their field has or will have fewer jobs due to AI.
"Flexibility remains a top priority for new graduates, yet the reality of today’s workplace often requires adaptability. While many employers are embracing hybrid work, not all roles can support full-time remote options. The best approach for grads is to communicate their needs while demonstrating value—flexibility is often earned through trust and performance. Stay open to different work arrangements, focus on building skills, and seek environments that align with your long-term goals. The workplace is evolving, and those who approach it with a growth mindset will thrive."
- Amy Garefis, Chief People Officer, ZipRecruiter
04
Inflation, Salaries & Loans
Inflation is also weighing on the minds of both groups. Nearly half of students say they plan to negotiate for a higher salary to preserve their expected standard of living. But many recent grads say they weren’t able to pull it off: 42% ended up lowering their lifestyle expectations because they couldn’t get the pay they wanted, and only 31% were able to demand higher pay.
That mismatch may explain why only 18% of recent grads say their salary exceeded their expectations. Nearly 30% say they’re earning less than expected and another 11% report earning way below expectations, while 41% say their salary came in right around what they had anticipated.
The average starting pre-tax income for recent grads surveyed was $68,400, a stark difference when compared to what rising grads expect: $101,500 on average
Expectations vs. Reality
What Grads Want & What They Are Really Getting Paid
| Recent Grads | Rising Grads |
| $68.4k | $101.5K |
| Average annual pre-tax salary | Anticipated average annual pre-tax salary |
Interestingly, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources majors report making the most in their first year, at approx. $85,000. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement grads reported earning an average of $77,300 and both Computer Science and Engineering grads cited an average income of approx. $75,000. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, and/or Design majors are making the least income with an average salary of just $48,000.
For grads looking to land a six-figure salary, it pays to have studied in high-demand fields. According to ZipRecruiter’s marketplace data, the top fields to land a six-figure starting salary include Consulting, Program Management, and Nursing.
Top 10 Fields to Land a 6-Figure Starting Salary
| 1. | Consulting | 6. | Business Development |
| 2. | Program Management | 7. | Data Specialist |
| 3. | Nursing | 8. | Home Health Care |
| 4. | Industrial Maintenance | 9. | Real Estate Sales |
| 5. | Telecommunications | 10. | Procurement |
Both groups are also attuned to broader economic signals. Student loan policy is proving consequential. Among students, 51% say Biden administration actions on loan forgiveness influenced their job plans—in some cases, enabling them to pursue lower-paying but more fulfilling work. Among recent grads, 37% say the policy allowed them to take a job they otherwise wouldn’t have accepted.
05
The Gender Divide
While there certainly are many similarities for graduates entering the labor force, there are clear gender-based differences in career expectations and outcomes. For example, while men tend to demand higher salaries post-graduation, women, on the other hand, secure jobs earlier but often accept their first offer at a higher rate.
Men were more likely to regret their major than women, with men regretting their major selection 14.5% more than women before graduating and 17.0% more after graduating. However, the genders were divided on what majors they would have preferred. Women were nearly twice as likely to prefer healthcare majors to men, while men leaned more favorably into STEM (+66.3%) and Business (+50.7%) majors.
Although both genders overestimated the usefulness of their majors, men were more likely to find their majors very useful in opening up job opportunities post graduation than women (69.2% versus 60%).
During the job search process, both men and women had roughly the same number of interviews before an offer, but women were more likely to apply to five or fewer jobs before receiving an offer (45.6% versus 38.5%). Women were also 23.1% more likely to secure their first job before graduation relative to men.
Overall, men viewed the interview process more favorably than women (82.6% vs. 77.8%). This might explain why women were 20.1% more likely to accept the first offer they received.
Prior to graduation, both men and women equally expected to lower their standard of living due to recent inflation, but post graduation more women lowered their standard of living (45.5% versus 37.8%) while men were more likely to have demanded a higher salary to keep up with inflation (32.6% vs 29.8%).
