For the first time in its research, NACE asked employers a series of questions about online degrees. The findings are great news in terms of equity and access to education.

NACE’s Job Outlook 2024 survey found that among employers that capture their new hires’ degree modality, 87.4% hired new college graduates with an online degree.

Moreover, there is no difference in starting salary as 100% of these employers reported that they pay new hires who earned online degrees the same as those with in-person degrees.

Data for the Job Outlook 2024 survey were collected from August 2, 2023, through September 18, 2023. Of the 255 total respondents, 180 were NACE employer members, representing 20.3% of eligible member respondents. The Job Outlook 2024 survey was also distributed to nonmember companies, from which an additional 75 responses were received. NACE members can access the Job Outlook 2024 report in MyNACE.