Key Points on New Study Reveals 70%
- 90% of recent college graduates report a positive college experience, but only 70% say it was worth the cost. New Study Reveals 70% Of College
- Graduates who made academic and financial plans in advance are more likely to feel successful. New Study Reveals 70%
- Job placement and higher self-reported success strongly correlate with access to internships and campus career services.
According to the 2025 edition of How America Succeeds After College, published by Sallie Mae and Ipsos, the vast majority of young adults who completed college in the last five years say they had a positive experience. In total, 90% rated their college years positively, including 26% who said the experience was excellent and 39% who called it very good.
Despite this, only 70% said the cost of college was justified. That leaves nearly one-third of graduates uncertain or dissatisfied when comparing what they paid to what they received. Among those who said they felt “very successful” post-graduation, 84% believed their education was worth it. But among those who felt neutral or unsuccessful, that figure dropped to 53%.
- 74% of recent graduates work in a field they studied, accounting for 82% of their employment.
- 75% of borrowers are confident that they can repay their loans
- 84% have a positive outlook on their lives and believe their income will improve over the next 5 years
The results show that while satisfaction with the college experience remains high, doubts linger over affordability and long-term value.
Planning Ahead Makes A Big Difference: A New Study Reveals 70%
Graduates who entered college with a clear financial and academic strategy were more likely to feel satisfied with their outcomes. Three out of four graduates who created a plan to pay for all years of college before enrolling said they felt successful in life after college, compared to just 54% of those who did not have a plan.
The same pattern held true for career preparation. Only 37% of graduates reported using their school’s career services, but those who did were significantly more likely to land jobs in their field of study. Eighty-two percent of those who accessed these services secured employment in a related role. Conversely, 64% of all graduates said they regretted not taking full advantage of available campus resources. New Study Reveals 70%
Internships also made a difference. Graduates who held internships while in college were not only more likely to be employed in their field but also more likely to describe themselves as “very successful” after graduation.
Career And Financial Success: A New Study Reveals 70%
Grads continue to associate success with stability across multiple parts of their lives. The top three indicators of success cited in the study were financial health (46%), mental health (36%), and career progress (30%). While 70% rated their mental health positively, 40% also said they wanted to improve it.
In terms of employment, 82% of recent graduates were working, and 74% reported that their job aligned with their degree.
Most graduates (especially those who borrowed) felt confident about their ability to repay their student loans. Among borrowers, 75% expressed repayment confidence, and 74% said they would have rather borrowed than skipped college altogether.
Nearly all recent graduates (94%) are working toward at least one financial goal. The most common include saving for retirement (47%), saving for a major purchase (44%), and building an emergency fund (37%).
What Families Should Take Away From This: New Study Reveals 70%
The key takeaway from this study should be that college is still worth it—as long as families don’t overpay. College allows graduates to land jobs and earn more over their careers. College can also provide a valuable skillset for life after graduation. But it’s worth it. New Study Reveals 70%