Among recent graduates, women earned $67,500 and men $72,700 per year right out of the gate, on average. In other words, women have average earnings 93% as high as those for men. Not only is their average pay lower, but women were more likely to say that their current pay is lower than what they expected at the start of their job search (42% vs 39%).
| The Gender Pay Divide | |
|---|---|
| Females | Males |
| $67.5k | $72.7k |
| Average annual pre-tax salary | Average annual pre-tax salary |
While both genders report less schedule flexibility and ability to work from home than they were hoping for, men have more control over their working schedule than women (83% vs. 78%). And while women have a slight edge in being fully remote (12.4% vs. 11.6%), men are more likely to have the option to work at home at least half of the week (38.2% vs. 33.3%).
"For graduates navigating the job market, it’s important to research salary benchmarks thoroughly and negotiate confidently. Don't shy away from exploring career paths outside of traditional gender norms—your potential is not limited by statistics. Also consider long-term job flexibility and growth opportunities when making career decisions, not just immediate pay."
- Sam DeMase, ZipRecruiter Career Expert
06
Where to Look for Work
So where should grads look first when trying to get a job? Based on entry-level roles requiring a bachelor's degree on ZipRecruiter, the top industries hiring the most entry-level roles include Nursing, Special Education and Electronics Engineering.
Top 10 Industries Hiring for Entry-Level Roles
| 1. | Nursing | 6. | Program Management |
| 2. | Special Education | 7. | Medical Assistants, Technicians, & Aides |
| 3. | Electronics Engineering | 8. | Operations |
| 4. | Government Services | 9. | Primary Education |
| 5. | Sales | 10. | Security |
According to ZipRecruiter’s marketplace data, many entry-level jobs for bachelor’s degree holders – unsurprisingly – are in major metros. Leading is New York, with a diverse economy in finance, tech, healthcare, and media. Chicago follows with business, logistics, and engineering opportunities, while Boston excels in education, healthcare, and biotech. Also among the top five is Philadelphia, with a strong footprint in pharmaceuticals and finance, and Los Angeles, a hotspot for entertainment and tech. These metros provide a strong foundation for recent graduates, offering a mix of industries, career paths, and economic stability.
Top 10 Metros with Most Entry-Level Roles
for Bachelors Degree Holders
| 1. | New York | 6. | Dallas |
| 2. | Chicago | 7. | Washington D.C. |
| 3. | Boston | 8. | Minneapolis |
| 4. | Philadelphia | 9. | St. Louis |
| 5. | Los Angeles | 10. | Houston |
To better hone their resumes, grads should take note of the top requested soft skills employers are looking for. Based on thousands of job postings on ZipRecruiter’s marketplace, innovation and collaboration top the charts as the top soft skills employers want for entry-level roles requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top 5 Soft Skills Employers Are Looking For
| 1. | Innovation |
| 2. | Collaboration |
| 3. | Communication Skills |
| 4. | Flexibility |
| 5. | Detail Oriented |
For today’s graduates, navigating the job market requires a mix of preparation, flexibility, and perspective. While expectations and outcomes don’t always align, the class of 2025 is entering a job market with opportunity, especially for those who start early, stay informed, and use the right tools to accelerate their search.
Methodology
The 2025 Graduate report is based on an online sample and conducted by PureSpectrum between February 28 and March 19, to explore recent and rising graduates’ attitudes and experiences as they enter the U.S. labor market. The survey was administered to a panel of 3,000+ verified recent and rising undergraduate students. All respondents were between the ages of 20 and 29 and currently living in the United States. Recent graduates must have received their Bachelor’s degree within the last year. Rising graduates must be primarily part-time or full-time students graduating within the next year.
In addition to standard screening and demographic questions, respondents were asked about their job search experience, pay expectations, job preferences and future job market expectations. Additional findings regarding prevalence and distribution of these experiences and expectations across the recent and rising graduates cohorts by demographic and college majors is available by request.