Join/Renew
Although the Class of 2025 faced a tough job market, they responded in ways that suggest they were aware of the challenges they were facing. A number of results from NACE’s 2025 Student Survey support this.
First, when compared to those who graduated in 2024, the Class of 2025 started their job search earlier—6.4 months prior to graduation on average, compared to 6 months among 2024 graduates. The Class of 2025 also submitted more job applications than their 2024 counterparts at 10 and six, respectively.
Members of the Class of 2025 received fewer job offers on average than those graduating with the Class of 2024, however, they accepted those offers at a higher rate. (See Figures 1 and 2.)
Their uncertainty can also be seen in their postgraduation plans: Compared to earlier classes, they were more likely to say they were unsure about their plans, and more were planning to enter the military, suggesting they were unsure about private-sector employment. Also, fewer said they were going to work for the federal government. (See Figure 3.)
NACE’s 2025 Student Survey, sponsored by Indeed, was conducted April 1 through May 30, 2025; 13,684 college students, including 1,479 Class of 2025 graduating seniors at the bachelor’s degree level, took part. Participants can access the report and dashboard through MyNACE. The report and dashboard are also available in the NACE Store.
